THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS

THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS by Chris Bohjalian

YELLOW LIGHT WITH CAUTION

AGES: ADULT

The Jackal's Mistress is a hauntingly beautiful story set in the midst of the strife of the Civil War. Before I get into the book, I want to mention that while I was captivated by the story, there are a couple of elements to know about before you jump in, so be sure you check out the HEADS UP section.

Libby Steadman has found herself the caretaker of the family lands and mill while her husband is away fighting for the confederates in the Civil War. Even though he's fighting on the side of the south, he and Libby released their slaves before the war began due to their personal convictions. Those that wanted to remain would be treated as hired hands and paid for the work they did around the mill. Two remained - a husband and a wife. Now, the three of them, along with Libby's niece, try and keep operations going as much as possible to provide grain for the southern forces.

When they come across a starving, almost dead Union officer who is far from home and has been left behind in the neighboring, abandoned farmhouse, Libby faces an intense dilemma. Does she take him home defying the side her husband is fighting for, or does she leave him for dead? Deciding that if her husband were to be in the same position she would hope that someone would care for him, she takes Captain Jonathan Weybridge home. In doing so she knows that she has put not only herself but also the others living with her in grave danger. Thus begins the hiding and long recovery of Captain Weybridge (The Jackal), As is often the case where secrets are concerned, it doesn't take long before the rumors begin to fly and the real danger begins. Be prepared for unexpected twists and turns.

HEADS UP -

-Profanity - There is some language including a handful of G**d***s used. There are no f-bombs.

-Sex - There is an attempted rape with very little detail that is unsuccessful.

- There are a couple of flashbacks with no intimate detail about sex between married couples - once between Libby and her husband and once between Captain Weybridge and his wife.

- SPOILER ALERT - In the end, Libby and Jonathan have sex one time. There are no intimate details to this. I have to add that to me this was such a let down after all they had been through together.