Faded Coat of Blue

I heard about a series of mystery novels set during the Civil War a few years ago, but it wasn't until recently that I got around to reading one. The first one in the series is Faded Coat of Blue. They are by Owen Parry, a nom de plume for Ralph Peters.

The highlight of the book is the richness of the detail for life in 1861 Washington, D.C. (with a few scenes set in Philadelphia). Our detective is a Welsh immigrant and veteran of the British adventures in India, Abel Jones, who was wounded at Bull Run. At the beginning of the novel he is a clerk in the woolen department of the Army. He is asked my General George McClellan to investigate the murder of a charismatic young officer and abolitionist.

As mysteries go, this wasn't isn't much of a brainteaser, and relies on atmosphere. Jones is a moralist and bit of a prig, which is a difference from most detective fiction, where the sleuth is dissolute.

I won't be rushing out to read the rest of the books in the series, but I might get around to them at a later time.