Lincoln's Grave Robbers

Starred review from November 19, 2012
This meticulous and tremendously suspenseful account of the attempted heist of Abraham Lincoln’s body in 1876 reads like a smartly cast fictional crime thriller, with a skillful buildup of tension and sharp character portrayals. Sheinkin (Bomb) lays the groundwork for the plot by delving into the history of counterfeiting, a booming business during and after the Civil War (“By 1864, an astounding 50 percent of the paper money in circulation was fake”). James Kennally, leader of one of the largest counterfeiting rings in the Midwest, masterminded the plot to steal the late president’s body from the Lincoln Monument, outside Springfield, Ill. His intent was to ransom the purloined corpse, hitting up the government for a tidy sum of money and the freedom of his jailed, top-notch engraver. Perhaps the most dynamic player is Lewis Swegles, a shrewd career criminal who juggled double roles as Secret Service informer and alleged conspirator. Sheinkin’s study of Swegles’s thought process and machinations intensifies the drama of the final showdown between the would-be robbers and government officials. A sizzling tale of real-life historical intrigue. Ages 10–14.

Few people know of the 1876 plot to snatch President Lincoln's body and ransom it for money and the release from jail of the era's most notorious counterfeiter, Ben Boyd. The plot was foiled only by the committed work of a Secret Service agent, a stool pigeon, and a loyal groundskeeper. Will Patton narrates this true story with tempered drama, bringing richness to the background material and excitement to the action. Patton's skillful manipulation of volume, pace, and expression catches listeners' attention, keeping them fully invested in Agent Patrick Tyrrell's attempts to thwart the gang of grave robbers. The entire family will enjoy this real-life cat-and-mouse thriller, complete with great characters, bungled plans, well-timed luck, and a spooky graveyard. C.B.L. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine