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johnw613's review against another edition
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
By the late summer of 1920, the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote had been ratified by 35 of the 48 states. All eyes were on Tennessee where both houses of the state legislature were about evenly divided between those favoring ratification and those opposing it. Elizabeth Bates and her extended family, having been involved in the suffragist movement for several years, journey to Nashville to help the cause. Shifting alliances, pressure from outside corporations, Southern traditionalism, and vivid determination on both sides provide the backdrop for a thrilling historical novel.
As always, author Thompson’s research into period history is deep and informative, and her interplay of actual figures from the time with her fictional characters is seamless. There were times during the run up to the final vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives that the narrative seemed frustrating and tedious, but that is precisely the point of the story: those weeks were tense and unpredictable, and Thompson portrays it all with a deft hand.
As always, author Thompson’s research into period history is deep and informative, and her interplay of actual figures from the time with her fictional characters is seamless. There were times during the run up to the final vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives that the narrative seemed frustrating and tedious, but that is precisely the point of the story: those weeks were tense and unpredictable, and Thompson portrays it all with a deft hand.
alikatson's review
4.0
3.5 - this was a very interesting historical event but I wanted a little bit more from the characters.
shadowmaster13's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chris_is_very_small's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tmoore48's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
iamloislane's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emac021's review
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
reading_srsly's review
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
* Historical Fiction - U.S. Women’s Suffrage
* Political lobbying
* Political lobbying
* Racist/Sexist congressmen
The fight for women’s suffrage finally comes to a head as America votes on the 19th amendment. As the precarious battle begins to wind down, Elizabeth and her friends are called to the tiebreaking state of Tennessee to help with the final lobbying efforts. They have to contend with betrayal, underhanded tactics, free-flowing alcohol, and more to secure the victory they’ve been working towards since the beginning of the series.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a fascinating window into history, and some of the details of the hard-fought battle really do prove that truth is stranger than fiction! Several books worth of set up make it all the more satisfying that the fight has finally reached its conclusion. Admittedly it was a touch repetitive from the dutiful reporting of a fraught cyclical political battle, but the new schemes to be thwarted and ideas to be executed kept things engaging.
However, based on the previous books in the series, this was definitely not what I was expecting. Rather than the intersection of several carefully planned cons for the benefit of someone in need, this novel focused more heavily on the battles within the capitol, and the schemes of the different lobbyists and political parties. The big deception reminiscent of the previous installments in the series was relegated to a minor plotline with only a passing mention.
However, based on the previous books in the series, this was definitely not what I was expecting. Rather than the intersection of several carefully planned cons for the benefit of someone in need, this novel focused more heavily on the battles within the capitol, and the schemes of the different lobbyists and political parties. The big deception reminiscent of the previous installments in the series was relegated to a minor plotline with only a passing mention.
This novel does lean more heavily into the historical context than the others in the series, so if you’re looking for another elaborate deception by our altruistic thieves, you might want to keep searching. But if you’re interested in the inner workings of politics in the 1900s and you’ve been waiting to see how the vote plays out since Elizabeth first stumbled into the workhouse, this one is for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
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