A great book for history buffs! It delves into the mind of Mary Surrat, hanged as a conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln. The story's events are plausible. It makes the reader wonder what Mrs. Surrat knew, and when she knew it! ( )

I read historical fiction almost exclusively, and unfortunately there's a lot of hist fic out there which leaves me dissatisfied. Some of it is dry because the writer is too in love with her research. Other writers are so in love with their own language that the characters feel equally distant. But Ms. Higginbotham finds just the right balance between accuracy and powerful writing. Her characters feel like real people.

Which may sound funny, since they WERE real people, but I think this put an even greater burden on Ms. Higginbotham. I'm fairly familiar with the Lincoln assassination. My own first attempt at historical fiction (in middle school) involved me going back in time and trying to save our 16th president (spoiler: I failed). Now, I live in the DC area. I've visited Surratt's Tavern, her boardinghouse on H Street (a Chinese restaurant today), and attended plays at Ford's Theatre. So I think my expectations were particularly high on this one--and Ms. Higginbotham delivered.

The first half of the novel is delightful--not something I thought I'd ever say about a book centered on Lincoln's assassination--as we get to know Mary Surratt and her boarders, including a cat named Mr. Rochester. Ms. Higginbotham does a great job humanizing the (possible) conspirators. The Catholic aspects were also of great interest to me, since my own current project involves 19th century American Catholics.

The second half of the novel is sad, of course, as we watch the inevitable happen while the characters remain ignorant of their fates. I did feel the trial got a bit tedious, but I realize this is simply a reflection of the real trial. My other nit-picky complaint is that I would've liked to see Mary interacting with her black servants at least once; they're merely shadows. Also, I wish the audiobook had had two narrators, one for Nora and one for Mary. But this isn't Ms. Higginbotham's fault.

My favorite line came near the end, when Nora (I think) observes that Lincoln himself would have shown mercy and pardoned Mary.

Overall, Ms. Higginbotham did an excellent job of taking a dour subject and several potentially despicable characters and breathing new life into them in a way that made me, a profound Lincoln admirer, willing to forgive them too. After all, there are two sides to every story. I'm so glad Ms. Higginbotham explored this one. ( )

Washington, D.C. 1865. The Civil War is winding down. Widow Mary Surratt -- a Southern sympathizer whose elder son is off somewhere in the Confederate Army -- along with her daughter Anna, moves into the city from the tavern in Maryland her husband ran to take possession of another property, which she turns into a boarding house. One of her first boarders is Honora (Nora to everyone) Fitzpatrick, a lively young lady. Mary's son John is also a frequent resident, along with his friends and associates, including the renowned actor John Wilkes Booth (with whom both young ladies are quickly smitten). Some nefarious plot to benefit the dying Confederacy seems to be afoot, of which Mary becomes only gradually aware as her son's involvement in the scheme deepens. The plot is aimed at President Lincoln, but it is only after his assassination that the full extent of conspiracy is revealed. -- The story is told in alternating chapters by Mary and Nora, leading up to Mrs. Surratt's conviction by a military tribunal and execution. Involving, with good characterizations, but not the last word in historical fiction, IMHO. ( )

If you aren’t an Abraham Lincoln history buff, the name Mary Surratt won’t mean anything. Mary was the boarding house owner where John Wilkes Booth met with his fellow conspirators. She is also the first woman executed by the U. S. government.
A lot is known about Mary, biographical information mainly. But the truth of her role, or non-role, in Lincoln’s assassination is mystery to this day. In this first historical fiction work, which I know of, author Susan Higginbotham weaves an interesting story about Mary, John Wilkes Booth, Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt, and the others who played major roles in killing Lincoln. One of the questions that has haunted historians is what role did John Surratt, Mary’s son, play in the assassination and why did he never return to defend his mother after she was arrested?
Billed as the “The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Assassination,” Higginbotham tells the story from two viewpoints. First is Mary, then one of her boarders, Miss Nora Fitzpartick. Of course, Nora’s appearance, which I knew nothing of, sent me scouring Google to determine if she was a real character, or a plot device. She is real, although not much is known about her.
The story begins in August 1864 and ends on July 7, 1865, immediately after the hangings. There is an Epilogue for Nora that in June 1869.
I liked the back and forth of the narrative between Mary and Nora. It provides a realistic look at the time and at the players, especially the charming Mr. Booth. I didn’t get swept up in the story like I had hoped. That’s why I give Hanging Mary 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

In this work of historical fiction, author Susan Higginbotham has given us a fresh look at a woman who was caught up in the fringe of a conspiracy that ultimately led to her downfall. Always protecting her children, and especially fearful for son’s activities, Mary Surratt agrees to help him in his quest to support the Confederacy. All the inhabitants of her boarding house, including her daughter Anna, are enamored with the handsome Mr. Booth and thrilled when he comes to visit. But this admiration comes to an abrupt end when President Lincoln is assassinated and Booth is on the run. Soon, anyone associated with him is rounded up and arrested. Mary is no exception, and it is only a matter of time before her involvement becomes known. Just how much she knew and what illegal acts she committed may never be known for sure, but in this fascinating account of a captivating time of American history, we see that she may not have been treated justly. This audio version was by expertly performed by Johanna Parker which added greatly to its enjoyment. ( )