The Jackal's Mistress

A Novel

By: Chris Bohjalian

Narrated by: Marni Penning, Chris Bohjalian

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER • #1 BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • USA TODAY BESTSELLER • In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she’s willing to risk for the life of a stranger, from the New York Times bestselling author of such acclaimed historical fiction as Hour of the Witch and The Sandcastle Girls.

Virginia, 1864—Libby Steadman’s husband has been away for so long that she can barely conjure his voice in her dreams. While she longs for him in the night, fearing him dead in a Union prison camp, her days are spent running a gristmill with her teenage niece, a hired hand, and his wife, all the grain they can produce requisitioned by the Confederate Army. It’s an uneasy life in the Shenandoah Valley, the territory frequently changing hands, control swinging back and forth like a pendulum between North and South, and Libby awakens every morning expecting to see her land a battlefield.

And then she finds a gravely injured Union officer left for dead in a neighbor’s house, the bones of his hand and leg shattered. Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade is her enemy—but he’s also a human being, and Libby must make a terrible decision: Does she leave him to die alone? Or does she risk treason and try to nurse him back to health? And if she succeeds, does she try to secretly bring him across Union lines, where she might negotiate a trade for news of her own husband?

A vivid and sweeping story of two people navigating the boundaries of love and humanity in a landscape of brutal violence, The Jackal’s Mistress is a heart-stopping new novel, based on a largely unknown piece of American history, from one of our greatest storytellers.

Great historical fiction

Love that this book was based on a true story. Strong female protagonists carry the story forward with propulsive movement.

Excellent

I really enjoyed this listen, it met all my expectations for a Chris Bohjalian book. The characters felt like real people and the well-written story moved along at a perfect pace. The only thing that felt a bit off the mark and predictable was the romance element. It wasn't necessary. I love that this book was heavily premised on a true story, which had a better, more compelling ending.

All in all, this one is well worth a credit.

Love the characters

Every character was written to be as vivid and likable as your favorite friend. The storyline contained all the feels.
The narrator(a) brought this story to its full beautiful life.

A unique story set in the Civil War, relatable characters representing the rebels and the Yankees.

I would add extra stars in each category if available. A poignant story of families intertwined, doing what they believe is right in the war, in their relationships and in order to survive. Accurate history with a unique story. Perfect narration! The epilogue, author’s notes & interview of the author were fantastic as well.

Such a good book!!

Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors and this book will give you a reason why.
So very good. I loved every character in this book!
Highly recommend. Don't start listening unless you are able to listen from start to finish in one sitting!
The narration was the best!

Real history

Loved the writer’s account of the true story basis. There were some weird edits where the reader’s voice fluctuates strangely. I enjoyed the story. Would recommend. After hearing the true basis I like that ending a bit better.

Historic

Very interesting historical content humanized. Rich characters. Excellent theatrical reading by various people. Well done!

I listened to this one and finished it the same day.

I liked the story first. The main characters were very well written and compelling so it was not hard to root for them. I was a tiny bit disappointed in the ending. I also completely understand why it was written that way.
An excellent story and listening to it while knitting made for a very pleasant day. I can’t remember the last time I started an audiobook with my morning coffee and finished it by dinner time.

An engrossing story

Liked the setting in VA that I know well. Characters are relatable and memorable. The Epilogue was interesting and helpful to understand where the author found the basis for this engrossing story. One of my favorite Audible books!

Memorable characters, but..

I didn't really like the narrator, so I moved between the audio and a library hardcover. This worked out. and as is sometimes the case, the narrator found a better rhythm. That said, I may avoid this narrator in the future. I enjoy this author and will seek out other titles, since it seems he uses a variety of narrators.