The Whiskey Rebels

I have to say this for Mr. David Liss - Dude sure knows his economics. "The Whiskey Rebels", while a bit long, was both at least interesting and entertaining. David Liss really had a gift at writing his main characters, especially Ethan Saunders. I really got to like him, and I laughed more than once because of him. Joan Maycott, while a lot less funny, was at least very believable as an independent woman making things happen her own way. I really appreciated that she was written as ruthless as she was, it was a bit redeeming to read a historical novel where the major female character was not a victim nor overly motherly. She made shit happen, and didn't apologise for it.

The mystery itself that drove the story forward was good enough that it wasn't easily figured out in the first few chapters. I've never exactly been Sherlock Holmes myself, but if I can figure out whodunit, then it was way too easy. To decipher this bad boy, you needed to have a strong knowledge of both revolutionary American history and macroeconomics. Obviously, this isn't me.

My only major complaint on this book besides the length was the eye-rolling portrayal of George Washington. Maybe this is because I'm not American, but having your main character go to the omnipotent and Great George Washington to find all the answers? Barf. Now, I am sure that he was a great guy and there is no doubt that he accomplished a lot and fought hard for what he believed in, but really?

Anyway, pretty good book. I give it 3 tricornered hats out of 5, with a bonus raised musket for the cool cover, which is totally what made me pick up the book in the first place. Who judges a book by it's cover? This gal!