Book Title: Lincoln's Diary
Author: DL Fowler
Publisher: Harbor Hill Publishing
ISBN: 9780615445533
Reviewed by Michele Tater For the Couch Tater Review

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ~Abraham Lincoln

After Sarah's mother dies, she is left with the task of going through the house, that was home to her, her mother and grandmother for as long as she can remember. Also she is looking for clues about the mystery men in her life; her grandfather and father. Unfortunately, Sarah doesn't find anything but the journal of her Grandma Cassie. The journal becomes more than the thoughts and experience of her grandmother, however, so much more that someone is going to great lengths to get a hold of it. One mention in the journal, becomes a shocking and unbelievable piece of historical importance: that there is a diary written by Abraham Lincoln himself. As she tries to locate the before mentioned document a possible lead turns up murdered and Sarah is the main suspect. What has she gotten herself into? Will finding the diary help her find out who her grandfather and father were and in turn help her find herself?

I was pleasantly surprised with the reading of this book. At first I thought it would be too history involved and not entertaining at all. Boy, was I wrong. It has a suspenseful story line and a main character that the reader can see themselves going on quite a journey with. I would not stop at saying that it has twist and turns, it was more like swirls and tornadoes. The reader is not able to tell who is the “good” guys and who are the “bad” guys until the amazing written ending. I was even more awed that this the first novel from this talented author, which I hope means he has more books up his sleeve to entertain us with. ( )

My Humble Review:
I need to tell you right up front that I've been a devotee of the Lincolns since I was 10 years old...that would be about 50 years, then.

I'm most intrigued, admittedly, with Mary Todd Lincoln. She was a Southern girl...a lady by all standards of the word, a tiny, feminine thing; one accustomed to delicacies and the sweet graces of needlework, reading and music, she had maids and servants, albeit slaves. These were the times, and these were the amenities of her very well-to-do station in her life. The Todds were a family of renown and respect, as well as of wealth. Mary Todd was a young woman sought after by highly desirable young men of station and society. She was known for her loveliness, her intelligence and her social abilities.

Why, then, would she forego all of the above and choose a rather clumsy, too tall, not exactly handsome, poor man from a destitute farm in a state not really recognized as the genteel South? It continues to flabbergast me! But, trusting her instincts as I've come to, I know she saw in him and felt it strongly, a flash of greatness. She must have seen a brilliance that out-shown all the men she'd ever known or met in her life. He must have had a quiet dignity or gentleness or persuasiveness of men that made her give up and give in all she had and could have had. I find that just startling. Also, she chased him until he married her!

I started from that perspective because I wanted to view "Lincoln's Diary" from a woman's eyes. Fowler's use of Sarah, his daunting and tireless protagonist, was someone I could get hold of as a woman obsessed and relentless, wanting to find out the mystery of her grandfather's lost Lincoln's diary; and, the consequences of following the trail to it.

DL Fowler is a writer who will grab you by the nape of your neck and have you carrying his book around with you all day. You'll be obsessed with it, so you may as well take in the car with you, and take it to work, too...for lunch. Sneak reads whenever and wherever you can because you'll want to know what happens! This one's going to shake you like a yorkshire terrier.

Having understood we don't know all that's going on behind the scenes at top levels of our government, I enjoy the many books written about conspiracies surrounding Washington. Some are great reads, and some are so-so. I recall reading somewhere about a certain private library that only the President has a key and code to so he can read the letters and diaries of former Presidents and such. These writings are to have such information that's never been revealed to the public; such as, the real truth about JFK, Area 51, and other things. "The Lincoln Diary" put me in mind of that library...in the sense that things may sometimes happen in Washington and amongst men that we can never know or prove.

This is a perfect read for women and men this summer. It's fast paced. The writing is excellent. And, Mr. Fowler knows his way around a "maneuver" or two which adds suspense and action to his prose. A novel I recommend without reservation.

Please see more about Mr. Fowler at:
http://www.dlfowler.com/Lincoln_s_Diary.html

The Bookish Dame/Deborah ( )