Hidden Cargo takes you along a gripping journey through the tumultuous post-Civil War era, blending historical accuracy with a riveting narrative. Set in Key West and Cuba, the story revolves around Acting Navy Lieutenant Everett Townsend, a complex character grappling with a troubled past and uncertain future.

The book explores themes of identity, regret, and societal change, as Townsend confronts his family's involvement in slavery while striving to thwart a sinister human trafficking ring. The hurricane-ravaged Marquesas Keys provide an atmospheric backdrop for a thrilling discovery that sets the stage for Townsend's relentless pursuit of justice.

The heart of the story lies in Townsend's reunion with Emma, a strong-willed Cuban American who has joined the resistance against Spanish rule. Their partnership in uncovering the truth behind the cargo hold's grim secret adds depth to the narrative, combining romance with a suspenseful mystery.

As Townsend navigates a web of intrigue and danger, readers are transported to a vividly rendered post-war world. Hidden Cargo is a compelling historical fiction novel that masterfully weaves together personal and political struggles, making it a must-read for fans of gripping tales set against a backdrop of societal change and moral dilemmas. ( )

The description of this book is what first appealed to me. I love historical fiction, especially when it features places and/or events that I'm not familiar with, so I was looking forward to reading this. It did not disappoint.

This was really well written. It was so atmospheric, the settings were so well rendered, right from the beginning with the fort and during the hurricane, through to the plantations in Cuba.

I liked the main character a lot. Everett Townsend had a strong moral compass, despite his family's history with slavery on the plantation. His grandmother was awful, but he tried to be understanding of and kind toward her, recognizing she was family, in fact the only family he had left. I also liked Emma and the fact that she had a mind of her own.

I hadn't realized this was not the first book about these characters. It worked fine as a standalone. However, I enjoyed this book so much that I am definitely going to seek out the previous installment too. Also, I wonder if perhaps there could be a book after this one, perhaps during the Cuban War for Independence? Although some things are resolved by the end of this book, other things were not and would require time. And I'd just like to see Everrett and Emma again.

I recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction. ( )

Hidden Cargo is a meticulously researched historical novel set in 1865 in Florida and Key West and delves into the little-known history of the slave trade after the end of the Civil War. The story follows Everett Townsend, a Union naval officer, who finds a sinking ship near Key West with drowned slaves locked in the hold who had been bound for Cuba. In his work investigating the illegal trade for the American government, he must confront the horrors of slavery and his own family's role in perpetuating it, as his grandmother is a wealthy Cuban plantation owner.
I was previously unaware that freed slaves, who were American citizens, were kidnapped and sold into the slave trade in Cuba to work the plantations. I appreciated learning about this time in history even though it was difficult to read about. Hidden Cargo was well written and moved quickly, with plenty of tension and danger, especially in the latter two-thirds of the book. Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy to review. ( )

I am a bit of a history buff, so I really enjoyed reading this book! Everett Townsend, a naval officer serving the Union, finds himself caught in a storm during a routine supply mission. He and his crew come across a shipwreck at Marquesas Keys, where they find a group of deceased men who were locked in the cargo hold and left to drown. There’s only one survivor, and he tells Everett his name and where he escaped from before he dies. Everett suspects foul play, but his report receives little attention from the naval commander in Key West. Everett is later given a new assignment to investigate the murder of an American sailor in a Cuban port, which turns out to be linked to the shipwreck they had discovered in Marquesas Keys. This assignment leads him back to Cuba, where he must confront his past, grapple with difficult decisions, and confront his estranged grandmother, a painful reminder of his family’s close ties to slavery.

Everett Townsend is a well-developed character with a complex backstory. He is only twenty-two years old, but he appears to be very mature which can be attributed to his challenging life experiences. Through his internal monologues, readers gain insight into his hidden feelings, current struggles, and glimpses of hope for the future.

It was interesting to learn about Cuba's involvement in the slave trade, a topic that isn't often talked about. The passages describing slave traders and plantation owners treating people as mere commodities were deeply disturbing.

My favorite moment in the book was when Jacobs Levi finally reunited with his sons. His story was heartbreaking, and I was really glad that he was able to find his children.

“Townsend just stood there silently listening. He could only imagine the sadness that this man must feel. He’d fought for the Union, and now, like so many other freedmen, he was in a desperate search for the remnants of his family. The end of the war had given him freedom but left him living a nightmare.”

I also loved the romance between Everett and Emma, it felt sweet and genuine, and it was a nice contrast to Everett’s guarded personality.

I enjoyed this story! It’s exceptionally well-written, informative, and the amount of research that went into it really shows! Even though it’s a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from real events, including the kidnappings along the Gulf Coast and Florida. The only complaint I have is about the ending - it seemed a bit rushed with too many things happening all at once. It was still a great read, so I’ll most likely read Harbor of Spies: A Novel of Historic Havana too. I want to learn more about this topic and Everett and Emma’s story. I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction/mystery fans!

I love the cover design – color scheme, imagery, and font choice, it all captures the essence of the historical fiction genre! The inclusion of the map of Key West at the beginning of the book is a great addition too!

Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Lyons Press, and author Robin Lloyd for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! My review is based on an uncorrected text. ( )

Wow, where to begin?! "Hidden Cargo" by Robin Lloyd is one of the best historical fictions that I have read, and I read on average 2-3 a week! Per the Author's notes and Acknowledgements at the end of the novel, Mr. Lloyd mentions the extensive research that was completed in preparing to write this novel, and it shows. Even though "Hidden Cargo" is fiction, several parts of the novel are based on true events.
The plot begins five months after the end of the Civil War. The main character, Acting Navy Lieutenant Everett Townsend is anxiously awaiting his discharge in Key West, Florida. He feels resentful and has no idea what his future holds. While awaiting his dismissal from the Navy, Lieutenant Townsend is on a supply mission when they encounter a hurricane. He and his men come across a shipwreck with a cargo filled with dead bodies of possible slaves. They suspect foul play. However, when Lieutenant Townsend reports the incident, he is met with hostility and little to no support. Due to extenuating circumstances, he finds himself on Navy business back to his homeport of Cuba where he confronts his past love and his family's ties to slavery. I highly recommend that you add this terrific novel to your tbr list! ( )