Final Resting Place is the third Lincoln & Speed historical mystery by Jonathan F. Putnam. Released 10th July 2018 by Crooked Lane books, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.

The author is quite accomplished and I enjoyed the attention to historical detail. There were a number of small details (such as 'pigging') which were written into the narrative without unusual comment or fanfare. I appreciated these small atmospheric additions. Obviously it's a historical murder mystery and not an academic treatise. People looking for actual history and not a well written historical mystery will likely be disappointed. On the other hand, the mystery is well crafted and enjoyable.

The language is very clean and there isn't a lot of direct or graphic violence. There was a graphic description of strychnine poisoning which was unappealing to me but was used effectively to drive the narrative ahead.

I had some trouble keeping some of the secondary characters straight, but that was due mostly to the fact that this book was my morning commute read and thus read in several short sessions. I did not ever find my interest in the plot or the mystery waning whilst I was reading.

All in all a good historical murder mystery, heavy on the history. There was a nice afterword included also with some nice explanatory historical reference notes by the author.

Enjoyable. Three and a half stars, rounded up for the great writing.

4.5 Stars

Putnam pulls out all of the stops when it comes to research and being true as possible to his characters that are based on real-life historical figures, one of which is the most beloved man in America and future President. There are many great authors that do their research and I enjoy reading them, Putnum goes further and stays in the same timeline, uses the same court cases to shape his mysteries around, being an armchair Lincoln addict, always leaves me in awe. Those great authors that I mentioned above love to shift historical events, people, disasters, etc, not Putnam with a very few and very clear changes only to move along the plot. I have an immense amount of respect for his scholarship and mystery chops!

You think politics is a bad and dirty business today? In 1938 it was worse in its own way and this run to return Lincoln to the State Legislature has the added boost of scurrilous attacks on Lincoln via letters written to the opposition's paper signed only by initials. Who is S.G. and why does he or she sound more like the evil ghost of Jacob Marley that knows Lincoln's past so well, enough to not only besmirch him during his campaign but wound him personally, making it harder for him to go on?

What are Lincoln's father and step-brother doing in town and just what are they up too? Was there
corruption going on in the land office, why else would there be deed and sales registered with Lincoln as the surveyor well after he'd started his law practice and stopped surveying?

There are a lot of questions going around in this third book of the Lincoln and Speed Mysteries and the answers don't come easily or quickly. I can't wait until the next one!

FINAL RESTING PLACE by Jonathan F. Putnam is a historical mystery with Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas as two of the main characters. In fact, they oppose each other in a murder trial based on actual events from "the highest profile trial of the year in Springfield" where Lincoln (a Whig) defended a Democrat accused of murdering a political rival and Douglas (a Democrat) acted as prosecutor. What makes this mystery especially appealing are the numerous references to the very contentious Illinois election held on August 6, 1838, almost exactly 180 years ago. It was fascinating to read about the raucous political debates, anonymous and abusive letters to the editor, influential newspaper coverage, and religious revival. Lincoln's real life friend Joshua Speed narrates this story and comments at one point, "Life in the frontier town had been oriented around three nearly universal public institutions: Politics, Commerce and Liquor."

Although referring to a slightly later (1850s) period, a recent New York Times article by Jennifer Finney Boylan, "The New Know-Nothings," draws some intriguing parallels to today's political partisanship, especially changes in the Republican Party. Putnam, too, mentions this comparison in his historical note: "Those who think the current political moment is beset by unique coarseness and animosity would do well to study the American political environment of the nineteenth century, especially in the Western states such as Illinois." If you enjoy historical mysteries based on solid research, definitely look for FINAL RESTING PLACE - it is filled with personal anecdotes, courtroom drama and political twists. 4.5 stars.

Putnam is a Harvard-trained lawyer and amateur Lincoln scholar who has written two other books in this series: These Honored Dead and Perish from the Earth.

Link in live post:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/25/opinion/republican-party-trump-know-nothings.html

This was my first foray into this series. I enjoyed the fact that it had mystery as well as courtroom drama. I understand that there was a lot of research to get this book to come out right. I liked the book overall, though after completing it, I just felt something was missing. Not sure what it was, but it just felt that way to me. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Interesting read with significant historical detail brings Lincoln and Speed back on the scene with further adventures in early Springfield.

I enjoy historical mysteries but, while this is the third in this series, it's the first that I have read. Now the previous books are on my to be read stack. Add to it being a new series to me, the period and setting are new to me, as well. Here we have Abe Lincoln and Joshua Speed and Speed's sister, Martha living in Springfield in 1838. Lincoln is on the stump campaigning while at the same time trying to put together a defense for his friend, Truitt who is in jail on a charge of murder. They were all attending a 4th of July party which ended in fireworks and a murder. Death doesn't stop there and there are threatening letters directed at Lincoln. When Ann Rutledge, the woman Lincoln was stepping out with, dies, Lincoln needs even more help from Joshua and Martha in stopping the killer.
The writing paints such a vivid picture of their world that I felt I was there with them. The historical figures are respected and their actions don't feel forced into the mystery. When I came to the last page I was looking forward to picking up the first in the series. A very satisfying read.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Political shenanigans abound in 1838 Springfield as Lincoln's past catched up on him. When a murder occurs on the four of July celebrations Speed and Lincoln must turn their talents to finding out the truth.
There are enough sub-plots to keep the pace of the tale moving along, and to make the story as a whole interesting, especially to someone like me who knows nothing about this period of history. The characters are also portrayed well.
This can easily be read as a standalone story but it might be worthwhile starting at the beginning.

An emotional showdown as well as a murder mystery takes center stage in “Final Resting Place,” the third book in the Abraham Lincoln/Joshua Speed series of historical mystery novels by Jonathan F. Putnam. We meet Lincoln’s father and stepbrother, who have come to Illinois for some palaverin’ with their long and lanky relative. As readers will soon appreciate, they ain’t up to no good, and Mr. Lincoln finds himself regretting the visit of these cantankerous relations.

Speaking of personal problems, Mr. Putnam has postulated a unique interpretation behind the death of Lincoln’s early beloved, Ann Rutledge (yes, she’s mentioned in this book, too, as a source for Abe’s lingering melancholia). Then, when a young woman he has been stepping out with is murdered, well, Joshua Speed and his sister Martha are called upon to do a lot of detective work on their own, because Lincoln isn’t up to it.

The researched history throughout the book is implacable, as always. Indeed, readers are treated to it from the very first pages, where we learn of the death of Ann Speed, Joshua’s and Martha’s very young sister, who died when she was only eight (Speed’s father had married twice, and within the second marriage had eleven children). Death, including the main murder of the local land office registrar (which really occurred; Mr. Putnam uses it as the background to his novel), plays a large part throughout the book.

For faithful followers of the series, familiar characters are present. Stephen Douglas, of course; well known from the annals of American history. And there is mention of the Todd sisters, Elizabeth and Mary. The Historical Note at the end of the book provides a comprehensive look at the real-life events of the time frame set forward in “Final Resting Place,” including who the unfortunate Margaret Owens is patterned after.

Mr. Putnam’s latest is eminently readable, both as a history lesson and as a historical mystery. I look forward to further adventures.

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Putnam keeps giving us great mysteries, unique to each book, with the characters becoming more alive each time. Can't wait to read more!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of mysteries involving Lincoln and his friends in frontier Illinois. Not only is the story engaging but semi historical and sheds some light on Lincoln’s ideas that will eventually propel him into the greatest challenge of his life.

1838, Springfield Illinois murder is committed, the lawyers? Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, with the help of Lincoln's friend Joshua Speed and his sister they pursue the truth with a fascinating cast of characters, all with historical significance. An enjoyable read that might just be better then the two previous books in this series.