Easy five stars for me! Libby Steadman is a strong and courageous woman, all the qualities you would expect from a woman living on a homestead during the Civil War. Her husband is off to war and a Union soldier stumbles on to her property needing help. Captain Jonathon Weybridge is left behind by his comrades, near death. He needs Libby's help. This book is fictionalized content based on true events and is such a beautifully written book. I enjoyed it from the start. I love a good story where the characters put aside their differences to help one another. Thank you Net Galley and Doubleday Books for the advanced copy!

A story set in the Civil War, and based on a true story, this follows the wife of a soldier on the Confederate side of the war, and a Yankee soldier who has been wounded. The wife, knowing the risk, decides to care for the Yankee soldier, understanding how it will affect all of those people in her life, and hoping, should her husband be taken in by the other side, that someone would care for him, as well.

This was such a wonderful read for me, despite the background of war, there were so many beautiful moments of charity, kindness, gestures of love and hope, as well as the moments of hardships and destruction. And yet they still moved onward, hoping for the best and yet acknowledging how their lives had been changed dramatically, and while they had weathered the storm, their lives, in many ways, would never be the same.


Pub Date: 11 Mar 2025

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Doubleday Books / Doubleday

Thank you to NetGalley for this early release. The book is excellent. Historic fiction at its best. Descriptions of the war, the devastation, the suffering but also the resilience and humanity of those who rose above feel so very real. I devoured the book. Chris B. Is one of my favorite authors and this book continues to solidify opinion.

If you’re looking for a Civil War novel that hits you right in the gut, The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian is it. Based on a true story, it follows the wife of a Confederate soldier who stumbles across a wounded Yankee soldier and has to decide whether saving his life is worth the risk. Bohjalian makes you feel every ounce of her struggle. This isn’t just a story about the Civil War—it’s about humanity, morality, and the shades of gray in times of chaos.

I haven’t read many Civil War novels, but this one pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. Bohjalian’s writing is so vivid you can almost feel the tension in the air. The way he brings out the emotions on both sides of the conflict is nothing short of masterful. He shows you how messy and heartbreaking it all was.

Honestly, I couldn’t put this book down. The twists, the heartbreak, the moments of hope—they all kept me flipping pages late into the night. If you’re into historical fiction or just a good story with complex characters and impossible choices, The Jackal's Mistress is worth your time. It’s a powerful reminder of how even in the darkest times, humanity can still shine through.

Good historical fiction

I like this author's work quite a lot. To be honest, I prefer his thrillers to historical fiction, but I am woefully ignorant on civil war history and wanted to refresh my memory and maybe learn a few things.

This starts off a little difficult to read. If you don't remember your history, some of the names and locations (Harper's Ferry) get confusing. I suggest you read even the wiki of Harper's Ferry and John Brown before diving into this. I struggled with the first chapters and thought about switching to another book in my list, but once I got into it, I curled up and read it straight through, stopping only to make meals.

As the book progresses, it gets easier and becomes a straight north-south story, with a little bit of a romance.

This is fiction, but the characters are based on real people.

I hope that those that think the fight was not just about the northerners trying to butt into the private business of the southerners. but if you believe that, you won't like this book. The author makes several points of the racism behind the war, and the fact that even many abolitionists felt whites were somehow better than blacks.

I loved learning how the term "4-F" for someone not fit for duty began. That is a great piece of trivia. Read the book if you want to find out the origin.

Great book that I highly recommend.

Thanks to @netgalley and @doubledaybooks for an advanced copy of The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian, publishing on March 11, 2025.

The Jackal’s Mistress is a historical fiction novel, set during the Civil War. A Rebel woman finds a Union officer badly injured, and nurses him back to health. This novel is loosely based on a real story from the Civil War.

This was a beautifully written novel, with an interesting plot that kept me engaged throughout the book. It was incredibly thought provoking, and as with any good historical fiction, I found myself wanting to learn more about the true story the novel was based on. It would highly recommend this book to any historical fiction lover!

#thejackalsmistress #netgalley #historicalfiction #bookworm

I'm not typically a fan of historical fiction, but if Chris Bohjalian writes it, then I need it, and I will devour it! He's one of my favorite authors and is such a gifted and beautiful writer.

I loved this book! Living close to Berryville, VA, Gettysburg, PA, and Harper's Ferry, WV, I've spent a lot of time walking around Civil War battlefields, so that made it even easier to get immersed in this book! I loved Libby and her determination and bravery. She risked so much by saving Jonathan because she hoped that someone would do the same for her soldier husband if he was injured. There were some tense moments throughout this book, which showed just how scary and deadly this war was. I think this is the author's best historical fiction novel to date!

Whether you are a historical fiction lover or not, I highly recommend picking this one up!

They say that war makes for strange bedfellows and in this story they would be right. Libby is keeping her homestead and mill going along with two freed slaves and young niece. With her Confederate husband captured and considered missing or dead she is not prepared to take in a wounded Union Captain that has been left for dead. It is the decent thing to do even if it means putting her family at risk of prison or death. As he recovers from severe injuries Libby and the others get to know him and realize that he is a person not a jackal and now a friend instead of the enemy. The story around this unusual friendship illuminates the hardships and moral dilemmas that so many faced in the Civil War. In the end grief, loss and sorrow takes a toll on both sides leaving them hollow. Chris Bohjalian once again regales us with his extraordinary storytelling. Fans of COLD MOUNTAIN and WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS will be moved by this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Always a fan of anything Chris Bohjalian writes and this book was no exception. A historical novel, based on a true story, this one captivated me from page 1. Powerful and moving with rich characters, you'll definitely want to read this one.

Chris Bohjalian is a master! His storytelling shines once again in his latest historical novel, "The Jackal's Mistress." In this Civil War telling, Bohjalian weaves a non-stop intricate tale of courage, compassion, and moral complexity set against the backdrop of war-torn northern Virginia.

The story follows Libby Steadman, a resolute young woman managing her family's mill while her husband has been captured after serving in the Confederate Army. While he is gone throughout the novel, Libby's husband remains a main character. He stands out among his contemporaries for having freed his inherited slaves, retaining only an elderly couple who chose to stay on as paid workers. His actions have cast a shadow over his family and business in the eyes of his neighbors.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Union Army Captain Jonathan Weybridge, found gravely wounded and abandoned near the Steadman property. Libby's decision to save the "bluebelly," despite the enormous risks to herself, her niece, and the couple in her employ, showcases themes of humanity and empathy that transcend gray or blue. Her reasoning - that she would want someone to do the same for her husband (even though he's a rebel) - adds a layer of depth to her already complex character.

Bohjalian based his novel on true events and real historical figures. It is obvious he did copious research on the times and climate. His prose is elegant yet accessible, bringing to life the moral ambiguities of America's bloodiest conflict. The author masterfully shows how concepts of right and wrong shifted dramatically depending on which side of the battle lines one stood.

This beautifully crafted novel pulled me in from the beginning. Bohjalian has once again shown his ability to share the past while exploring timeless questions about morality and human nature.

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for an advanced copy of this book.

A historical fiction based on a true story The Jackal’s Mistress is a story of love, friendship, and what it means to be a decent human being.

Setting: Virginia the middle of the end of the Civil War Professor Jonathan Weybridge from Vermont’s, has found himself near death in a house, a southern house.

Insert Joseph and Sally (a freed couple), and Aunt and niece duo Jubliee and Libby Steadman. The heroic quartet who saves Jonathan’s life at the cost of everything they know.

Filled with horrors of war, heart-stopping sadness, and the most powerful of love this book will stay with you long after the covers close.

Another triumph of a story by Chris Bohjalian.

The Jackal’s Mistress is an exceptional written story that is very rich in historical fiction. It is so wonderfully descriptive, that you will find yourself actually a part of the story. Set in the south during the Civil War,,you’ll meet Libby Steadman, a young woman whose husband has gone off to fight. . She is left alone with two elderly ex-slaves Joseph and Sally who are husband and wife, and her young niece. The four struggle to survive day to day, when one day Sally comes across an abandoned house and hearing yells for help discovers a Union Officer who is severely injured. He has been left for dead by his regiment as they have moved on thinking he was never going to survive. With the help of Libby, Joseph, Sally and Jubilee he does barely survive.

This is a powerful story that has a lot of action and a lot of emotion. I truly enjoyed this book and will highly recommend this story to anyone who is interested in reading about the Civil War. Thank You to NetGalley, the Author Chris Bohjalian and the Publisher Doubleday Books for allowing me to read this advanced copy for my honest review.

A realistic and humanitarian story about those caught in the Civil War’s hysteria of hatred for the opposing side. Based on actual people and events, the characters find themselves choosing to hate or to heal and then having to face the consequences of that choice. Great characters that are easy to relate to and descriptive writing that builds the scary world they inhabit. The wounded northern officer and the spunky southern woman who saves him will undoubtedly live in my imagination for a good while.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday/Random House for the ARC to read and review.

I really enjoyed this book which takes place during the civil war. The characters were all interesting and well developed, the setting fit perfectly with the story, and the writing was compelling. It’s my favorite of this author’s works, of which I have read many. There was a lot of nuanced relationships which encouraged thinking, fitting together and hope for the characters. Some sadness and tense situations but also some cleverness. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Chris Bohjalian has written a terrific historical novel, set in the South during the Civil War. Based on a true story, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier finds a gravely wounded Union soldier. She must decide whether to risk her life and the lives of her family and workers to help the soldier recover. Chris has done his research; readers will be drawn into a great story while learning history at the same time. Can't wait for his next one!

My final five star read of 2024. Chris Bohjalian has once again crafted a story that drew me in from the first pages. It’s a fabulous story based on real people and events.
Berryville, Virginia has been contested ground for the length of the Civil War. Both north and south have laid claim to the territory. Mosby’s Rangers patrol the area as guerilla warriors. Libby Steadman is continuing to run her husband’s grist mill with just a freedman, his wife and her niece. Her husband was wounded and captured during the Battle of Gettysburg. In 1864, a battle rages along the Opequon Creek and one injured captain of a Vermont regiment is left behind, too weak to move after a surgery to remove his leg. When Libby finds him, she faces the ethical decision of what to do about him.
The writing is vivid and detailed. Each scene was easy to envision and I was transported to northern Virginia during the war. The characters were all so richly drawn and realistic. I loved each of the five main characters, but I had a special place in my heart for Jubilee.
While I didn’t learn a lot of new information about the war, I was thrilled to discover where the term 4F came from. And boy, did it bring a chuckle.
The story contains plenty of action, some of it extremely violent. Bohjalian shows us exactly the lengths folks will go to when their backs are against the wall. The ending really grabbed me. Make sure to read the Author’s Notes.
I’m convinced this will be a big hit when it’s published in March, 2025. It’ll be a top pick for a lot of book clubs.
My thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for an advance copy of this book.

I enjoyed this story about a Confederate woman who saves the life of a Union soldier (captain) during the Civil War.

What I liked: The author writes with beautiful prose that immerses the reader in the story. He does the time period justice, and there was none of that hitting-you-over-the-head with research - it was smooth and seamless. There is plenty of violence, so much so that I had to skim some hard paragraphs. There's a minus to that, but ultimately it makes for a realistic and compelling novel.

As the plot got closer to the climax, it was gripping, and I was drawn in. There was a lot of complexity, and it wasn't clear how it would play out.

What I didn't love: Well, some of the violence. Also, the plot was very slow for most of the story. It involved a lot of near-hits, but no action that moved the plot forward. It was kind of circular until close to the end. The climax itself was strong, but the ending felt contrived.

This was 3.5 stars for me, but I'll round up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley, Doubleday, and Chris Bohjalian for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy of the Jackal's Mistress in exchange for a fair review - where the opinions are my own.
I appreciated this book a lot. Readers are YEARNING for historical fiction that doesnt feature WWII. While this is still wartime, this is new. During the civil war and in the south where the Rebels are trying to hang on but the Yankees are ever closer, we meet a woman left behind by her husband to run the mill with minimal assistance; her former slaves now freed and working for her. She finds a Union soldier badly harmed and close to death and takes pity on him -as she would like someone to do the same for her husband if the situation arose.
I would have given this a 5 is there wasnt a slight sag in the pacing. The wheels got going quickly but then stalled ever so slightly. But then I couldnt put it down.
It was a 4.5 stars from me and is a perfect book for my historical fiction book club. I wouldnt histitate to recommend this to my patrons. Please more HF that isnt WWII - these stories are there!

100 stars for this book. I love Bohijalian's storytelling, and The Jackal's Mistress is beautifully written and really brings the reader in to the Civil War time period. I felt the depth of fear, sadness, worry, and trials of all of the characters. A southern/Confederate woman is managing her mill - she hasn't heard from her husband in quite some time and last she knew he was a prisoner in a Yankee camp. Her husband's family owned slaves, set them free, but a couple stayed behind to help work the mill. The Yankee soldier is wounded and left to die by his company. But he does not die and is rescued and taken in by the Confederates - dangerous for all of them.
The story evolves - everyone takes risks and the reader has to ask "Why". I was completely taken by this story and it rises to the top of the best book I've read this year. I will be recommending this to everyone.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

The best historical fiction is an engaging story that happens to teach you something about the time and place that it is set in. This was a very engrossing story about a woman trying to survive on her husband's farm in Virginia while he is away at war (in a Union prison no less!) during the Civil war. There is so much about her life that is fascinating and that is before we even get to the plot of the story where they discover a wounded Union soldier. I loved the story, setting and characters. I highly recommend!