The Jackal's Mistress

A Novel

De: Chris Bohjalian

Narrado por: Marni Penning, Chris Bohjalian

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER • #1 BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • USA TODAY BESTSELLER • In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she’s willing to risk for the life of a stranger, from the New York Times bestselling author of such acclaimed historical fiction as Hour of the Witch and The Sandcastle Girls.

Virginia, 1864—Libby Steadman’s husband has been away for so long that she can barely conjure his voice in her dreams. While she longs for him in the night, fearing him dead in a Union prison camp, her days are spent running a gristmill with her teenage niece, a hired hand, and his wife, all the grain they can produce requisitioned by the Confederate Army. It’s an uneasy life in the Shenandoah Valley, the territory frequently changing hands, control swinging back and forth like a pendulum between North and South, and Libby awakens every morning expecting to see her land a battlefield.

And then she finds a gravely injured Union officer left for dead in a neighbor’s house, the bones of his hand and leg shattered. Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade is her enemy—but he’s also a human being, and Libby must make a terrible decision: Does she leave him to die alone? Or does she risk treason and try to nurse him back to health? And if she succeeds, does she try to secretly bring him across Union lines, where she might negotiate a trade for news of her own husband?

A vivid and sweeping story of two people navigating the boundaries of love and humanity in a landscape of brutal violence, The Jackal’s Mistress is a heart-stopping new novel, based on a largely unknown piece of American history, from one of our greatest storytellers.

©2025 Chris Bohjalian (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Top-notch.... Based on a true story, The Jackal’s Mistress brings all the propulsive plot and sensitive character development one has come to expect from Bohjalian; here, he spins a tale of unlikely romance between a wounded Union soldier from Vermont and a gritty Virginia woman.”—Karen Tuttle, The Boston Globe

“Inspired by true events....A moving tale about the difficult choices people must make in dangerous circumstances.”—The Washington Post

“It’s hard not to get pulled in from the first sentence....The Jackal’s Mistress gallops along, sweeping us up in its heart-pounding final pages.”—Minnesota Star Tribune

Great historical fiction

Love that this book was based on a true story. Strong female protagonists carry the story forward with propulsive movement.

Excellent

I really enjoyed this listen, it met all my expectations for a Chris Bohjalian book. The characters felt like real people and the well-written story moved along at a perfect pace. The only thing that felt a bit off the mark and predictable was the romance element. It wasn't necessary. I love that this book was heavily premised on a true story, which had a better, more compelling ending.

All in all, this one is well worth a credit.

Love the characters

Every character was written to be as vivid and likable as your favorite friend. The storyline contained all the feels.
The narrator(a) brought this story to its full beautiful life.

Such a good book!!

Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors and this book will give you a reason why.
So very good. I loved every character in this book!
Highly recommend. Don't start listening unless you are able to listen from start to finish in one sitting!
The narration was the best!

Real history

Loved the writer’s account of the true story basis. There were some weird edits where the reader’s voice fluctuates strangely. I enjoyed the story. Would recommend. After hearing the true basis I like that ending a bit better.

Loved the historical setting

A great audio version. A terrific cast of characters that came to life with in a historical context. Interestingly depicted the Civil War era with diverse characters and settings.

Absorbing on every level

Bohjalian is a master storyteller with a fluent voice. The protagonist, Libby Steadman, is an unforgettable character. The historical issues are relevant today and no less important. Penning's lively narration enhances.

Great storytelling. Outstanding performance

The performance by the narrator made this book/story even more compelling. Beyond that, the characters were very well developed

Wonderful Characters

I love historical fiction and endearing characters. Nobody creates unforgettable characters better than Chris Bohjalian!

great historical fiction

Great story telling! It kept me wondering how everything was going to end up and turning the pages