The Hour of Peril: Audio Excerpt

The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower is a work of historical narrative non-fiction (available January 29, 2013).

In February of 1861, just days before he assumed the presidency, Abraham Lincoln faced a “clear and fully-matured” threat of assassination as he traveled by train from Springfield to Washington for his inauguration. Over a period of thirteen days the legendary detective Allan Pinkerton worked feverishly to detect and thwart the plot, assisted by a captivating young widow named Kate Warne, America’s first female private eye.

As Lincoln’s train rolled inexorably toward “the seat of danger,” Pinkerton struggled to unravel the ever-changing details of the murder plot, even as he contended with the intractability of Lincoln and his advisors, who refused to believe that the danger was real. With time running out Pinkerton took a desperate gamble, staking Lincoln’s life—and the future of the nation—on a “perilous feint” that seemed to offer the only chance that Lincoln would survive to become president.  Shrouded in secrecy—and, later, mired in controversy—the story of the “Baltimore Plot” is one of the great untold tales of the Civil War era.

Have a listen to an audio excerpt and comment below to win one of three audiobook copies!

 

To enter for a chance to win one of three copies of the audiobook of The Hour of Peril by Daniel Stashower, make sure you’re a registered member of the site, sign in, and then simply leave a comment below.

TIP: Since only comments from registered users will be tabulated, if your user name appears in red above your comment—STOP—go log in, then try commenting again. If your user name appears in black above your comment, You’re In!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 or older. To enter, fill out entry at  https://www.criminalelement.com/stories/2013/02/hour-of-peril-audio-excerpt-daniel-stashower beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) February 10, 2013. Sweepstakes ends at 9:59 a.m. ET on February 17, 2013 (the “Promotion Period”). Void outside of the 50 US and DC and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules at https://www.criminalelement.com/page/official-rules-hour-of-peril-comments-contest. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010

Comments

  1. Gordon Bingham

    The relationship betwwen Lincoln & Pinkerton was a complcated one – this story of it’s beginning is well anticipated.

  2. MaryC

    Fascinating story – thanks for the chance to win an audio version.

  3. Francis Cardosi

    Looking forward to the story.

  4. L L

    This sounds intriguing.

  5. Diane Stedner

    sounds like a good story…thank you for the chance

  6. Jeffrey Tretin

    Sounds very interesting – thank you for the giveaway

  7. Marihelen Ligon

    Lincoln’s story and the plots which swirled around him have always intrigued me. Can’t wait to read this!

  8. Denise Bacher

    From what I hear it sounds like a fascinating and well written story. Looking forward to hearing more of it, whether I win it or not.

    I always like a good thriller, and when it is true it is only made better.

  9. Charlee Griffith

    Sounds fantastic!

  10. Lesley Fuchs

    Sounds fascinating! Big history buff here

  11. Ann Stolinsky

    Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  12. Diana Portwood

    I’d love to listen to this one, sounds fascinating!

  13. Lisa Weihl

    Love stories such as this. Will put it on my to read list for sure!!

  14. Judie McDonald

    Interesting, I’d like to hear the rest.

  15. Barbara

    Looks fascinating.

  16. Andrew Kuligowski

    I love audio-books; it’s allowed me to maintain my reading level despite longer commutes to work! I just finished one about Grant; they alluded to this plot in it.

  17. Peter W. Horton Jr.

    Lincoln, Pinkerton and the first female private! YES!

  18. shawn manning

    Finished the Linciln Diary not that long ago. This would make a nice follow up.

  19. Charlotte Rodziewicz

    I am very much looking forward to this read. Daniel Stashower’s biography of Arthur Conan Doyle (Teller of Tales) was a wonderful read with historical accuracy of the period, rich detail of Doyle’s experiences and a deft perception into what formed Doyle’s moral character. I could not put it down and expect the same of The Hour of Peril.

  20. Chickie

    Looking forward to reading this.

  21. Barb1111

    I am just getting started with audio books, and Hour of Peril seems like a wonderful place to start!

  22. Joyce Benzing

    Sounds quite interesting. Thanks for the sweep!

  23. Lisa Garrett

    I am intrigued by Lincoln after seeing the recent movie. I would love to listen to this!

  24. Allison Moyer

    I never knew that there had been another plot to assasinate Lincoln. The narrator of the audiobook does a great job of portraying the tension and impending danger. History is fascinating!

  25. Louis Burklow

    Allan Pinkerton as the hero of a mystery? Protecting Abraham Lincoln? I love historical mysteries, so this is one I’d be thrilled to read.

  26. Desmond Warzel

    Count me in, please!

  27. lynette barfield

    Intrigued by the excerpt! Most of my reading is accomplished by listening so I would really like to win a copy.

  28. Lori Lowery

    Interesting audio clip. I’d love to win a copy!

  29. Christi Loper

    This sounds like a book I would love to read! I become increasingly fascinated by narrative non-fiction.

  30. Pat Murphy

    Fascinating subject. Choose me please. Need something to new for car travel.

  31. Jo Arterberry

    Fascinating story idea. Look forward to hearing it all. Thanks for the opportunity to listen.

  32. Cindi Hoppes

    I have watched a documentary that implied this message…
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  33. Heather Martin

    This little known nugget of history has been one of my favorite stories of the Civil War era. I would like to see all the info in place for once.

  34. Theresa Curry

    Sounds interesting, thanks for the auditory preview..I believe my friend on good reads commented about this book. I look forward to reading it..

  35. Shannon Baas

    I’d like to read this.

  36. Joanna Hernandez

    I would love to win this!

  37. Jacqueline Strawder

    Fascinating story – thanks for the chance to win an audio version.

  38. Bob Keck

    This would be so perfect for our upcoming road trip. thanks so much for offering an audioCD

  39. Ann Fantom

    This looks like an interesting audio book that both my husband and I would enjoy

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  40. Carrie Baird

    This sounds like a very interesting story. I would love to win! wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com

  41. Hope Rabi

    Love this era of history- thanks for the chance!

  42. Charlotte Padgett

    Sounds like a great book.

  43. Daniel Morrell

    looks like a good one!

  44. Tracy Allen

    I love historical mystery – thanks for this!

  45. kathy pease

    Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂

  46. catherine copeland

    Since I used to live a few miles from where the conspiracy to kill Lincoln was hatched and used to drive past the former home of Samuel Mudd on my way to school I have always been facinated by Lincoln. This book sounds wonderful and I can hardly wait to read it

    teechbiz at gmail dot com

  47. Ed Nemmers

    I would love to read the work of Daniel Stashower!

  48. matt lehman

    lincoln is one of my favorite pres. i would love to get a copy!

  49. Kari Flores

    I love true life crime / conspiracy theory books, this is right up my alley. Thanks for the giveaway.

  50. Susan Smith

    Sounds great

  51. Susan Smoaks

    i would really enjoy reading this book, thanks for the chance to win it!!!

  52. Richard Hicks

    would really enjoy this a lot. Big history buff here
    !

  53. Lori Walker

    thanks for the chance

  54. Buddy Garrett

    I would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.

  55. californiapoppy

    I would love to have this for my collection. I love Lincoln and am facinated about pinkerton and the assasination plot……. the historical setting of trains and railroad mischief….. a must have for my collection. Thanks for the contest.

  56. Debra Kidle

    This sounds so fascinating! I love to read anything about Lincoln either factual or fiction, he is such an interesting person in our history.

  57. Julie Myles

    I love to read about Lincoln. Thanks for the giveaway.

  58. Tim Moss

    Looks like an interesting read.

  59. Brian Eason

    Thanks for the giveaway…a good audio book makes a long car commute bearable !

Comments are closed.