The Secrets of Mary Bowser

Masterfully written, The Secrets of Mary Bowser shines a new light onto our country s darkest history.
Brunonia Barry, bestselling author of The Lace Reader

Packed with drama, intrigue, love, loss, and most of all, the resilience of a remarkable heroine .What a treat!
Kelly O'Connor McNees, author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Based on the remarkable true story of a freed African American slave who returned to Virginia at the onset of the Civil War to spy on the Confederates, The Secrets of Mary Bowser is a masterful debut by an exciting new novelist. Author Lois Leveen combines fascinating facts and ingenious speculation to craft a historical novel that will enthrall readers of women s fiction, historical fiction, and acclaimed works like Cane River and Cold Mountain that offer intimate looks at the twin nightmares of slavery and Civil War. A powerful and unforgettable story of a woman who risked her own freedom to bring freedom to millions of others, The Secrets of Mary Bowser celebrates the courageous achievements of a little known but truly inspirational American heroine.