Barbara Hambly's research into 19th century Louisiana is impressive. In this book, she looks at two surprising false faces of abolitionism. **Spoiler warning** There's a "preacher" who liberates runaway slaves from jail only to sell them for profit (Benjamin, being falsely imprisoned by the machinations of an absconding bank official and not an actual runaway, begs off to return to his "master" Hannibal out of "loyalty" and in his role as benefactor, the preacher has to accept this). There's also a slave trader taking a coffle of slaves north to market, who is actually a real abolitionist whose slaves are rescued runaways, one of whom has a key to their shackles in case of emergency.

On a mission to discover what an absconding bank official has done with the assets of Benjamin's bank, he must pose as Hannibal's slave to give some measure of safety from slave traders. As it is, Hannibal receives countless offers for his purchase. He represents nothing but profit to greedy Americans (Louisiana still considers Americans as foreigners at the date of this story). It's a very exciting trip - if you don't have to actually be there on a steamboat facing all the dangers of navigating on the Mississippi, from shoals and snags to pirates. Young Jefferson Davis makes an appearance and turns out to be a pleasant and honourable man, willing to trust Benjamin January and help his investigation as long as proper respect is shown; for Davis, respect does not include groveling, but can still be grating. This portrayal is firmly based upon Hambly's historical research.

To my chagrin, I mislaid this library book one chapter before the ending and didn't find it until I had already paid the non-refundable replacement cost (I will never understand how the book got into an inaccessible closet, months before we moved All The Stuff from in front of the door to get the cards and Christmas decorations out). But if it had to happen, I'm glad it happened to this book. I'll be happy to own and reread it. ( )

I really like this series. Benjamin January puts most of the money he and his wife found in an earlier book to pay for their house although his mother suggested he invest in slaves. A bank official embezzles the money and Benjamin is asked to investigate by another official. He, Rose and friend Hannibal take a steamship down the river following the bank official hoping to find the money so he and Rose don't lose their house and school. On the ship are a couple of slave traders with slaves for sale. Heling Benjamin is a young Jefferson Davis. The bank official dies and with killers following the steam ship hoping to find the money, time is running out until Benjamin figures it out.

4.5 stars ( )