The Blue Riders

The explosion at the Seaside Hotel was jarring to Gideon Maxwell but nowhere near as jolting as the sight of Cassie O’Connor. Gideon and Cassie were reporters for the New York World, writing hard-edge news in a world of Yellow Journalism. Maxwell made a name for himself, breaking stories of police corruption, whereas O’Connor’s reputation was based on covering stories no one else would. Maxwell ran afoul of crooked officers and was forced to flee the city despite a burgeoning relationship with Cassie. Cassie had acquired information about a nefarious plot during her most recent expose, bringing her back into Gideon’s orbit. The year is 1897, the pair are in Florida, and the United States is on the cusp of war with Spain over Cuba and surrounding areas. 

The Blue Riders begins with a bang and never loses steam as the narrative progresses. Gideon Maxwell is a Southern gentleman turned New Yorker with a literary flair. Despite his talent and charisma, he is tormented by past actions in which he showed cowardice. His reunion with Cassie and the ensuing events allow him a measure of maturity in standing up for himself and others. Cassie is a woman competing in a male-dominated society who exudes bravery in chasing down the truth. Both male and female leads offer substance. Author Jim Lester does an exemplary job of conveying the evolving landscape of the United States at the end of the 19th century. This superb novel combines historical fiction and mystery with more than a whiff of conspiracy to appeal to the average reader. The storytelling is stellar, the characters are intriguing, and the world-building is spectacularly executed.