An American Civil War Journey - an Editorial Review of "Lockett's Innocence"

Book Blurb:

A simple promise to his friend’s wife… An overwhelming urge to keep his younger brother from danger… An inkling that this War Between the States would not be the brief affair that most expected…

James Lockett thought that he understood what he was getting into. He could not have been more wrong. From bushwhackers in Missouri to the tardy realization that there was an enemy wearing his own uniform, James Lockett encounters far more than expected.

But nothing could have prepared him for the immense destruction of Shiloh and the life-altering decision made in the flash of a second.

And so begins James Lockett’s Civil War journey.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/eYgJ1

Author Bio:

A Michigan native, T.J. Johnston is the author of the James Lockett Civil War historical fiction series. He is a 2023 awardee from the Historical Fiction Company's annual contest - "Highly Recommended Award of Excellence" for Lockett and the Devil's Path.

A believer in the importance and gripping tension of accurate history, he has degrees from Hope College and Michigan State University. He currently resides in Texas where he is working on subsequent historical fiction novels.

Editorial Review:

“In the momentary stillness between cacophonies, he could faintly hear a few voices yelling, “Retreat! Run!” as they ran. But most of the Confederates did not run. The volley had staggered them, and they seemed confused, but they did not run, rather they slowly inched backwards. The cannon continued its thunder, and then the Rebels fell back behind the low rise. A few Union soldiers cheered, including the private next to him, but Lockett shot him a nasty glare. The Rebels had been stunned, but they were only gathering themselves. How many times have I seen this already today, he wondered as he began to reload, and it’s not even mid-morning yet!”

James Lockett and Patrick McManus are at war. It is the War Between The States and the two friends from Kalamazoo are facing off against the Confederates. While the trauma and upheaval of going to war is timeless, “Lockett’s Innocence” by TJ Johnston allows the reader to directly experience the the terrible choices that men at war are forced to make, in circumstances not of their choosing. The narrative is balanced, with historical and military detail, but also a compelling focus on the men’s friendship and their individual challenges as the war progresses.

These themes may seem universal, and they are, but the added tension of a civil war, of the strictures of society at the time, provides an extra layer to Johnston’s writing. Of course, the era of the 1860s included paddle-steamers, but there is still something so special in reading of them, the evocative symbol of the transport of times gone by. Historical technology firmly anchors the story throughout, and the dialogue is also authentic, but still highly relatable to modern readers. It is a rare author who can write with equal skill about both machines and men, as Johnston has done here.

“John and Lyman Cameron stared across the landward side of Fort Henry in the early morning light. 12,000 yards of trenches were dug in the Tennessee mud about four hundred yards from the fort, supported by six landward facing artillery pieces. It was silent and still, as both brothers and every other defender of the Confederate fort expected. They knew the Yankees were coming. It was a matter of when, not if, but there had been no indication that anything was imminent from the land side of the fort. No, all indications were that when the Yankees came, it would be from the river side of the fort. They had already exchanged some tentative, teasing fire with a couple of Yankee gunboats, although the Federals were careful to test only from a great distance, and neither side had bloodied the other yet.”

This reviewer reads this genre avidly, and there is room for the view that similar perspectives inevitably emerge in such stories, leading to a sense of predictability. But not here. Johnston’s writing is fresh, and the military community is vividly described, including the pangs of conscience when fellow soldiers engage in looting. The main plot revolves around the combat of the Kalamazoo soldiers, and that story of course has its own place in history. The action scenes are gripping, and the physicality of fighting is starkly described. This is reflected in the pacing; Johnston has created a page turner.

“Bauer hurried to reload and then took his time finding a target again. He had come to the conclusion that shooting an ordinary soldier was a poor use of his skills. Instead, he patiently scanned the field for an officer or flag-bearer. Spotting a soldier waving a sword, he fired and was disappointed as the man retreated unharmed back into the trees. Southwest of them, Confederate cannon opened up, and Bauer suddenly felt very vulnerable. While the Union cannon roared in reply, he could not tell where the Union cannon were aiming, if indeed they were aiming at all. In contrast, the Confederates were clearly attempting to silence the Union batteries. Chunks of earth were torn up as the shells exploded near the Ohioans.”

“Lockett’s Innocence” is written from various points of view. One of the most powerful remains Patrick’s musings about his friend James in the opening pages of the book as he searches for some sign of anxiety in his friend. Instantly, both men are humanised to the reader.

“Lockett’s Innocence” by TJ Johnston is a fresh and original take on a conflict that is a popular choice for both writers and readers. The author’s skill at describing the reality of war and the humanity of soldiers elevates this Civil War narrative into a memorable rendition of a time when a great nation turned on itself. It would be easy for any author to reach for the usual themes, but Johnston does much more, creating nuanced characters, fascinating technology and powerful scenes of military action.

*****

“Lockett’s Innocence” by TJ Johnston receives 4 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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