The Bloody Harvest

At the beginning of the Civil War, spying and espionage became a dangerous new trade and practice between the United States and the newly formed Southern Confederacy governments. Spies practiced their trade in many towns and cities, but most importantly in Washington and Richmond, the two capitals of the warring factions. It took a certain individual to be a spy. They were shrewd, meticulous, and deceptive in their trade, but there was something about their personality that caused them to willingly take great risk that some times caused the lost of life, lengthy imprisonment, or as some had to endure, expulsion. Still, some spies called double-agents worked for the money.

In the novel, The Bloody Harvest, Jacob Martin is a Federal army spy living in Richmond, Virginia in 1862. He has infiltrated and cultivated friendships in the highest places of the Confederate government. Since the Confederate Secret Service and spy ring were more advanced and sophisticated then that of the United States, Jacob is eager to learn their methods and techniques. In The Bloody Harvest, Jacob is challenged by many risk and daring challenges while carrying out his duty to his country. On more than one occasion, Jacob deceives his Confederate female accomplices, who become romantically involved with him.

Jacob is like most individuals fighting the Civil War. His best friend is a Confederate army officer. His name is Benjamin Kelly. There is only one thing, Jacob’s heart and loyalties are still trapped by his friend’s wife, Rachel. When she arrives at Richmond, this complicates Jacob’s work because of his loyalties to his friend, Benjamin. Questions resurface in Rachel’s heart and mind over Jacob’s motives toward her. 

What will happen once Benjamin discovers the truth about Rachel and Jacob? Will it be determined when they confront each other at the Battle of Antietam? 

Follow the characters as they reveal and relive the days of the Civil War in portraying agents for the Union and Confederate spy ring. It is a story that for many years has been forgotten and mostly untold by Civil War historians and authors. Now, the truth is revealed in the story, The Bloody Harvest.