The Absolution of Mars
by T. F. Troy
Blurb:
Politics, Friendship, or Greed? Which of these was the true author of the Confederate conspiracy to decapitate the Union?
The Absolution of Mars by T. F. Troy is a masterful blend of historical fiction, human drama and moral exploration. Set against the backdrop of a racially fraught period in American history, the story does not back away from the harsh realities or racial biases of the day.
The narrative introduces Jemm Pender, a former slave with a superior intellect, who rises to become a key agent in the National Detective Police Force. Jemm is tasked to trace the movements of J. W. Boyd, a Confederate spy working out of Canada.
From its intriguing opening scene, where playful dialogue among children hints at deeper mysteries, the story captivates with a blend of vivid detail and emotional depth. Jemm's quest intertwines with his wife Marnie and Aunt Cordelia, both blessed with remarkable capabilities that are being lost to the scientific thought of the day.
Troy tackles difficult topics with honesty and precision, creating moments that are as painful as they are profound. The prose is rich and evocative, with dialogue that breathes life into the characters and their struggles. The Absolution of Mars is a poignant, thought-provoking exploration of history, identity, and humanity, recommended for readers seeking depth and nuance.
Lafayette Baker steps behind Stanton at his desk, between him and the cipher room. Stanton looks up at Baker, his visage now blurred and out of focus over the top of his glasses.
“You keep that boy of yours off my ass this time,” Baker says, almost as if giving an order. But he knows that he has the Secretary over a barrel, especially if he wants his help. “I heard he was
already out to the 10th VRC talking with Cobb. That boy is a natural born hound dog.
“Come to think of it, I just may need him,” Baker adds. “Do I have authorization?”
“Sure, but he’ll be off on Tuesday chasing Captain Boyd from Gautier’s up to Canada,” Stanton says. “I sent the newly commissioned Lieutenant Henry with him to keep him in line. That should keep them both busy, and it might even give us more information on what’s going on up in Canada.”
“They are way too smart,” Baker says. “Besides, these two may both wind up dead. Especially, if they run into Burley.”
“He’s incarcerated,” Stanton says.
“Where?!” Lafayette asks disbelieving, as he steps from behind the desk.
Stanton looks down and picks through some papers, before he reads from the proper document, just to be sure he has the city right.
“Civilian Jail in Port Clinton, Ohio,” Stanton says, looking up and talking off his spectacles. “Ashley the master from the passenger ferry swore out a complaint, and Canada threw him back to us.”
“What?” Baker says again in disbelief, trying not to laugh out loud. “Sent him back for a petty robbery?”
“I know, I know,” the Secretary says chuckling along with him. He starts cleaning his glasses, which were perpetually dirty, even when immaculate.
“Do they even know who they have?!”
“I doubt it,” Stanton says.
“He’ll be escaping soon,” Baker says.
“And when he does, I’ll instruct Jemm and the good Lt. Henry to follow him back to Montreal, keeping their distance...”
“And what if they find out too...”
“Relax Lafayette, I’ll simply instruct them to track a fugitive.” Baker smiles. He likes the sublime nature of the plan.
“So who will you want?” Stanton askes, finally.
“I want my cousin Luther and his team to be a part of the party, with maybe Lt. Dougherty in charge of the actual military detail,” says Lafayette.
“And I want Sergeant Corbett to be a part of the detail as well,” says Stanton.
“But he espouses bizarre ideologies...his poor bedeviled mind is poisoned and lacks critical thinking skills,” says the Colonel. “He scares me because he’s unbalanced, a religious fanatic.”
“But do you doubt his devotion?”
“No...no I don’t. Who can?” Baker asks rhetorically. “But I want to be able to call Jemm back here—his work with the coloreds and the Secret Line could be very helpful if we run into a jam.”
“You know they’ll be headed for Cox, and then...
“Yeah, but they’ll need a good guide through the swamps down there, and Jemm has contacts that know them roads and paths better than anybody.”
“Call him back only if you have to then.”
T. F. Troy
A student of the American Civil War, T.F. Troy has an award-winning journalism career spanning more than 40 years. He currently serves as Executive Editor of Cleveland Magazine’s Community Leader as well as the Editor of Ohio Business Magazine. He also writes features for Northern Kentucky Magazine and Dayton Magazine, among other regional publications.
His work with those publications has won him numerous awards, taking first, second and third place in Ohio for Magazine Feature Writing. Troy’s work has appeared in major metropolitan daily newspapers, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In addition to the previously mentioned publications, Troy also held positions as a Senior Editor for both ABC / Capital Cities and ICD Publications in New York. His work has appeared in numerous national consumer and trade periodicals throughout his career.
In his first book, Cleveland Classics: Great Tales from the North Coast, Troy interviewed local and national Cleveland celebrities such as Jim Brown, Bob Feller, Patricia Heaton, and Arsenio Hall, among others.
The Absolution of Mars, set just after the Civil War, is his first novel, but third book.
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