One benefit of sharing your Audible account with your school age children is they occasionally are assigned a book to read that peaks your interest. In this case, one of my sons (who is dyslexic and listens to Audible books as he follows along in the print version) was assigned "Lincoln's Grave Robbers" a year or two ago. Who doesn't like a good true life crime mystery?Author Steve Sheinkin relates the story of an attempt to rob Abraham Lincoln's body by counterfeiters who planned to hold the body for ransom in order to gain the release from prison of a notoriously gifted engraver named Ben Boyd. There is an excellent balance between quoted sources, historical records, appropriate vernacular of the era, and good old-fashioned yarn spinning. The book moves chronologically from the cause, to the planning, to the attempt without stopping to ponder too long on minor points of interest not of direct importance to the events, as many such books are guilty of doing. From time to time it might be difficult to keep track of all the different names being tossed around, but Sheinkin does his best to prod our memories when certain people re-enter the tale.
Regardless of the fact the book targets a teenage audience, the story is told maturely and entertainingly by both Sheinkin and the narrator of the Audible version, actor Will Patton. I recently listened to Patton narrate Stephen King's novel "Doctor Sleep" and, possibly because Sheinkin's material is more straightforward, found him much easier on the ears this time around. Here he lends just enough individuality to the historical figures without unnecessary melodrama. Patton provides a steady tone of voice that helps bring the subject matter to life in a way that keeps the listener engaged.
In short, I strongly recommend "Lincoln's Grave Robbers" for audiences young and old.
Book Rating: 4 out of 5
Audio Rating: 4 out of 5
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