Let me introduce...or re-introduce Ian Carlyle. He's the main character of Will Hutchinson's latest book, "The Gettysburg Conspiracy". I did an illustration for Will's first book, "Follow Me to Glory" and was honored to revisit Ian again for the second book. It's fun (and difficult) to follow a character through the years with your pencil and imagination!

I was lucky enough to be invited to the book release party last Friday in, appropriately enough, Gettysburg PA. The party's theme was "Cocktails, Conversation and Conspiracy". It was a great event complete with a special complimentary "Conspiracy Cocktail" (ingredients secret of course), and a reading of Chapter 1 by the author. There was a second reading by Lincoln impersonator and scholoar, James Getty. He did a great job and it was kind of fun to see "Lincoln" sipping a Miller Lite after he was done. I had to point out that a Yuengling would have been more appropriate since it was established before the Civil War. Not sure that went over well though.

Anway, "The Gettysburg Conspiracy" is a cracker of a historical novel. There's a plot to assisinate Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address and our hero has to stop it. Will does a great job of, as he puts it, "flying under the radar of history." The story doesn't change history, but draws on it for drama and setting. Will knows his stuff too. He served in the Army and the Marine Corps, as well as being an avid Civil War reenactor. In fact, Will Hutchinson's life would probably make a pretty good book too!

So if you're looking for a good holiday read or a gift for a history geek buddy, this book might be just the ticket.

Happy Thanksgiving!