One of my "stretch" books in the Yankee Doodle Spies series is The North Spy, which takes my protagonist on a harrowing mission in a venue both exotic and remote. And me along with him!
General Washington's Dilemma
As the winter snows of 1777 melt into spring blossoms, General George Washington faces a tough choice. He knows the British Army, hunkered down in their winter quarters, will strike like a snake at the first chance to take the American capital, Philadelphia. But where and how? Rumors are flying: across the Jerseys by land? Up the Delaware River by sea? Or maybe a mix of both? Yet another option proves to be the toughest puzzle: a move north to link up with a British Army gathering in Canada.
Diverse Approaches
General Washington did not realize that the British armies in New York and Canada would soon be working against each other. Washington has the Yankee Doodle Spies, in the form of Major Benjamin Tallmadge's troop of the 2nd Continental Line Dragoons, patrolling, scouting, and spying in hopes of understanding what the British commander in New York, Major General Sir William Howe, is planning. Despite the soundness of Major General John Burgoyne's "three-pronged" plan to join with Howe at Albany and split the colonies in two, Howe hesitates.
Northern Storm Clouds, Southern Squalls
The capable yet often slow-moving Howe faces significant criticism for failing to capture the rebel capital in 1776 but remains resolute in his mission to complete the task and defeat Washington. As Burgoyne gathers his forces, totaling over 8,000 men south of Montreal to make a move across Lake Champlain and down the Hudson River, he remains unaware that Howe has shifted his focus southward. Howe does instruct his second in command to stay in New York City with a few thousand men to help Burgoyne if possible. We will see how that plays out.
Hopeless Mission
Enter Lieutenant Jeremiah Creed, whom Washington sends on a daunting, if not hopeless, mission to penetrate Burgoyne's Army, ostensibly to report back on its strength and objectives. Washington's "Intelligence Advisor" and senior intelligence officer, Colonel Robert Fitzgerald, provides Creed with secret orders that will connect him with an agent in Canada. Now all Creed has to do is figure out a plan to get there, find the agent, and work his way into the British Army!
To the North
As Creed continues his journey, he reconnects with old friends and faces new enemies. He will confront ruthless Canadian backwoodsmen, fierce Iroquois (Mohawk) warriors, and an army of British regulars and German auxiliaries eager to impose the war on the Americans by any means necessary. Throughout his journey, Creed must use deception and cunning at every turn. He also struggles with a crisis of conscience, as he is compelled to deceive and manipulate people in new and challenging ways.
This is a story of skill and bravery as much as of action – and there is enough action to fill Lake Champlain with blood!
TurningPoint
Americans rally to the cause as General Horatio Gates assumes command of the Northern Department. The armies engage in a series of battles, and Jeremiah Creed becomes involved. The Saratoga campaign is arguably the most important turning point of the American Revolutionary War. The North Spy offers my perspective on it, closely following the actions of British and American commanders and soldiers as they clash in deep forests, shimmering lakes, and flowing rivers of the great north. Spoiler alert: Burgoyne's army surrendered to the American rebels at Saratoga in October 1777, bringing France openly into the conflict.
The North Spy was released by Lanyard Press. Available at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/North-Spy-Yankee-Doodle-Spies/dp/1737663678
And at other purveyors of fine books!
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