Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/01/2024 *Starred Review* Kate Warne was the nation’s first woman detective and a plucky and committed, chameleon-like undercover agent of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. By disguising herself as a Southern loyalist in Baltimore, Warne uncovered a rebel plot to kill Abraham Lincoln there in February 1861. After secreting messages among his allies in several cities, Warne snuck the president-elect to Washington under the cover of night to save him from the assassination attempt. Anderson (Lizzie Demands a Seat!, 2020) weaves questions through the text to heighten reader engagement in the events and employs a succinct sentence structure that palpably conveys the mission’s urgency: “Railroad executives cleared the route. Telegraph officials disabled the lines. The train raced to Philadelphia at top speed.” Comport, illustrator of Susan Hood's Ada's Violin (2016), immerses us in the drama with sepia-toned artwork that lends an aged feel to the framed pages. Meticulous illustrations employ the scrapbook house collage style of the era, highlights of which include superbly detailed garments and period furniture. The subtle inclusion of timepieces throughout amplifies the exigency of Warne’s work. Extensive back matter includes source and illustrators’ notes and elaborate on Warne’s ability to hide in plain sight by camouflaging herself to investigative circumstances through wardrobe and words. An apt companion to Marissa Moss’ books on Warne and Pinkerton, this is a lively choice for U.S. history or Women’s History Month displays. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.