Year of the Hangman

It's 1777-the rebellious American colonies have been soundly defeated by the powerful British redcoats, and the imprisoned General Washington is to hang from the end of a gibbet. That's the situation that faces Creighton Brown, a seventeen-year-old Britisher who is abducted and arrives in America with nothing but an attitude. Creighton comes to settle in the heart of the rebel stronghold-Benjamin Franklin's house, where the banned Liberty Tree is secretly published. Creighton is expected to spy for the British, but as he comes to know more patriots, he must consider "turning his coat" and joining the rebels. No boring historical novel, this provocative "alternate history" nearly jumps from the page with nonstop action, including a frigate battle, prison escape, arson, code-cracking, and a bona fide duel. Acclaimed and award-winning author Gary Blackwood's masterful blending of fiction with real characters and events results in a thought- provoking page-turner about a tumultuous time.

Gary Blackwood has written many novels, among them the best-selling The Shakespeare Stealer and Shakespeare's Scribe.