Have you ever read a book by Jane Langton? I adored her children’s books when I was young (the Hall family stories) and enjoy her Homer Kelly mysteries as an adult. I was thrilled last week to find “The Deserter” in the library — a Homer Kelly mystery story taking place during the Civil War and also in the current day.

In “The Deserter”, Homer’s wife, Mary, is tracing an ancestor’s experience in the Civil War and puzzling over the fact that he has dropped from family lore and is considered a shameful character. What did he do that was so bad? Mary and Homer wonder. His picture has also been taken down from the hollowed halls of Harvard’s Memorial Hall as his classmates were ashamed of him, too. Mary and Homer begin a quest to unravel the mystery.

In alternating chapters, during the Civil War a young pregnant wife (Mary’s ancestor) searches the battlefields of Gettysburg for her beloved and missing husband. She fears he is ill, injured, or possibly a deserter.

What has become of him? Will he be found? Will Mary and Homer solve the mystery and return her ancestor into good grace? You’ll have to read this story to find out!

I give it 4 Stars!