An Extraordinary Union

In this episode, we discuss An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole. Elle Burns is a former slave with an eidetic memory working for Lincoln’s Loyal League during the Civil War when she meets fellow undercover agent, Malcolm McCall. Pretending to be sympathetic to the Southern cause, Pinkerton Detective Malcolm uses his jovial charm and develops a “friendship” with a Confederate Senator’s family to help achieve Northern victories and Elle keeps up her subterfuge of mute slavery to gain otherwise inaccessible intel. While she spies and he lies, they consider forming a union of their own. But, can she trust him? Content warning: Slavery, discussion and threats of rape.