The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington

The latest from attorney Rosenberg (Write to Die) is a fascinating novel that, as usual, showcases his legal expertise, this time in a historical, speculative context. In 1780, Britain is nearly bankrupt from its long war with its former colonies. Its shrewd prime minister, Frederick North, devises a secret plan he hopes will finally force the conflict to a close: the arrest for treason of George Washington, commander-in-chief of the American army and one of the most famous men in the world. The undercover operative he selects, Jeremiah Black, evades danger long enough to capture Washington at his New Jersey headquarters and transport him to the Tower of London. But when Washington refuses to allow his life to be used as a bargaining chip, North’s gamble yields not a negotiated peace but a high-stakes trial featuring a redoubtable defendant and a witness appearance by Benedict Arnold. Unlike classics such as The Man in the High Castle, this alternate history doesn’t speculate on how its re-imagined Washington might have altered America’s future. Rosenberg interweaves legal and political nuances with a suspenseful plot, juxtaposing well-drawn historical figures with appealing inventions, resulting in a thoughtful novel. (June)