KC

From the bestselling author of White Slaves: 15 Years a Barbary Slave, An Absolute Secret, Shipwrecked Lives, Remembrance Man, and Playing Rudolf Hess comes this brilliantly imagined novel about a great American patriot: Lt. Bennett H. Young. It tells the story of the Confederate raider from his escape from the Camp Douglas prison camp in Chicago in 1864 to his raid on St. Albans, Vermont, his extradition trial in Montreal, to his race across the snowy landscape of Quebec in winter with girlfriend Eliza, his escape from a deadly killer with the help of a French-Canadian wild child named Iris, and his pursuit of justice in a Louisville courtroom against the Ku Klux Klan for the ex-slave George Dinning. Kinsey’s richly evocative novel takes the reader back to the Civil War and the last years of the 19th century. It takes us on a blockade runner with Rose Greenhow, the famous Washington socialite and spy, pursued by Yankee ships into the Cape Fear River. It shines a light on the Civil War amputees and their struggle to make a new life for themselves. It follows young Iris as she trains to become a nurse at America’s first school of nursing at the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, witnesses the Great Fire of Boston, and volunteers to go to Hickman, Kentucky as a nurse to help the war criminal, Dr. Luke Blackburn, in his fight against the terrible yellow fever scourge. It tells a remarkable story of race and the fight for justice during the Jim Crow era.

"A TOUCHING FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO"

“Powerful, beautifully written, intriguing, absorbing and compelling: all can be used to describe Nicholas Kinsey’s latest creation. It is a spellbinding novel of humanity, suffering, suspense and intrigue.” 5-stars, V. Gaudet, Amazon

“Nicholas Kinsey takes the craft of historical fiction to a whole new level, pulling you deep into Confederate raider Bennett Young's world. From his daring escape from Camp Douglas to his role in the St. Albans raid, the story is so mesmerizing. And then somehow the plot travels, and you are knee deep in an extradition trial in Montreal and a battle for justice against the Ku Klux Klan.” 5-stars, A. Eromosele, Goodreads

“The reviewer has a love for historical fiction and Kentucky Choirboy did not disappoint. The book is immersive, well-researched, and filled with action, surprises, and twists. The characters, especially Iris, add depth and emotion to the story. Overall, it is a smart and emotionally resonant read that balances history and action perfectly.” 5-stars, Maria Rossi, Goodreads

“This book does not just tell you about history, it makes you feel it. It makes you think, it makes you anxious, and it makes you admire the courage or shake your head in dismay. If you like historical fiction that does not hesitate to go deep into the nasty, complicated, and totally fascinating reality of the past, then Kentucky Choirboy is a must read. Buckle up, then, because this history ride is anything but tame.” 5-stars, NathanielRead, Goodreads

“History aside, Kinsey’s novel hits home in this current climate of uncertainty in the United States. It was enlightening to not only be reminded that this love/hate relationship between our two countries is nothing new but also to learn about the link that existed with the Confederate States of America and Canada. I had to ask myself what I really knew about the causes behind the American Civil War (beyond slavery) and wonder what repercussions are still being felt today.” Jason Enlow

“Kinsey was drawn to the story not only for its dramatic arc, but also for the historical relevance it holds today. “The raid was actually one of the events that led to the end of the Reciprocity Agreement between Canada and the United States in 1866,” he said. “It’s timely, especially with all the recent talk of tariffs and cross-border trade. The extradition trial in Montreal was a sensation,” he said. “The raiders were seen as celebrities here because many Canadians were sympathetic to the South at the time, due to trade links and the unpopularity of the war in the U.S.” The trial, held in late 1864, ultimately led to the raiders’ release. The judge ruled that, as Confederate soldiers acting under military orders, they could not be extradited for their actions in St. Albans. That ruling enraged officials in Washington and prompted the U.S. government to cancel the trade treaty with British North America, which allowed for duty-free exchange of agricultural products and other goods.” April 19, 2025, Sherbrooke Record

KENTUCKY CHOIRBOY