"One of the most exciting thrillers I have read in a long, long time. This is historical fiction at its best."--Brad Thor, author ofThe Apostle

Washington, D.C., 1861: As the United States teeters on the brink of civil war, Colonel Charles P. Rook organizes security in the nation's capitol and monitors the death threats pouring in to the White House. He surrounds Abraham Lincoln with bodyguards, covers rooftops with sharpshooters, and investigates rumors of conspiracy fomented by secessionists. Yet amidst the chaos and confusion, a mysterious killer slips into the teeming city. Hired by a wealthy Southern planter to eliminatePresident Lincoln and destroy the Union once and for all, the assassin catches Rook's attention by cutting down anyone who gets in his way.    

As the bodies begin to pile up, Rook realizes he is caught in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a cold-blooded killer who will stop at nothing to complete his mission. Rook's only hope is Portia, a runaway slave who holds the key to the assassin's identity--if she can stay alive long enough to deliver it. Packed with dynamic characters, rich period detail, and a chillingly sinister villain,The First Assassin is a riveting thriller for fans of historical fiction.

"Utterly compelling, the novel sweeps the reader along multiple storylines which converge at one point, one moment, where history pivots on its axis. A skilled writer of nonfiction, Miller uses his knowledge and research to create a powerful thriller."--Robert Ferrigno, author ofHeart of the Assassin