Sarah Wheelock, a.k.a. soldier Neddy Compton in the Civil War, is a 16-year-old runaway. She ran to escape her father's beatings and the unacceptable reality of being betrothed to a man twice her age who, in her own words, "had the manners of a bear." Impersonating a man is no easy task. Facial hair, a deep voice, and dodging communal gatherings in the latrine are a daily occurrence for Neddy. She cannot behave too affectionately, either, lest someone guess that she is of the "gentler sex."

Then she becomes a spy. Sent to gather intelligence on another spy, Sarah is the maid of Rose and companion to her daughter, Little Rose. Secret messages hidden in cakes admonishing the girl to "trust no one" and riddles used to find diaries; Sarah is one of Pinkerton's spies for the Union. This sharp-shooter falls in love with Captain Sheldon, who, apparently, is also smitten with Rose.

Back with the troops, she may have witnessed human desecration and misery, but the work was simpler and more honest. Too bad she could not have been a nurse.

At least the young woman still gets to ride horses, whichever life she is in, that of spy or soldier. The mounts remind her of her beloved horse Max, who is still back home. 

Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi, 2013

• Ann Rinaldi's web site
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Books about Allan Pinkerton
• Books about the Civil War
• Books about espionage
• Books about women in the military