A vivid, propulsive Revolutionary-era thriller with the spy-craft verve of the streaming hit TURN: Washington’s Spies and the electricity of 1776’s New York that Hamilton lovers will recognize, this story is inspired by the lone female operative in Washington’s spy ring.
In occupied New York, a schoolteacher with everything to lose turns information into a weapon, threading between Redcoats and rebels as plots against Washington gather steam.
After rogue Redcoats assault her and strip her family’s Long Island farm, Abigail Trench fights to survive in New York City—tutoring in a high-ranking British officer’s Water Street household by day, navigating taverns, informants, and soldiers by night. Through Abigail’s keen eyes—and a counter-narrative following a principled British major—the novel renders the moral gray zones of occupation with gritty intimacy. As rumors swirl of a strike at General Washington, Abigail’s vantage inside upper-crust parlors and rough waterfront rooms makes her an ideal courier—and a target.
This historical thriller delivers high tension, textured world-building, and a captivating heroine who put it all on the line for freedom.
Special Note from the author about their….
Research has always been an integral part of my writing process. For my Haunted Shores Mysteries, I needed to learn about each new resort town—customs, activities, history, quirks, language, restaurants. For each novel, I also had to research the social issue each murder was connected to. For instance, I had to unpack essential elements of issues like racial injustice, human trafficking, and MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women).
But with my new title, a historical thriller entitled ABIGAIL TRENCH, I had to take my research skills to a new level. The novel tells the story of the lone female operative of Washington’s secret spy ring which helped win the Revolutionary War. But how do you research the world and time for a story when there is little or no resources to study? There are few buildings still standing as they were in 1776. It takes place in 1776 New York City, on streets and neighborhoods which bear little resemblance to the current city.
Also, I discovered there is precious little historical evidence of the Culper Ring member we know only as Agent 355. So I read everything I could about the Culper Ring, scoured histories about New York City during the American Revolution, did online research on colonial clothing, food, habits and customs. I studied period maps of New York City and paintings of famous figures of the time, on both sides of the struggle. And that was before I even started writing.
I needed to all that and more to help readers plunge into the dirty, difficult and dangerous world of colonial New York, a world of shifting alliances and allegiance, where even possessing rebel propaganda could get you arrested and even killed. I wanted readers to see, smell and feel what Abigail’s life was like as she made her way from her job as tutor to her role as spy. I’m anxious to see if readers enjoy traveling Abigail’s journey as much as I did creating it.
SHORT EXCERPT (800 words)
She and Jamie jerked backward. Abigail peered over Jamie’s shoulder, then relaxed. A tall civilian in a brown waistcoat stood there, a sad smile on his face.
“Robert?” she asked.
Jamie’s glance lurched from Abigail to the intruder. “Ya know this guy?”
Abigail said, “Jamie, you remember Robert Townsend, from the fire?”
Robert offered his hand. “You probably don’t recognize me without
the soot.”
Jamie shook it. “Molly told me ’bout that.”
“Robert, what are you doing here?”
He shrugged. “Same as you, I suspect. I heard about Nathan’s sentence. Had to see for myself.”
Jamie said, “This is a little late to ask but I thought British law required a trial.”
Robert shook his head. “It seems our King has decided we colonials don’t deserve such rights. They claim they can simply hang him as a spy.”
Movement at the north end of the camp halted their conversation. An officer came down the steps of the house. Older, clean-shaven, wearing a long red greatcoat fringed in dark blue, the officer adjusted his tricorn hat. His gaze swept the camp. On reflex, Abigail shrank back, as did Nathan and Robert.
Standing there, cringing behind a tent, helplessness swept over her
again. Back on Long Island, her efforts were useless against the rapist. At the execution of the couple, she was powerless. Now Nathan was going to be hanged, and she was simply going to watch.
“Bring out the prisoner,” the officer demanded.
Everyone in the camp stopped what they were doing and stared.
The soldiers stood and faced the gallows. The boys with the cannonballs froze. Silence fell.
The sentry by the greenhouse stepped through a small door and reemerged with a tall, blond man. Oh God, Nathan. Hands bound, he walked erect and unbowed. He didn’t look beaten. His face was unbloodied, clothes intact. Even from the distance, she could make out the scar on his face. He stopped in front of the officer. Nathan’s gaze moved across the camp, stopping on her side.
Very deliberately, Abigail slid off the hood of the cloak and shook out her hair. She stared and thought she saw recognition dawn in Nathan’s eyes. And concern.
“Does the convicted have any last request?” the officer announced in a formal manner.
Nathan’s voice was quiet but carried over the hushed camp. “If I’m going to meet my Maker, could I have a few minutes with a minister first?”
Abigail hoped this might give him precious minutes, perhaps enough for a miracle.
The officer’s response was quick. “Spies are not entitled to last rites.” He cleared his throat, but his next words came out phlegmy anyway. “Escort the prisoner to the gallows.”
The guard poked Nathan, and he stepped up onto the platform. The guard set his rifle down and placed the noose over his neck, cinching the knot tight. Abigail closed her eyes and swallowed hard.
Remembering she asked to be here, she opened them. Oh, kind, considerate man. She bit her lip.
The officer marched to the platform. “Nathan Hale, you have been convicted of high treason and spying against His Majesty and sentenced to death. Do you have any final words?”
Nathan looked out at the crowd, his glance sweeping slowly and stopping where Abigail, Jamie, and Robert stood. His eyes were bright, his stature proud. When he spoke, his voice boomed. “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
So like Nathan. Patriot to the end. But damn, this was no academic exercise.
The officer nodded. The guard pulled the plank. Nathan dropped. Abigail heard the sick tug of the rope and the choke of breath. She closed her eyes, tears rushing down. From all over the camp, soldiers hollered jeers and catcalls, peppered with nervous laughter. A commotion drew her attention back. A soldier climbed onto the platform, hung something next to Nathan’s dangling body, and ran off laughing.
“Take that, Herr General!”
“You’re next, you maggoty coward!”
“We got another noose ready for ya!”
Robert whispered, “I think it would be prudent if we made our exit now.”
Jamie said, “Agreed. Follow my lead.”
Tears blurring her vision, Abigail followed the men. As she turned, she saw what hung next to Nathan—a wooden plank with a crude painting of a soldier and the word “Washington” scrawled above it.
She pulled her eyes away.
Jamie paused by the kitchen tent. “Grab one.” He pointed to empty food crates sitting in the grass. He hoisted one, and Robert picked up another and handed a smaller one to Abigail. The three walked right between the guards, faces hidden by the containers. As they turned the corner, Abigail shot a glance back and saw a soldier poke Nathan’s body with a bayonet. She jerked her head forward, the world blurred with tears.
Meet the Author
Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, bestselling author, popular podcaster and speaker in much demand. After serving children for almost four decades as teacher, college prof and school leader, he used those experiences and skills to craft captivating mysteries, thrillers and historical suspense. His novels have earned more than a dozen national awards including Thriller of the Year, Best Book Award, the Gold Award and Mystery of the Year and have garnered hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub.
His newest novel, ABIGAIL TRENCH, is a historical suspense about the Revolutionary War, released June, 2026 by Diversion Books and distributed by Simon and Schuster.
Dr. Overbeck is also the host of the popular podcast, Great Stories about Great Storytellers, which reveals the little known backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and ranks among the top 50% of all podcasts in the US. When he is not writing or podcasting, he is in much demand as a speaker, sharing informative and entertaining programs to more than 300 groups all over the country.