Outstanding writing and character development! Clearly, Mr. Snodgrass knows how to write. The story was interesting enough, barely, to warrant the length. The writing makes this book worthy and I will probably read the Furnace series in the future. However, I would have enjoyed more history...it felt more like a romance novel than historical fiction, and, well, maybe that was the purpose. Still, I enjoyed reading the poetic language and the insightful psychological characterization.

Across the River by Richard Snodgrass, explores the question, "Why is a group of Morgan's Raiders in a Pennsylvania town dressed as Yankee Calvary?" It's a secret mission. They, along with engineer Reid, have to come to buy two "War Machines" from Colin Lyle for the Confederacy.In doing this, Reid is hoping to save the Confederacy with the "War Machines" as well as get notoriety for himself. Can they get into the town, buy and modify the machines, get out of town, and meet up with the Confederate army without anyone knowing who they are and what their mission is? Secondary plots include, the relationship between Mrs. Lyle and the local doctor, Dr. McArtle along with Captain Walker reminiscing about some of the adventures he's had with Morgan's Raiders.
The story makes us ask what might have happened if this adventure had turned out differently.