The Craft

About the Book

At the request of President John Quincy Adams during a White House visit in April 1826, Matthew Prescott joins Zeb Cardwell and other presidential agents in the hunt for William Morgan—the man who revealed the secrets of Freemasonry and subsequently disappeared after a coach ride near the shore of Lake Ontario in September 1826. After the War of 1812, newly uncovered evidence uncovered reveals that Morgan was a spy for the British. After President Adams orders Morgan captured and brought back to Washington for trial, Prescott and Cardwell discover a plot to assassinate the president and must confront rogue British Masons who will stop at nothing to achieve their objectives. As presidential agents simultaneously deal with murder, arson, and stolen army weapons, the situation quickly escalates beyond their expectations. Their mission takes them to New York City, Albany, Canada, Rochester, and Batavia, and they have but one goal—to uncover the truth. The Craft is a fast-paced thriller that provides an intriguing fictional explanation for the kidnapping of William Morgan, a man who not only revealed the secrets of Freemasonry, but also was involved in a much larger secret life.

About the Author

Thomas Talbot earned his bachelor's degree in history from Georgetown University and completed his graduate work in the State University of New York system. He has been a history teacher, college administrator, evaluator, and grant writer. He lives with his wife and two Labrador Retrievers in Batavia, New York.