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Christmas Conspiracy
- by Dennis Rizzo

The mysterious Widow of Mount Holly raises her head again in this new historical

fiction covering the Battle of Mount Holly (Iron Works Hill). Dennis Rizzo, author of

Mount Holly - Hometown Reinvented, Parallel Communities, and numerous articles and

stories, poses the possibilities and breathes life into real and imagined participants.

Challenged by a friend and fellow historian to write the story of the battle, Rizzo

decided to incorporate the environment, social issues, personalities and dynamics that

shook this part of Jersey during the time of crisis in December 1776.

All sixteen-year-old indentured servant TOM

DYER wants for Christmas is the roast goose

and rum pudding from Halstead's Tavern on

Second Street in Philadelphia. Instead, he gets a

wet and icy ride through New Jersey in an open

milk cart, attending his employer, ELIZABETH

ROSS and her petulant niece, SARAH GRISCOM.

Among those seeking the demise of the American

rebellion is First Sergeant JACOB BRUNNER, of the

Hesse-Kassell Jäger Company. Jacob and his comrade,

Sergeant MATTHIS GRUIN, are the veterans in a ragtag

contingent of hunters, woodsmen, and conscripted

schoolboys. Jacob wants only to end the task and go

home to his wife and child.

The ebb and flow of skirmishing and guerilla

warfare that takes place while the main armies are

waiting to come to blows envelopes Thomas and Jacob, forcing each to confront his

values and purpose. In the end, it is the fateful decision by the Corps leader, Colonel

1 (as of the writing list is expected to be between $15 and $18)

von Donop, to stay in Mount Holly that brings disaster to the royal forces and victory

to Washington at Trenton.

No one knows who the widow was, but

there is evidence to indicate she was wellknown

to the citizens of Mount Holly. She

played a dual role, being the wife of a

prominent Tory as well as a supporter of the

rebellion. Her role is clear, even though she is

not. Her timely intervention, and that of

several womenfolk remaining in town during

the occupation, caused the Hessian forces to

dally until it was too late to assist those

garrisoned in Trenton. That victory turned the tide in the revolution.

Thomas and Jacob will certainly take their places in local lore from this point

forward as representatives of the common people caught up in this civil war. Elizabeth

Hatkinson, Mary Bard, Rachel White, Mary Field, Mary Bancroft and others, real people,

will step forward as likely participants in a most daring and successful scheme.

History texts most often focus on great heroes and dastardly villains. Christmas

Conspiracy speaks to the daily trials and tribulations faced by those left behind as the

(mostly male) patriots went off to war. It is a good winter's read.

Pre-Order your copy now and take advantage of the pre-publication price.
Christmas Conspiracy will be available exclusively through The Bookery, in
Mill Race Village or through their web site. A refundable $5.00 deposit is required
to hold your copy.

The Bookery, LLC 20 White Street Mount Holly, NJ 08060

609.220.4466

bookeryllc@verizon.net www.thebookeryllc.com

At present, anticipated list price is between $16-20.

Your discounted pre-publication price would be $12-15.