Books like The whiskey rebels by David Liss

Set in the turbulent years after the American Revolution, "The Whiskey Rebels" follows former spy Ethan Saunders, cast out of the Continental Army, as he is recruited by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton to find a missing veteran and navigate a power struggle with Thomas Jefferson over the nascent Bank of the United States. Meanwhile, Joan Maycott, married to a fellow Revolutionary veteran, abandons the overtaxed eastern cities for the frontier of western Pennsylvania, where she becomes a pioneer of whiskey distillation—a lucrative but dangerous commodity that draws the attention of Hamilton’s rivals. The narratives of Saunders and Maycott intersect, forcing each to confront their loyalties and the disintegration of the new nation. David Liss weaves historical detail and suspense into a tale of ambition, betrayal, and the economic forces that shaped early America. The novel is a vivid portrait of a fledgling republic on the brink of division, showcasing the struggles of veterans, the politics of Washington, and the resilience of frontier settlers.

First publish date: 2008