Fiction by Jonathan W. Sweet

Winner of the Bookfest Award for Historical Thrillers (2025)

History tells us that the life of John Wilkes Booth ended April 26, 1865, on a Virginia farm. The fatal shot, fired by Union soldier Thomas “Boston” Corbett, earned him the title Lincoln’s Avenger—and a lifetime of unwanted fame.

Nearly thirty years later, Corbett has sought refuge in the remote forests of northern Minnesota, haunted by his past. But his fragile peace is shattered when he begins receiving letters from someone claiming to be Booth. What begins as an unsettling correspondence turns into a shocking reality when Corbett comes face-to-face with the man he killed decades earlier.

As Corbett confronts the truth—and his own haunted soul—a new disaster looms. The Great Hinckley Fire, a raging inferno destined to leave hundreds dead, will soon ignite, leaving devastation in its wake and raising even more questions about the past …

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The 1930s in the Twin Cities. Minnesota's largest cities are beset by corruption and organized crime has free rein. 

Winner of the Bookfest Award for Historical Thrillers

3X finalist for the Pulp Factory Awards

Writercon Finalist

A Minnesota Writes, Minnesota Reads selection

"Sweet spins a fast-paced tale set against authentic backgrounds and history to deliver a truly rewarding tale. … The Red Jackal is what good New Pulp is all about." — Pulp Grandmaster Ron Fortier