For Fans of the Culper Ring and the Revolutionary War
To Outwit Them All by Peggy Wirgau is a fast-paced, easy-to-read novel that explores the identity of Culper Ring Agent 355. This book is perfect for fans of history, of the Revolutionary War, and most specifically, the Culper Ring.
Spoiler-Free Summary
While her uncle William Floyd has risked his life to sign the Declaration of Independence, young Betty Floyd spends her days on the New York social scene. Attending balls and parties and charming those around her, Betty is the epitome of a British loyalist and socialite. But when a soldier she has grown attached to is murdered in a British prison, Betty begins to question just where her loyalties should lie.
What I Liked
- Writing Style – Wirgau is a talented, experienced author with an easy-to-read but quality writing style.
- Pacing – To Outwit Them All never lingers too long in one place. The plot constantly is moving but without being confusing or too fast to follow.
- Plot – I enjoyed the storyline of Betty reeling from her soldier-friend’s death and how that drove her to make the choices she did. I also liked her relationship with Major John Andre and the tension that added to her situation.
- Historical Setting – Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. While I have read numerous WWII novels, I always love coming across a new one about American history. This was a perfect pick!
- Characters – Betty is an imperfect young woman, as are most of the characters in the novel. But she is likable and relatable, which makes this read all the more engaging.
If You Enjoy…
If you’re a fan of…
- Historical fiction
- Clean fiction (no language or sexual content)
- Strong protagonists
- American history
- The Revolutionary War
- Spies and spy plots
Then To Outwit Them All should definitely be on your to-read list!
Similar Titles You Should Try:
- Salt to the Sea (Ruta Sepetys)
- Between Shades of Gray (Ruta Sepetys)
- The Italian Ballerina (Kristy Cambron)
- The Ballantyne Legacy (Laura Frantz)
- Flight of the Sparrow (Amy Belding Brown)
Final Thoughts
To Outwit Them All gets four stars from me! I enjoyed it and had no complaints about it, but it wasn’t my most favorite novel ever. I would one hundred percent recommend it! And I would absolutely check out other books by Wirgau.
Content Rating: Mild
for some injury/illness descriptions
Copyright Peggy Wirgau and Iron Steam Fiction. Image from Amazon.