Release date: February 21, 2024.
Publication Sheet & Sell Sheet
[The] author…has seamlessly incorporated well-known medical, political, and military figures of the time into a well-woven fictional account of an ordinary U.S. Lieutenant, from a humble background who not only falls in love with a beautiful local but plays a major part in the biggest medical conundrum of the time. This is a fantastic read that I can highly recommend.
For fans of historical fiction interested in developments in medicine, The Fever Hut is an informative and engaging read. …readers will welcome the novel for the well-crafted setting and the fresh plot centering around advances in disease.
“The Fever Hut”…is a uniquely compelling historical fiction that explores the lesser-known aspects of the American invasion of Cuba in 1898, providing readers with a unique perspective on the tumultuous events of that era. Through the eyes of Assistant Surgeon Duncan Cleary, readers are plunged into the chaotic scenes of war, the relentless struggle against disease, and the intricate web of political tensions that defined the era.
What makes this book’s perspective so unique is its focus on the scientific aspects of the conflict, particularly Cleary’s pioneering efforts to uncover the source of yellow fever. As Cleary navigates military bureaucracy, racial tensions, and threats from foreign officials, readers are drawn into a world of intrigue and danger where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
At its core, “The Fever Hut” is a story about resilience, courage, and the pursuit of truth in the face of overwhelming odds. As Cleary and his colleagues race against time to find a cure for yellow fever, they confront not only the physical challenges of the disease but also the entrenched beliefs and rivalries that threaten to derail their efforts. This book offers a fresh perspective on a pivotal moment in history. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in the intersection of medicine, politics, and war.
Harriette Rinaldi, author of Four Faces of Truth
The author keeps readers riveted from the first page, as he takes them on a dark, twisted and dangerous journey to Cuba in the late 19th century, where deadly disease, North/South, and black/white American prejudice thrive in the steamy jungles. I really enjoyed this amazing book by a truly masterful writer!
Jane Ver Mulm, author of Finding Paradise
With exquisite detail, McSweegan draws you in and illustrates both the futility and chaos of war against man and the battle against disease. He artfully inserts enough friendship, love, mystery, and even comic relief to break the tension of this novel that introduces the reader to this little known part of history, which had a significant influence on the future of world politics and the practice of medicine.
As a microbiologist, I always wondered why Walter Reed was famous for “conquering” yellow fever, an often-fatal viral infection in the tropics and the American South. After all, he had never seen a case of yellow fever until he arrived in Cuba, and even then, he hardly spent any time on the island. So, rather than write a bit of commentary for some science journal, I decided to write a novel about two doctors—an Irish-American Army surgeon and an African-American contract surgeon—caught up in the war in Cuba and the dangers of yellow fever, and how Reed managed to step into the scientific limelight in the last days of the 19th century.
