Australian author David Cairns of Finavon has been named a winner in the 2026 Book Excellence Awards for his historical mystery novel, The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice: The Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. The award recognizes books that demonstrate excellence in writing, storytelling, and overall reader appeal across a wide range of submissions.
The novel revisits the events surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln through a fictional investigation that combines historical facts with mystery and suspense. Set in Washington, D.C., during the closing days of the American Civil War, the story follows Major Findo Gask and his investigative companion, Erroll Rait, as they become involved in efforts to prevent Lincoln’s assassination before uncovering questions surrounding the official investigation.
Drawing on extensive historical research, the book explores the political tensions, intelligence operations, and legal proceedings that followed Lincoln’s death while encouraging readers to examine one of the most widely discussed episodes in American history from a fresh perspective.
According to Cairns, the idea for the novel emerged while researching the Pinkerton Detective Agency and its historical role in protecting President Lincoln from an earlier assassination attempt. Further investigation into historical records inspired him to build a fictional narrative around unresolved questions and the broader political climate of the period.
Before becoming a full-time novelist, Cairns spent decades in senior executive roles as a chief executive and chief financial officer in the technology industry, working across multiple continents. Following his retirement to Australia, he turned his attention to historical fiction, inspired in part by research into his family’s history. That work eventually led to his first published novel and the creation of recurring investigator Major Findo Gask.
His novels are known for combining historical events with fictional characters, allowing readers to experience real locations, historical figures, and significant moments through investigative storytelling. Literary reviewers have noted the atmospheric style of his writing and its focus on historical authenticity.
Speaking about the recognition, Cairns said the Book Excellence Award was especially meaningful because it acknowledged the years of research invested in the project while helping introduce the novel to a broader audience.
Beyond recounting historical events, The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice explores themes of justice, political influence, and critical thinking. Cairns says he hopes readers will question accepted narratives and appreciate the importance of evaluating evidence independently, both in historical events and contemporary society.
The award-winning novel is available through major online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
