This was the nerdiest, dorkiest book ever. And it was awesome. So awesome, in fact, that the minute I finished the book, I googled Colonial Williamsburg. (PS. Their website address is www.history.org *Russell Crowe in Gladiator voice* NERDS UNITE.) 
 Like the great rivalries of yore -- Montagues vs Capulets, Jets vs Sharks, Lucille I vs Lucille II -- the Colonials and the Civil Warriors are enmeshed in a decades long battle. It started when Civil War Reenactmentland had the audacity to open across the street from Colonial Essex Village. This much history in one place may sound too good to be true, but according to the Colonial Williamsburg website, there's a Historic Jamestowne less than 10 miles away. However, they just formed a partnership. 
 Our heroine Elizabeth Connelly, government name: Chelsea Glaser, is descended from historical interpreters, i.e., her parents do this shit too. Her life has been Colonial Essex Village since she was 6 years old. This familiarity with the land and the history gets her elected as the Colonials' Lieutenant. Right after she's elected though, she gets captured by some Civil Warriors including a tall, handsome fella, an Ultimate Warrior if you will. 
 Look, some people descend from reenactors and some people descend from WWF fans. Thanks, Grandpa. 
 What follows, besides Cold! Hard! Vengeance!, is the geekiest prank war imaginable. It's the battle of anachronisms, which to a historical interpreter is akin to slapping them on the face AND insulting their mama. Chelsea and co. strike back by placing phones, those modern, newfangled contraptions, throughout Reenactmentland right before opening time. 
 You can discover the rest of the shenanigans for yourself, including some thorough discussion about ice cream. 
 Oh, but it can, Draco. 
 I was pleasantly surprised and very amused by Past Perfect. I loved the tone, the humor, the setting, and even those slutty milliner girls. It reminded me a bit of an angst-free Jellicoe Road. I highly recommend this book -- and then we can all road trip to Colonial Williamsburg together! Leila Sales even made a Past Perfect playlist for us via Spotify! http://bit.ly/obw8MX