Fire Bell in the Night by Geoffrey Edwards - book review

As many here know, Geoffrey Edwards is the Finalist in the Gather First Chapters Writing Competition that began last January in connection with Touchstone/Simon & Schuster.

Geoffrey's novel, Fire Bell in the Night, is now for sale as of today, September 18, at Borders Books, Barnes & Noble and at Amazon CLICK HERE

There is an Official GatherING in Chicago, today, Sept. 18: CLICK HERE

For more BOOK TOUR dates: CLICK HERE

More info at Geoffrey's group

firebell.gather.com.  To join, click here.

Fire Bell in the Night is a gripping historical novel set in the pre-civil war South of 1850 and tells the story of  New York reporter John Sharp,  who is sent to cover the trial of Darcy Calhoun, a local farmer accused of harboring a fugitive slave.

Nothing in our contemporary reference can prepare the modern reader for the magnitude of what this trial meant in the time period, because haboring a fugitive slave was a capital crime.

 Fire Bell in the Night by Geoffrey S. Edwards, published by Touchstone

Filled with rich historical details, Fire Bell in the Night  has reporter Sharp match up with fellow reporter Owen Conway  who, together believe that local scion Tyler Breckenridge may be involved in a covert militia buildup.

The novel is set in the highly charged atmosphere of threats of secession and war of the Crisis of 1850, an historical period that began after America's victory over Mexico in 1848, but which ignited slavery as a divisive issue, once again. The new lands as set by the ending of the Mexican War were threatening to tip the balance between the 14 free states and 14 slave states.  If California and New Mexico were admitted as free states, then the South would secede from the Union. (From the book's Preface and also from Geoffrey's website)

As the novel unfolds, mysterious fires in white establishments bring in the milita and a curfew for blacks, thus increasing the already-thick tension in the fugitive slave trial of farmer Darcy Calhoun, while reporters Sharp and Conway try to expose the secessioinist conspiracy and head off war.

Set against the trial and sharply divisive disputes is the genteel, sophisticated society of Willowby plantationowner Tyler Breckenridge and his lovely sister, Clio.

A book excerpt, from the beginning of Darcy Calhoun's tiral:  

"For a moment the courtroom was silent as everyone sudied the accused. Then, a solitary "boo" rang out, followed by countless other cries of disdain. As wordless condemnation rained down from the balcony in powerful unity, Darcy Nance Calhoun raised his head to look at the crowd.

With each surge in the catcalls, he hunched forward his shoulder just a fraction, bracing as if a physical object had been hurled. Still, he was far from cowering. He looked less like a beaten man than one filled with interest, peeking up at the rafters like a squirrel from its hole. His eyes darted about the courtroom, and though he seemed frightened, he was not afraid to lock eyes. His stare descended to the lower level, stopping momentarily on those who stuck out: the lawyers, Mr. Aubry, the odd man in the black suit...

John studied the eyes that met his, bright sky blue irises filled with a furtive curiosity. He was clean-shaven, revealing a seasoned tan on top of his light complexion. Two large ears poked through his hair and stuck out almost sideways, features that were just short of comical....

...As the murmur tapered to silence, the sheriff led Darcy Nance to the far table of lawyers. He unlocked the prisoner's cuffs, then picked up a sheet of paper from the desk. ...

 ..."The accused stands charged with violation of the Fugitive Slave Act of this nation, ratified by Congress in the year of our Lord, 1793. That on the date June 2 of this year, the accused assisted in the attempted runaway of a slave belonging to Mr. Giles Irwin of Chatham County, Gerogia. That he attempted to harbor and assist this property in its deception. And that, when specifically confronted by a group of citizens pursuing the property, he lied on its behalf. So are the charges brought before this court..." 

..."Excuse me, Mr. Calhoun. Are you telling me that you are not satisfied with your counsel?" 

"Yes, Your Honor..."  

...The courtroom hummed, and the reporters present went scurrying into their pockets for pen and paper....

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 Fire Bell in the Night is a thrilling must read - not only for history lovers, but for everybody.

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Paperback,464 pages
ISBN-10: 1416564241
ISBN-13: 978-1416564249
$15.00 US
$17.50 CAN

Also available as an ebook. Register at simonsays.com