"Fire Bell in the Night"
By: Geoffrey Edwards
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 978-1-4165-6424-9
Crime, conspiracy, manipulation, racism, slavery, honesty, and mystery are all themes dealt with in this page turning novel. The setting is pre-civil war in the US. The mix of detailed history and research provides a rich learning experience about America of the past through the telling of a unique historical trial in the South. North-South divisions are debated through the perspectives of southern plantation owners, residents and a northern reporter, John Sharp.
Throughout this story, we learn about a simple man, Darcy Calhoun, who is charged with harboring a slave. We learn about this man's history and fate through the investigative reporting of John Sharp. John uncovers many secrets that are held by the plantation owners throughout his adventures.
Angry mobs and fires are common occurrences in this normally quant city of Charleston, SC. John's little friend Samuel helps to research the fires and disturbances around the city which lead to further discoveries and several near death experiences for John.
At the end of the trial, John struggles with the information he uncovers about his new friend Darcy Calhoun. John must decide how to handle this information as he will have to live with these decisions that will impact the rest of his life. These life changing experiences make John a stronger character as he has grown from a novice questioning reporter to a decisive strong man at the conclusion of the novel.
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Comments: 22
Hi Amy,
From what I took from the Novel, the plantation owners were setting fires to their businesses/warehouses making it look like the slaves and free black were setting the fires in revolt over the pending trial. Once the President died the community was relieved to have a more pro-slavery president hence the cancellation of the raid on the Fort. Also once Darcy was hung, the controversy in the town was over and the community returned to a more normal condition (less hostile).
Geoffrey, am I on the right track with your novel?
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I am so glad you liked the book.
FYI, you are spot on with your assessment of the fires. Spot on.
Best,
Douglas Quinn
www.douglasquinn.com