Serpent in the Pines by Oscar Patton

The Civil War is over but the fighting isn't done.  The local mill is run by Yankees who want the lumber money that can be made.  The southerners want to keep their farms and raise their animals and crops without losing all their trees.  Even land titles are subject to court cases.  How does a newly widowed woman survive in those circumstances?

The author sent me a copy of his book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can grab a copy now.  He also has other books written in this time period about some of the characters you meet here.

Mr. Patton writes well.  His words flow smoothly and there's enough action to keep your attention.  It's historical fiction based on fact and you feel like you're living there in that time.

His characters are interesting and human.  The widow knows how to use a gun and she'll need to before the story is over.  She has a crush on the sheriff but he's got a problem from things he saw and did in the war.  The man who wants to marry her daughter is crooked but he wants her badly.

There are conspiracies within conspiracies.  A good man is killed.  The wicked ones eventually get what they are due but not until more bad things have happened.  It's all believable and despicable.

As this story closes, life goes on.  Some people are settled, others are not, and some end up in jail.  This is the end of this part of the story but there's still more that could be written.  I enjoyed this enough, I'd be interested in more of the tales about Satilla County.  Give a try and see what you think.