October 25, 2021
Loudin Thomas (The Right Kind of Fool) introduces a multifaceted cast desperately trying to survive the Great Depression in 1930s West Virginia, in this strong historical. Gainey Floyd acts as postmistress at the general store in Mount Lookout. When Sullivan “Sulley” Harris comes to town full of slick talk of his “unique abilities” to douse for water, Gainey has her doubts, but makes him a deal: find a well for a poor family in need, and only then will she refer him to folks who can shell out for his services. When Sulley sources water, even he’s surprised. Hot on Sulley’s heels is Jeremiah Weber, sent from the last town Sulley bilked out of their savings. But with Sully’s recent success, the townsfolk begin to wonder if he might be able to find other things, such as lost family members. The small-town plot’s set against the real-life Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster, and the folksy ensemble soon become entrenched in the ramifications of workers’ exposure to silica dust and the horrendous toll it took on the men digging the tunnel, giving Loudin Thomas impetus to underline the impact of acts of caring in a community. This one’s for readers who like a clear moral with their story. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary Agency