On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

To begin our discussion. Questions and general comments, but no spoilers please.

I read this a few years ago. While I don't consider it high literature I really enjoyed it and will be following along with the discussion.

I may get to this. I was sighing when I noticed the page count.

I am going to give it a try. Several people have told me it's good because it was Woods first novel, written before he became an assembly line writer. Sort of like Grisham's novel "A Time to Kill" was his best work, before he got famous and started churning them out.

I read this in one marathon sitting fueled with Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Drinks. As Tom said, enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to the discussion.

I have my copy and hope to join in a week or so.

Starting this one today. It seems every book store has about a hundred Stuart Woods books but I had no idea he was a Southern writer and had written a Southern-themed book until Goodreads recommended it to me. Although this is listed as the first in a series, it doesn’t sound like the rest of the series has much in common with this one.

Just finished "Book 1" (the novel is split into three "books"). Really good so far. Mr Woods' writing style is very readable and to the point, which is probably why he ended up becoming an "assembly line writer" (my new favorite phrase, thanks Diane!). It's like a southern gothic in a mystery/thriller format. I'm quite shaken by the ending of the first book - excited to see what happens in the next two books!

If anybody is worrying about the length though, you shouldn't be. It may have a lot of pages, but the chapters are very short (no more than 10 pages each) and it's a very easy read.

Finished! I'll be posting my thoughts over in the other thread. I think most people will like this book. One thing to keep in mind is that the real "meat" of the story is not the murder mystery mentioned on the back but rather a generational story of happenings and changes in a small town in the Deep South.

Warren, your explanation of the book sounds better than the back cover synopsis. I would rather read about small town personalities than a formula mystery.

Hi Diane, If you enjoy reading more about the small town personalities, you'll definitely enjoy this book. I felt the murder mystery part was kind of just in the background as a way to link each generation together. It really gives a vivid feeling of a small town in Georgia, and although the town of Delano is fictional, the county and its surrounding communities are not. Mr Woods grew up in the same county (Meriwether County, Georgia) so I suspect he is based a lot of the characters on people he actually knew.

I'll hopefully get to it by the end of the month.

I am going to get to it. My copy has an endorsement from Pat Conroy 🥰 but It's looking like the end of the month for me at this point.
Thanks for the encouragement Warren.

Warren wrote: "Just finished "Book 1" (the novel is split into three "books"). Really good so far. Mr Woods' writing style is very readable and to the point, which is probably why he ended up becoming an "assembl..."

Warren, I agree about the ending of Part 1. Just finished it and it definitely was tough and you put it accurately about being shaken up.

This is definitely a page turner so far and the story and generational feel of the book is very engrossing and engaging, as well as the mystery at hand.. I'm intrigued as well to find out how things pan out in the next two parts.

I've read this book multiple times and love it, this and the book Palindrome were the two books that hooked me on Stuart Woods.

There was a made for TV movie starring Wayne Rogers (from the 80s I think) that I enjoyed.

This time I'm listening to an audio version of the book..

Just finished part 2. Some pretty despicable characters in this section, along with some likable ones who are fighting for justice.

I notice each time a part finishes there is a big shift in the next section where I have to get readjusted to the new characters being brought in. Well, on to Book 3....

It’s taken me to about page 70 to settle into the story, but now I’m
captivated. My first book by this author, even though he’s prolific, with a number of novels to his credit. The time period for Book 1 is close to that of Tobacco Road (right before the Depression) and it’s interesting to follow the plight of the cotton farmer.

Libby wrote: "It’s taken me to about page 70 to settle into the story, but now I’m
captivated. My first book by this author, even though he’s prolific, with a number of novels to his credit. The time period for ..."

Libby, I agree. I'm close to finishing novel, but I think I enjoyed Book1 the best. I agree about the plight of the cotten farmer and the description of the setting and characters coming into their own. I think Woods really excels in Book 1 of setting up what is to come in the next two.

Starting today. Are you all reading the paperback? I appreciated the foreward by the author.

Franky wrote: "Libby wrote: "It’s taken me to about page 70 to settle into the story, but now I’m
captivated. My first book by this author, even though he’s prolific, with a number of novels to his credit. The ti..."

Franky, I thought I liked Book 1 best, but there was so much suspense in Book 2, and now Book 3 arrives with an unexpected twist. Woods certainly did do a good job of setting everything up. I haven't read anything that doesn't seem 100% credible.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Starting today. Are you all reading the paperback? I appreciated the foreward by the author."

Cathrine, I'm reading a hardback, but it has the foreword, and I agree it makes the book much more interesting, to see this connection with the author's family. The library book I'm reading is one of the 25th anniversary editions.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Starting today. Are you all reading the paperback? I appreciated the foreward by the author."

I'm reading the paperback (Signet) version, so there isn't any forward or introduction in my copy. I always love reading those intros to the novel though. I always like reading up on why an author writes a book and what motivates him or her to tell a certain story or what they drew inspiration from.

Franky I have the "new paperback edition" from 2005.
Woods wrote that only 20,000 hardbacks were printed and are now rare, this was his first and favorite novel, and was inspired by his maternal grandfather a cotton farmer who lost his farm to the boll weevil and later got a job in a new town as their first police chief.
I'm just starting now so will come back after I get going.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Franky I have the "new paperback edition" from 2005.
Woods wrote that only 20,000 hardbacks were printed and are now rare, this was his first and favorite novel, and was inspired by his maternal gr..."

Catherine, thanks for the information. I just finished the novel and that totally makes sense. He does mention (in a quick note after the novel) that the character of Will Henry was inspired from his grandfather and that he was rummaging through some family items when he found his police badge.

Finished Book 1 and Warren was right about it being a very easy read. I'm extra appreciating this because I needed some 'leisure wear' reading comfort. I was recalling Places In The Heart (film) with the setting and events brought to life here.

Through part 2. GR does not have the correct information on page count showing my copy at 430 pages when actually it has 576 (although it does read more like 430 with generous spacing.
I'm really enjoying this. Should finish up by tonight or tomorrow and then check out the final thoughts thread. I'm traveling to British Columbia on Tuesday and thought to take this mass market paperback with me on the plane but that's not going to happen!