Fire Bell in the Night - Richly Layered Thrilling Historical Novel

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	• Fire Bell in the Night: A Novel Geoffrey Edwards Touchstone, 2007 - 464 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Fire Bell in the Night - Richly Layered Thrilling Historical Novel

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

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 harboring a fugitive slave was a capital crime.

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 militia 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 secessionist conspiracy and head off war.

Set against the trial and sharply divisive disputes is the genteel, sophisticated society of Willowby plantation owner 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 studied 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, Georgia. 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....

* * *

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

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A Fiery Historical Novel

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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Tension and Fire

Charleston was hot in June of l850. There had been a slave uprising and a white family was brutally murdered. The tension was at its height. There had been several fires through out the city. People were afraid of whose house would go up in flames next. On top of everything else Darcy Calhoun a white farmer's trial was ready to start. Calhoun was accused of harboring a slave. John Sharp a the New York reporter had arrived to get the story on the Calhoun case. John a greenhorn was determined to uncover the truth. This is a most interesting book of the tension among our nation before the war. Edwards is very talented writer. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River

Writing as a Small BusinessQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelTravelersThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

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A fine example of historical fiction

I bought this book out of curiosity. It was a reader's chioce in the Gather First Chapters competition. Could it possibly stand on its own merit as an entertaining and thought-provoking read? Could winning a popularity contest possibly correlate with quality, professional work?

About 10 pages in, it's clear that Geoffrey is a real writer, with real ideas and real literary talent. The man writes masterfully. There's nothing fancy about it, he lets the story unfold at its own pace with solid writing chops.
Beyond a compelling and easy-to-read story, I appreciate how he shows both sides of the issues behind the civil war that cost so many lives. If you like historical fiction, then this book belongs on your bookshelf. I consider myself a bit of a talent scout and I predict that Geoffrey has a long and successful career ahead of him. Well done, sir!
Ken Coffman is the author of Steel Waters, Glen Wilson's Bad Medicine and five other novels.

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The best elements...

What a pleasant surprise this novel turned out to be! It has most of the best elements of fine literature: a thoroughly engaging plot, excellent research, cleverly drawn characters with distinct goals, and a fish-out-of-water protagonist. Although the story focuses on the pre-Civil War South, there are a few passages that resonate with our modern society (not slavery, of course, but other issues). Also, the author slyly shows dual sides of the thorny issue of slavery and justice. The middle section, set mostly on the plantation, drags a bit and Sharp's arrival there requires a touch of willing suspension of disbelief, but no more than any similar novel. The finale, however, is both surprising and satisfying. Put this novel on your bookshelf beside E.L. Doctorow's The March.

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reviews: page 1, 2

Filled with historic details of the time, Fire Bell in the Night explores the explosive tension between North and South, black and white, that gripped Charleston, South Carolina, in the summer of 1850. Geoffrey S. Edwards's first novel tells the story of New York Tribune reporter John Sharp, sent to cover the capital trial of Darcy Calhoun, a farmer who stands accused of harboring a fugitive slave.

As the trial begins, John quickly realizes that not everything is as it appears in the genteel city of Charleston. A series of mysterious fires in white establishments brings the state militia, a curfew for the black population, and rising tension at the courthouse. To unravel the city's secrets, Sharp must enter Charleston's plantation society, where he is befriended by Tyler Breckenridge, owner of the Willowby plantation, and his beautiful sister Clio.

Set against the backdrop of a nation headed toward civil war, Fire Bell in the Night is a page-turning account of a trial and one young reporter's efforts to discover the truth.

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