Genre: Magical Realism/Fantasy/Folk Tales
Description:
“Torreya, a small 1950s Florida Panhandle town, is losing its men.
They disappear on nights with no moon and no witnesses. Foreclosure signs
appear in their yards the following day while thugs associated with the Klan
take everything of value from inside treasured homes that will soon be torn
down. The police won't investigate, and the church keeps its distance from all
social and political discord.
Conjure woman Eulalie Jenkins, her shamanistic cat, Lena, and neighbor
Willie Tate discover that the new 'whites only' policy at the once friendly
mercantile and the creation of a plantation-style subdivision are linked to
corrupt city fathers, the disappearing men, rigged numbers gambling, and a powerful
hoodoo man named Washerwoman. After he refuses to carry Eulalie's herbs and
eggs and Willie's corn, mercantile owner Lane Walker is drawn into the web of
lies before he, too, disappears.
Washerwoman knows how to cover his tracks with the magic he learned
from Florida's most famous root doctor, Uncle Monday, so he is more elusive
than hen's teeth, more dangerous that the Klan, and threatens to brutally
remove any obstacle in the way of his profits. In this follow up to Conjure
Woman's Cat, Eulalie and Lena face their greatest challenge with scarce support
from townspeople who are scared of their own shadows. Even though Eulalie is
older than dirt, her faith in the good Lord and her endless supply of spells
guarantee she will give Washerwoman a run for his ill-gotten money in this
swamps and piney woods story.”
Author:
Malcolm R. Campbell lives in north Georgia and has worked as a
corporate communications director, technical writer, and college journalism
instructor. He now works as a grant writer for museums and other nonprofit
organizations.
“Campbell's fantasy novels were inspired by his work in Glacier
National Park, an aircraft carrier cruise, and time spent in Florida's swamps.
His paranormal ghost stories were inspired (of course) by his experiences with things
that go bump in the night.”
To learn more check out Mr. Campbell’s website, blog, or follow him on
Facebook.
Appraisal:
I love Lena’s irreverent narration throughout this story. She is able
to give us a unique perspective of an era from the past most of us haven’t
experienced. Since Lena is a cat she can’t be bothered by human emotions,
unless you are scratching her behind her ears. This tale, while being fiction,
rings true on many facts. The addition of magical realism brings us an
eccentric, enthralling, and entertaining history of days gone by.
It wasn’t all white mistreatment and abuse on the black population,
there was black on black abuse as well. Greed is the common agent that knows no
color. Thank goodness Eulalie is around to try to set some misdeeds right.
Pitted against a powerful hoodoo man, who practices black magic, it’s
questionable whether Eulalie can outwit and best Washerwoman to return a more
even balance of powers in her corner of the world. The struggles are realistic
of the time.
I love that Eulalie’s and Willie Tate’s relationship is more fully
explained and I am glad Adelaide, Eulalie’s daughter, is back in town. Old
family secrets are exposed and this made my heart smile. Please be aware that
the language in this story is not always politically correct, however it is
true to the era. I found this a thoroughly enjoyable tale and while the main
story arc was brought to a satisfactory end for the time being, things are
still open. Also, Eulalie takes off on a whole new adventure that is sure to be
entertaining on an emotional level.
I can’t wait!
Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK
FYI:
Eulalie and Washerwoman is book two in Malcolm R. Campbell’s, Florida
Folk Magic Stories. I believe this can be read as a standalone, however the
characters are unique and some depth could be lost. Also, please be aware that
the language is not always politically correct, however it is true to the era.
Original review posted January 23, 2017.
Format/Typo
Issues:
I came across a small number of proofing issues.
Rating: *****
Five Stars
Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words
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