In the fall of 1863, the Union Army controls the Mississippi River and much of Louisiana, as the Civil War rolls on.

Wade Lufkin is a man without a country or a cause - an idle spectator since New Orleans surrendered, he now paints at his uncle's plantation. That is until he finds an intriguing new subject...

Hannah Laveau is an enslaved woman who stands accused of everything from adultery to insurrection, from magic to murder. But all she wants is to find her missing son - and she will risk her life for it.

When Hannah goes on the run, she must dodge the calculating and merciless local constable and the slavecatchers that prowl the bayou as she flees through Louisiana, from the cottonmouth snakes and tree-lined swamps to the dingy saloons of New Orleans.

From 'the king of Southern noir' (Daily Mirror) comes a powerful and deeply moving Civil War thriller - a story of tragic acts of war, lost and desperate people, and love enduring through it all.

PRAISE FOR JAMES LEE BURKE, THE AWARD-WINNING KING OF SOUTHERN NOIR:

'James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed' Michael Connelly

'A gorgeous prose stylist' Stephen King

'No argument: James Lee Burke is among the finest of all contemporary American novelists' Daily Mail

About the Author
James Lee Burke is the author of many novels, and the critically-acclaimed, bestselling Detective Dave Robicheaux series. He won the Edgar Award for both Cimarron Rose and Black Cherry Blues, and Sunset Limited was awarded the CWA Gold Dagger. Two For Texas was adapted for television, and Heaven's Prisoners and In the Electric Mist for film. Burke has been a Breadloaf Fellow and Guggenheim Fellow, has been awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America and has been nominated for a Pulitzer award. He lives with his wife, Pearl, in Missoula, Montana. www.jamesleeburke.com

Reviews
Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced * Daily Mail *
The king of southern noir * Daily Mirror *
One of the finest American writers * Guardian *
James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed * Michael Connelly *
A gorgeous prose stylist * Stephen King *
James Lee Burke is the reigning champ of nostalgia noir * New York Times Book Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9781398715509
Author James Lee Burke
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Orion
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 536g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 162mm * 32mm