A Breakneck Flight for Survival After the Civil War - an Editorial Review of "Coldiron"

Book Blurb:

Fulton Missouri residents Sarah and Ruth discover the story of Samantha Coldiron’s flight from the man trying to kill her, and a series of mishaps in a quest for life-saving salt at the end of the Civil War led to a cache of gold that’s never been recovered, as far as they know.

In alternating chapters, Sarah and Ruth’s breakneck journey to North Carolina in 1984 and Samantha’s harrowing flight out of North Carolina trying to escape Frank Daniels in 1864 are told. Sarah and Ruth only have a week to get to North Carolina, find out where Samantha lived and ask the owner if they can look for the gold and get back before they lose their jobs.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/H171NK

Editorial Review:

There’s a treasure hunt. And dual timelines. No further information is actually required. This reviewer already knows that “Coldiron” by JS Perry will be an all-consuming reading experience. The first chapter was eagerly inhaled – Ruth and Sarah are exploring a creepy old building in Missouri, USA, in 1984, and making a pivotal discovery. The story then moves back to 1864, where Samantha (Sam) is on the run. 

“Sarah and Ruth cast sideways glances at each other. The Old North Ward of what was once the Missouri State Lunatic Asylum stood in the distance.

“Are you sure?” Ruth whispered.

Sarah whispered back. “You know I’ve wanted to see the inside of the Old North Ward since we both started working here in 1960. It was boarded up in 1940 so there was no chance for me to go in.”

“If we get caught, we’ll not only lose our jobs, we’ll also be arrested. Just because we’re best friends doesn’t mean we’ll be cellmates.”

Sarah stifled a giggle as she shivered with excitement. “I know, but I’ve heard so many stories. I want to see inside before it’s too late. See the wrecking ball there?” Sarah pointed. “They’re using it to tear the building down tomorrow. If you don’t want to come, I understand.””

Two such disparate times, but Perry makes it work, drawing in the reader with compelling characterization and a great storyline. Sam, Uncle Prince, Sarah and Ruth are all distinct from each other, with differing dialogue, mannerisms and motivations. The author has taken care to create two equally strong timelines, and does not favour one over the other. So often, readers may find themselves flicking through certain chapters of a dual timeline book, waiting for a return to the “best” timeline, but not here. Not with “Coldiron”. Reading this book is like returning to meet old friends (with secrets) as each chapter unfolds.

 “R.B. and Sidney had made good time from Rogersville. They hadn’t come across anyone except a couple of suspected bushwhackers at Bean Station. They set up their camp a little distance away from the trail in a cluster of trees near the Tennessee/Kentucky border.

“You think we can chance a fire? My fingers are numb, and we need to make some cornpone. We’re out of everything else,” Sidney asked.

R.B. looked at the sky. “These clouds make good cover. Let’s chance it. I won’t unsaddle the horses for a while yet, though. Just in case. We haven’t seen any soldiers, North or South, for a while. Don’t know what that means.”

“I know. It’s awfully quiet. I’ll get the cornpone on. We can’t afford for you to make it. I near about threw up last time and we don’t have much left.”

R.B. smiled but was wistful. “You reckon we’ll find Sam?””

The dialogue throughout “Coldiron” is vivid and authentic. In particular, the discussions between Ruth and Sarah are highly relatable as they struggle to deal with the knowledge they have (including the phone call where they decide in the phone call it’s not safe to discuss events by phone!) and to cope with the mystery they are drawn into.

The contrasts between 1864 and 1984 are stark; Sarah and Ruth have a Ford Torina car, and Sam has a horse named Sugar. Sarah and Ruth are worried about employment; Sam is worried about survival. The setting of the Civil War adds an extra dimension and yet another sub-plot in this multi-layered book. The pacing keeps the pages turning, with the urgency of escape, and also modern day time constraints, emphasizing the speed of the events that occur. The story comes a full circle, with an unexpected ending that ties up all loose ends.

““The ladies in the Register of Deeds office offered the use of their phone, but they declined because they didn’t want to talk about it in front of them. They drove to the pay phone in Hardee’s parking lot. Sarah dialed the number with shaking hands. It rang four times and then a deep voice answered. 

“Hello?”

“Hello. My name is Sarah Davis. My friend Ruth is with me. We’ve traveled all the way from Missouri to Jefferson. We just spent the day in the library and the courthouse looking up records. Are you William R. Royster?”

“I am.”

“Coldiron” by JS Perry is a fantastic read. Devotees of dual timeline novels will not be able to look away, and this story includes mystery and the thrill of a good old-fashioned treasure hunt. Perry’s extensive research is also evident, and it is a tribute to her writing skills that each era is accurately portrayed, with so many small details that add to the authenticity of the setting. A highly memorable book.

*****

“Coldiron” by J.S. Perry receives 4 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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