jbronderbookreviews

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

By Michael McLellan

Genre: Historical Fiction

Henry was born into slavery; his young life spent working in tobacco drying sheds on Missouri plantations. Freed at the onset of the Civil War, he’s alone, starving, and on the run from Confederate militiamen.

Five years later, Clara Hanfield, the daughter of a powerful New York shipping magnate, escapes her tyrannical father and travels west in pursuit of John Elliot, the man she loves. John, a U.S. Army lieutenant, was sent to the Dakota Territory where he discovers a government conspiracy to incite an all-out war with the Indians; a war meant to finally eliminate them as an obstacle to the westward expansion.

Henry finds himself caught in the middle.

Aided by Clara, John, and his native ally, Standing Elk, Henry must battle hatred, greed, and the ghosts of his past during this turbulent and troubling time in American history.

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Praise for In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

“The book uniquely conveys a story about the time in history; and at the same time, it feels like it is of the time in history. Imbued with plain, straightforward language, the writing cuts to the bones of the plot. It is a pleasure to read clean prose such as McLellan’s.”  – Sarah Margolis Pearce, author of The Promise of Fate

“The author sends out a strong reminder of our past.” – Chitra Iyer

About the Author

Michael’s love of books began with Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle when he was seven-years-old. Later influenced by the works of John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Stephen King, and Cormac McCarthy, Michael developed his style of storytelling. A self-proclaimed blue-collar writer, he draws on his experiences and observations to bring relevant and compelling topics to life.

Michael lives in Northern California, and when he’s not writing, he can usually be found wandering around the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges.

His body of work includes the 2014 novel After and Again, the 2015 novel American Flowers, and the shorts Joe Price and Anywhere But Here.

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Publisher: Sweet Candy Press

My Review

5 Stars

Henry is a slave that grew up working in the tobacco sheds in plantations and is freed at the start of the Civil War just to find himself prosecuted by prejudice and hatred. He quickly finds himself in trouble yet finds help in an unlikely place. This leads him down a new path in life as a guide then an advocate for the Indians.

At the same time we follow the story of disgraced soldier John Elliot and Clara Hanfield. Clara’s father forbids their love and tries to send John west hoping Clara will find someone new. This backfires when Clara decides to go looking for John herself. There we meet as John and Henry find a government conspiracy to get rid of the Indian’s for good.

This is a wonderful look at a very dark period in our history. Henry is thrown into this hard world and quickly finds himself at the hangman’s noose. Although he is looked down on, he changes his world and becomes a guide and an advocate for the Indians that helped him.

John is a disgrace and can focus on nothing but how to improve his status. But when he learns of the government’s plan to eradicate the Indians he knows it’s more to help those in need than his social standing. Thank goodness Clara was there to help him.

I admit that I don’t usually read historical stories but I was drawn to this book by the description. I think it is because it’s an area of history that is not usually written about. I was drawn in and found myself unable to put this book down. It is very realistic and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I think this is a great story and one that should be checked out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Sage’s Blog Tours for the opportunity to read and share this book.

Excerpt

“Of course it’s murder, you pampered little pup,” Picton hissed, his face only inches from John’s. “You’re even more naive than I first thought you to be. Did you really believe the seventy of us were going to roam the countryside engaging Indian war parties? Frank Picton’s seventy defeats five thousand bloodthirsty braves! How poetic. You are right about one thing: we’re not fighting a war, we are inciting one. Tell me something; do you have the slightest notion of how many Washington fortunes are invested in the western expansion?
In railroads and gold mines, and telegraphs, and cattle, and other ventures beyond counting?…No? Of course you don’t. We are going to finish what Colonel Chivington so ungracefully began. After we resupply we’re riding north into Sioux country to inflame the filthy savages even further. Then, soon, perhaps by this fall, when the heathens have lashed out sufficiently against more innocents, the public outrage will be such that they will be unable to decry the army for finally crushing the red vermin once and for all.”

He sighed and released John’s arm.

“The Indian and the white man will never be able to coexist. It’s been proven, time and again. Treaties fail and only delay the inevitable outcome. This land is ours now. It was ordained by God. Mark my words, John, ten years from now the Indian warrior will be nothing more than a fireside story told to frighten disobedient children.”

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