What if the only way to survive your life is to go back in history and right the wrongs of two other men’s lives?
1790, French Caribbean: biracial plantation owner Patrice Beaumont is known as a “kinder” slave master, but his trusted friend reminds him that is no cause for pride. He claims to be committed to ending slavery, but his actions don’t back-up his words. Is being the “best of the worst” all he’s capable of?
1863, New York City: Giant Irish street fighter Patrick Allen is days away from battling it out with a similarly oversized Black fighter, when the Draft Riots ignite dangerous racial conflicts around the city. Never one to take sides outside the ring or join a fight he can’t win, he steers clear of the angry mobs. So when he stumbles on a lynching in progress, who can expect him to do anything more than look away?
Modern day, New York City: Patrick Walsh, a day trader by occupation and a daydreamer by disposition, sits alone on his terrace trading his portfolio, and staring out at the city skyline. Alone feels right…always has, and he’s fairly certain, always will.
Besides having a similar name and a proclivity to make tragic mistakes, what mystery ties these men together?
Professional Reviews
A tale of redemption for the ages
By Daniela Otero on April 8, 2015
Format: Paperback
"Sometimes doing your best isn't enough to fix the problem, but it should be enough to clear your conscience."
Historical fiction has the unique ability to transport the reader to a time other than their own. A time that actually occurred. Allen succeeds resoundingly in conveying the internal struggle of three men. All connected, not merely by their moniker, but by their decisions and the repercussion of their actions, or lack there of.
Whilst reading the novel, I felt the same cinematic and overpowering surge of emotions I felt whilst reading Anthony Doerr's novel "All the Light We Cannot See". With a dash of Marcus Sedgwick's "Midwinterblood", one must admit that Allen hit a gold mine here. Interconnected narratives with magical realism and fantasy = Superb.
Five stars for an amazing read
By Denny J 29 March 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
Absolutely amazing book, very well researched. It was one of those books you cannot put down, the details were impressive. The author had previously researched his ancestors and then has written a novel about some of them, weaving in historical details about uprisings, slavery and also the influx of Irish immigrants into the USA, and the harshness of their lives.
I cannot recommend this book enough, I believe this is the first novel by A Allen as I went onto his blog and did not find any other titles by him, which is a great shame because I would like to read more books by him, he is definitely my favourite author at this moment!
Epic Story Across Two Centuries
By Jada Ryker on April 4, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
The story begins with the appearance of a mysterious woman. Patrick Walsh is shocked. How can a dead woman visit him? Unless…
The story is complex on many levels. It includes important societal themes, both for today and from a historical prospective. It's also about evaluating one's life, priorities, and actions. Finally, it's about second chances, and Patrick's very own West Side Story.
