Moonshine Over Georgia : A Novel Based On Actual Events

by Chris Skates

Greed, poverty, and desperation. As control for the illegal moonshine trade rages, can one honorable man bring compassion and justice to the hills?

Western Georgia, 1946. C.E. “Kid” Miller knows well the evil found in a jug. Disgusted by the husbands he’s pulled out of the woods blind drunk and covered in vomit, the wail of their starving children haunts the revenue agent’s dreams. But his attempts to recruit an insider to snitch on a major bootlegging operation put him on the wrong end of a gun barrel…

With his own life on the line and the gangs growing bolder and more violent, he worries his work demolishing stills will only make his beloved wife a distraught widow. And as the courageous lawman hunts down his now-missing informant, he fears he’s hurtling toward an inevitable showdown with the state’s most notorious crime boss.

Facing betrayal at every turn and a million places to hide a body, can he free the land of soul-destroying corruption before he’s thrown in a shallow grave?

Based on a true-life account, author Chris Skates takes readers into a world vastly different from the good ol‘ boy exploits depicted on popular TV. Drawing on his grandfather’s years of tireless and perilous operations, prison interviews, and historical documents, Skates escorts the reader to a time in America full of heartbreak and breathtaking bravery.

Moonshine Over Georgia is an eye-opening historical fiction novel. If you like tenacious heroes, exploring the past, and setting the record straight, then you’ll love Chris Skates’ powerful tale.

Buy Moonshine Over Georgia to strike the final blow today!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2023

Reviews

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book going into detail about REAL moonshining. I loved listening to it, the narrator did an amazing job. And of course, being from Georgia, I loved hearing about all the places that are in the next counties over!

[Tiffany Hulsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating! I couldn’t put it down. As Agent Miller navigates through the twists and turns of his moonshine cases he’s following, he’s also wrestling with maintaining his integrity as the good man so many know him to be. Well worth the read.

[liana · Rating 2 out of 5]

1947 pre Katz v. US law enforcement was WILDING

[AWBookGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story based on actual events. Some repetitiveness in the writing, but anyone with relatives who lived in this part of the South, at this time, will recognize the truth of the novel.

[Nicole McElwaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real eye-opener to the other side of Moonshine. I feel like the idea of moonshine has been glorified due to movies and distilleries mass-producing it…however, this book brings us back to the founding days of moonshine and how if affected EVERYONE involved with the process.
The author’s writing style is captivating! I listened to the audiobook, the narrator does such a great job! I felt immersed in the book as the author uses vivid descriptions to depict the story. Definitely recommend this book!

[John Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Skates presents an interesting fictional account of his grandfather's experience as a revenuer, who tears down moonshine distilleries in Georgia. He is to be commended for his service. The book is good and keeps you engaged. It needs polish in some areas, and the formatting on my Kindle was very poor; it distracted me from the story and was annoying. Some scenes added nothing to the book, and it got a little preachy. However, warts and all, it is still a fascinating insight into the impact that being a revenuer makes on an honest man and his family. Well worth the read.

[J.A. Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting, historical fiction, story.
I can’t say that I’ve ever heard about the moonshiners from this viewpoint.
It seems as if most stories want to make light of the moonshiners in American history, or all out glorify them, but this story tells a more realistic depiction.
It’s definitely a must read, or listen to, for adults, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

[Kristin Leavoy]

This is a novel based on true events right in my backyard. Jokes are often made of hillbilly moonshiners and the truth is that lives were lost and families destroyed because of the underground moonshine production that occurred all over the south. This story shines a light on the lengths one man would go to make a difference.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rings of truth…actually many truths

Although the formatting is askew throughout this book, the story is interesting and heartfelt. As the daughter of a law enforcement officer, there was a lot that reminded me of stories I heard from my father. I loved Cullen for being who he was and this book will stay with me for a while. Recommend!

[Bonnie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done

Well written, well done. Poignant, gripping, raw, thoughtful. The emotional perspective of the author and his Grandfathers experience
shines through whatever fiction there may be. 10 out 10 highly recommend.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Intriguing characters throughout this top shelf novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read. Five stars for Moonshine Over Georgia. Once started, hard to put down!

[Danielle Layfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version of this book and it was incredible!! It has details but doesn’t drag. I loved the characters in the book and it is based on a true story. I would read it again and again.

[Peggy Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough story but I don’t recommend the audio. That southern accent hurt these southern ears. Story takes place in west Georgia in the 1940s and details an actual moonshine operation. Historical fiction.

[DEANNA GARNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am from Georgia so this was a must for me. Knowing the cities mentioned made it so real for me. An easy read that I could not put down

[Karla Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story seems incomplete.

[Vikki Stringham · Rating 5 out of 5]

For folks who loved Murder in Coweta County… this is a must read. Same event, different perspective.

[Chuckdee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written…I encourage you to listen to Andy Stumpf’s “Cleared Hot” podcast (9/30/24) to get the author’s life story, and learn more about his inspiration for the book.

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Abigail Bullard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good! One of the big disappointments for me was that it built up the whole book like it was going to be a huge exciting ending but it wasn’t. However, the story was fairly good though!

[Erica Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story and I'm glad that it is based on true events, I don't really feel like the story had an actual ending and just made it necessary to have a sequel.

[Jasmine Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonshine Over Georgia

A very thrilling and adrenaline rush hooked book to read. I enjoyed it alot. I would recommend the book to anyone.

[Denise Salerno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, powerful

[Katie Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great audiobook listen! I enjoyed the narrator a lot. It was a good story with a slightly anticlimactic ending

[Seth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.

[Charleen Stroup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

I couldn't put it down. Incredible description of characters, human nature and beautiful Bible values woven into Narative. Fast moving with a lot of action.

[Nicole Barkman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love stories and movies about bootlegging. I find it incredibly interesting but this one was so hard to follow. I think if I didnt do audio it would have been better. I did read some on my kindle though. I am going to back and physically read it to see if its easier to follow. The writing was good I was just so confused.