The Rolling Thunder

by Embassie Susberry

Taking a break from her life as a lawyer in Chicago, Theodosia “Theo” Brantley decides to spend the summer of 1955 in Carlin, Louisiana visiting her southern relatives—and to see if she can possibly make a go of a new career as a photographer. But when her grandmother asks her to look into a mystery surrounding a girl who drowned in the Mississippi River nearly sixty years ago and then a dead body found in the same river is literally brought to her grandmother’s doorstep, Theo quickly realizes that her summer is not going to go at all like she planned. With the help of some unlikely characters, old and young alike, Theo Brantley begins to realize that the more the town of Carlin comes into focus, the more it’s clear that things are not all as they appear to be.

467 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2020

About the author

I still remember the exact day I fell in love with reading. It was nighttime and raining. Mom and Dad had already sent me and my sister to bed. But I couldn't sleep. We didn't have cable (and I'm pretty sure the parents wouldn't allow it) and cartoons were over for the day. I remember turning on the light, looking across the room at my snoring sister and then at my bookcase filled with books. I wasn't a reader at the time, but my mother was. She was constantly buying me something. I walked over to the bookshelf and pulled my newest book off the shelf and just began to read. For the first time, I learned what it was to leave my room and go someplace else; to care about imaginary people so much, I had to turn the next page; to get so caught up in a story, hours flew by. And it is that exact feeling that I want so much to create in my readers. Enjoyment, entertainment, and feeling blessed.

Reviews

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embassie Susberry is one of my favorite authors. Her books are amazing and this one is no exception. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I loved everything about this book: the stunning cover, the historical details, the mistery, the swoony romance and the characters. I especially liked Theo's faith and how she prayed in every circumstance. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was a really good story . I love your stories and the time frame they come in and how they are not only a love story but a mystery as well always leave me thrilled and I can’t wait for the next book

[Denise M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy, Read and Smile

This is such a good book. Ms. Susberry, you are most definitely one of my best authors now! I thank God for you. Keep writing and talking about Him!

[Michele Hallahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mismatched gang was everything!

I loved this book from the first few pages. The kids, the wild man, and the almost cat lady photographer; they will all steal your heart. This unlikely group are surrounded by action, adventure and a whole lot more. Who would have thought that a summer break and a request from grandma would change the lives of so many people in this small town. This book made me laugh out loud, smile shyly, and smh in disbelief. If I could have read another ten chapters involving these folks, the witch included, I would have been more than happy to do so. I can't wait to see them again in whichever friend is up next. Ten stars for this unlikely crew.

[Jim Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I have been following this author from her first books. I prefer to read historical novels. The first four books I read I’m keeping in my library and I may even read them again. They were during an earlier time around the Civil War. I was born in 1942 and as I’m getting older I have a hard time coming to grips that my life was mid century. Lol I haven’t considered that time historic, but I suppose it is to young people these days.

I find her books sometimes slow to get into as she lays groundwork for the story, but in the end I cannot put them down.

I would recommend these books to anyone. And now especially another white woman. You see I was raised with good friends that were “colored.” And this was during a time that was quite filled with racial unrest. However, I was raised in a fairly small town outside of Boston, and I feel very blessed I was not brought up in the south. My dad was of French dissent and first generation American. So I was familiar with his strugglies with English being his second language and though he was not impoverished, on the poverty line. His family’s life experience was very rich with love and food and he had many friend of different nationalities. My dad considered this one of the very best parts of his childhood and he passed this on to me.

During that time in my life I looked forward to going to dinner and eating Italian food with my friends or watching my Irish friends families roll the carpet back and dance on Friday nights to bagpipes, or with my “colored” friends eating beans, collard greens, and cornbread. I lived embracing different cultures that contribute to making our country a wonderful place to live.

I also think that it is important to look at the mistakes we made as a people in regard to other races and realize we need to change for the better. That’s why I think it’s so important we don’t erase our history, ever. The good and the bad. That’s how we learn. I’m looking forward to reading the next book! I’m hoping it’s done!!!!

[Ntebogeng Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is becoming one of my favorites. Its been hard for me to find black authors who write faith based fiction. I am so happy I have found Embassie Susberry. I learn so much about historical realities of African Americans with each book I read. The books don't shy away from the hard facts of history, but yet highlight the beauty of relationships that have always been there to pull black people together in the hardest of circumstances.

And that opening scene with Ace is definitely one of my favorite! She balances so many elements in the same book, yet manages to also capture (so well) the humor and banter that makes reading her books feel like you are right there laughing and crying with the characters.

[coretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Reading Your Books..

This Writer is such a Great Story Teller!
I get so excited when I get an email of a New Book coming out..
While reading the Author's Books I get SOOOOOO lost and engrossed in the Character's Journey- that I find myself reading way past my scheduled reading time!
Embassie Susberry, please don't stop writing historical books based on people of Color.... Again I Say Thanks..
Sincerely, Coretta

[Natasha C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story and I'm amazed at how much I ended up falling in love with Ace. That crazy man, who can't drive and his two kids stole my heart. He and Theo together were so endearing, comical and entertaining that I wanted more. I so look forward to the Lost Boys series and hope to get updates on Ace and Theo. Another great read!

[Tosin King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning of series

I am so happy this book is the beginning of a series. As usual Embassie Susberry has outdone herself, this book was so hilarious and dramatic at the same time. I loved it, highly recommended!

[Brenda D. Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read!

I stumbled onto this book after I read the series "The Lost Boys" . I rather like that I did this last, it cleared up some questions I had.
I love the way this author weaves her tales.
I always enjoy her books.

[R. Michael Munden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

The characters are to fall in love with. Mystery, excitement, love and the special bond of family and friendship made this book a page turner for me.

[Lisa Enette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense.

I loved the suspense of the book. I loved the two characters Theo and Ace made me laugh and smile through their interaction with each other.