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The Sixth William
In an Alaskan bar, Creighton Roane watches a TV news story about multiple, gruesome murders that have occurred in a mountainous region of Tennessee. He is stunned when he recognizes the murder scene as the Findhorn River and the rugged Arn plateau, his childhood home. Memories stirred by the newscast develop into recurring nightmares as Creighton becomes aware of his own needs to see the mountains of his childhood and of reconciliation with his father. But the Findhorn valley hides whiskey-making murderous clans and revenge killings that span generations. An ancient stone fort sitting on the Arn plateau houses its own mystery of the massacre of the moon-eyed people and of the mentally unstable killer who gives his victims an amulet for their trip to the hereafter. Wrapped around all this is the gut-churning rapids of the Findhorn and the effect it has on those challenging its treacherous waters.
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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3 people want to read
About the author
John Neely Davis
11 books2 followersJohn Neely Davis is a product of the sandy hills of West Tennessee, an area east of the Mississippi Delta and west of the Tennessee River. Most of his working career was spent in land acquisition from the Appalachian mountains to the river valleys of New Mexico.
Previously published novels include Stephen Dennison, The Sixth William, and Bear Shadow. The last won the Janice Keck Literary Award. He also contributed to numerous anthologies: Filtered through Time, By Blood or by Marriage, Comanchero Trail, Western Trail Blazer Series, and the recent release Showdown.
John lives with his wife Jayne, in historic Franklin, Tn.
Previously published novels include Stephen Dennison, The Sixth William, and Bear Shadow. The last won the Janice Keck Literary Award. He also contributed to numerous anthologies: Filtered through Time, By Blood or by Marriage, Comanchero Trail, Western Trail Blazer Series, and the recent release Showdown.
John lives with his wife Jayne, in historic Franklin, Tn.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 13, 2018
Mystery set in the Appalachian mountains where a deranged killer places amulets on his victims. Creight leaves Alaska and travels back to his hometown to face the past he left behind thirty years ago.
November 23, 2012
About the Author
A veteran of the whitewaters of West Virginia's Gauley, Russell Fork, and New River, John Neely Davis knows the thrill of the rapids. He is equally familiar with the manufacture of southern "moonshine" and the lifestyle of the rural south. He lives with his wife Jayne in historic Franklin, Tennessee.
Amazon Book Description: “In an Alaskan bar, Creighton Roane watches a TV news story about multiple, gruesome murders that have occurred in a mountainous region of Tennessee. He is stunned when he recognizes the murder scene as the Findhorn River and the rugged Arn plateau, his childhood home. Memories stirred by the newscast develop into recurring nightmares as Creighton becomes aware of his own needs to see the mountains of his childhood and of reconciliation with his father.
But the Findhorn valley hides whiskey-making murderous clans and revenge killings that span generations. An ancient stone fort sitting on the Arn plateau houses its own mystery of the massacre of the moon-eyed people and of the mentally unstable killer who gives his victims an amulet for their trip to the hereafter. Wrapped around all this is the gut-churning rapids of the Findhorn and the effect it has on those challenging its treacherous waters.”
My notes: I read this for one of my book clubs. I found the story unique, intriguing and interesting. The story-telling is exceptional. The author clearly understands human relationships. The characters were well developed. When the father and son are reunited I loved that the author did not instantly make their relationship “perfect.” As in real life, Davis had them continuing to have their issues while at the same time trying to work through them. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this and I’ll keep an eye out for this writer.
A veteran of the whitewaters of West Virginia's Gauley, Russell Fork, and New River, John Neely Davis knows the thrill of the rapids. He is equally familiar with the manufacture of southern "moonshine" and the lifestyle of the rural south. He lives with his wife Jayne in historic Franklin, Tennessee.
Amazon Book Description: “In an Alaskan bar, Creighton Roane watches a TV news story about multiple, gruesome murders that have occurred in a mountainous region of Tennessee. He is stunned when he recognizes the murder scene as the Findhorn River and the rugged Arn plateau, his childhood home. Memories stirred by the newscast develop into recurring nightmares as Creighton becomes aware of his own needs to see the mountains of his childhood and of reconciliation with his father.
But the Findhorn valley hides whiskey-making murderous clans and revenge killings that span generations. An ancient stone fort sitting on the Arn plateau houses its own mystery of the massacre of the moon-eyed people and of the mentally unstable killer who gives his victims an amulet for their trip to the hereafter. Wrapped around all this is the gut-churning rapids of the Findhorn and the effect it has on those challenging its treacherous waters.”
My notes: I read this for one of my book clubs. I found the story unique, intriguing and interesting. The story-telling is exceptional. The author clearly understands human relationships. The characters were well developed. When the father and son are reunited I loved that the author did not instantly make their relationship “perfect.” As in real life, Davis had them continuing to have their issues while at the same time trying to work through them. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this and I’ll keep an eye out for this writer.
June 25, 2012
The Sixth William
By John Neely Davis
This is an updated and extended version of the story of the prodigal son. Mr. Davis has wrapped it in a mystery and demonstrates that just because the father accepts the son’s return does not mean that all the scars have healed, for either the father or the son.
The story is narrated in first person by the protagonist, William Creighton (Creight) Roane. Mr. Davis’ writing skills are so powerful that while reading the novel I almost felt that I was sitting in the shade of a porch on a warm sunny afternoon in East Tennessee listening to Creight himself tell the story.
When he writes a sentence like, “The smell of coffee brewing and the nose-wrinkling odor of frying ham caused me to hobble downstairs on sore legs” he stimulated my appetite for breakfast. And then there is the country-style wisdom of something like this one, “Daddy drove like most old men, part of the time in the middle of the road and part of the time with the bushes along the side of the road slapping at Old Pony.”
Aside from great writing skills, Mr. Davis is an outstanding storyteller. “The Sixth William” is a story of family secrets, generational feuds, opportunities lost and opportunities regained, a penetrating look at why men withhold their feelings. This is a novel that will make you laugh and cry, and you will learn that cats like watching basketball.
By John Neely Davis
This is an updated and extended version of the story of the prodigal son. Mr. Davis has wrapped it in a mystery and demonstrates that just because the father accepts the son’s return does not mean that all the scars have healed, for either the father or the son.
The story is narrated in first person by the protagonist, William Creighton (Creight) Roane. Mr. Davis’ writing skills are so powerful that while reading the novel I almost felt that I was sitting in the shade of a porch on a warm sunny afternoon in East Tennessee listening to Creight himself tell the story.
When he writes a sentence like, “The smell of coffee brewing and the nose-wrinkling odor of frying ham caused me to hobble downstairs on sore legs” he stimulated my appetite for breakfast. And then there is the country-style wisdom of something like this one, “Daddy drove like most old men, part of the time in the middle of the road and part of the time with the bushes along the side of the road slapping at Old Pony.”
Aside from great writing skills, Mr. Davis is an outstanding storyteller. “The Sixth William” is a story of family secrets, generational feuds, opportunities lost and opportunities regained, a penetrating look at why men withhold their feelings. This is a novel that will make you laugh and cry, and you will learn that cats like watching basketball.
July 15, 2012
This is a book about coming home, which isn't always easy or pain free. Lots of Tennessee flair here. And quite the tear jerker. A beautiful story that makes me want to see it made into a movie for the big screen. I highly recommend this novel.
June 9, 2012
If you read anything this summer you must read this. I fell in love with the characters!
August 12, 2012
Local author!! Mark and I both very much enjoyed the book.
May 26, 2016
Read this book for our monthly book club and everyone enjoyed it! Had the author come to our meeting and answer questions! Loved him, his wife and the book!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews