The Gold of Cape Girardeau

by Morley Swingle

A treasure trove of gold is found buried next to a skeleton with a bullet hole in its skull. Young lawyer Allison Culbertson faces the toughest courtroom battle of her career to prove the gold belongs to her client. The secrets of the gold are revealed in an unforgettable story that transports the reader from a modern courtroom to the glory days of steamboating on the Mississippi, from young love on the river to the perils of living in a town of split loyalties during the Civil War.

Swingle's riveting tale brings the Mississippi River Valley's past to life—combining mystery, love, greed, and courtroom drama into a suspenseful blend of history and fiction.

Genres: Fiction

438 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Morley Swingle is a former prosecutor now writing mystery/thrillers and law books. As both a state and federal prosecutor, he personally prosecuted 111 homicide cases and tried 178 jury trials. His cases have been featured on Dateline, Forensic Files and Oprah. His historical mystery thrillers include The Gold of Cape Girardeau (praised as absorbing courtroom drama by Elmore Leonard) and Bootheel Man (finalist for the 2008 William Rockhill Nelson Award for fiction). His true crime memoir Scoundrels to the Hoosegow was called “engrossing” and “highly recommended” by Vincent Bugliosi. His short story “Hard Blows” in the Mystery Writers of America anthology The Prosecution Rests was singled out by Publisher’s Weekly as “dramatizing the challenges prosecutors encounter.” His collection of 16 short stories won the 2024 Firebird Award for Crime Fiction. His law books teach search and seizure law and evidence with a dose of humor. Although relatively well-liked for a prosecutor, he occasionally found it necessary to wear a bullet-proof vest.

Reviews

[Darina’s Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am still debating if I want to round it up to 4 stars. It was uneven. And I can’t say that I liked all of it.

This was my choice as an indie author book for our Travelling Sisterhood club. I wanted to read a historical fiction that evokes deep emotional response. I got some of it and more.
I will take my time to write a full review, post it at @DarinasReads BookTok, Bookstagram and will add an update here.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining historical tale framed by a modern courtroom drama!

The beginning captured my attention and held it. There’s humor, intelligence, and real depth. The author made me invest in a character in very little time, and then seamlessly switched gears to deliver an incredible backstory.

The time jump back to pre–Civil War Missouri was such a fun surprise. I became deeply invested in the plot and the characters of that era. Learning the backstory behind the present-day court case was an exhilarating ride that followed the main character’s journey into adulthood.

The look at life and work on a steamboat was fascinating. I’d never read anything quite like it, and it even led me to take a few breaks just to read more about the luxury—and danger—of traveling on these boats.

As the story moved into the Civil War, I became even more engrossed. I appreciated how the book balanced life on the battlefield with life back home. The female lead in this section truly shined, and I loved her strength, struggles, and the precarious position she was in.

The ending was more than satisfying, and I’m so glad I discovered this author!

[Penny Vogts · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good historical read

Although this book is long , it has interesting descriptions of life on a riverboat, life during the civil war, and life in general during that time period. It is also a poignant love story, and a trial strategy lesson. A very interesting book.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling historical fiction, with adventure, crime, romance and Civil War history sandwiched between lively courtroom drama. So glad I found this author.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swingle, a prosecuting attorney, has combined history, mystery and a courtroom battle to provide an entertaining and instructive read.

The tale begins in the courtroom as lawyers battle over the question of who is legally entitled to a fortune in gold found buried with a skeleton that has a bullet hole in its skull.

He then takes the reader back in time to unravel the mystery behind the trove. The story includes steamboating on the Mississippi, romance, treachery and the perils of the Civil War as it divides residents of the river community.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Bootheel Man first. So when I read Gold of Cape Girardeau, I was able to hit the deck running with the characters because I already knew them. Could be that because I know Morley, I was more focused on reading. But I really did enjoy the book - makes me want to read the books he used in his research for the book.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a mixture of modern day with a backstory that is a historical mystery with a romance. It had great character development. There’s quite a bit of interesting history about steamboating and the civil war in Missouri, but not in a boring way at all. I actually found the book hard to put down.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a mixture of modern day with a backstory that is a historical mystery with a romance. It had great character development. There’s quite a bit of interesting history about steamboating and the civil war in Missouri, but not in a boring way at all. I actually found the book hard to put down.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting courtroom type drama. Local Missouri author.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I bought this book was because I was a police officer in Cape Girardeau at the time Morley wrote it. Morley was our prosecuting attorney.

[Julie Kolb]

It is why I am writing.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13877100