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River Sunday #1
Slave Graves
An expensive real estate development is halted when contractors find an ancient relic. The State of Maryland insists archeologists must determine the historical value of the site before construction proceeds. Frank Light, a famous archeologist, is sent by his university to study the site, a mudflat on an old farm. The relic appears to be part of an old ship but a local black pastor insists the site covers a graveyard for slaves. As he works, Light changes from a stuffy well contented professor into a man searching for his honor. He and a fellow historian, a female former student, fight for the right to uncover and preserve a terrible mystery she considers “amazing.” When financial and racial interests terrorize them, they realize once the age old lesson in life, truth comes with a very high price in murder. Slave Graves is the first book of the acclaimed River Sunday Romance Mystery series by Thomas Hollyday. The author’s unique Chesapeake voice once again gives us an exciting read about the people, their beliefs and legends, the animals and the grasping mud and black water wetlands of this mysterious American region. His other critically acclaimed novels include Magnolia Gods, Powerboat Racer, Gold, Terror Flower, China Jewel, and Easter Sunday. Each book, introducing new memorable characters, retains the simple and beautiful lifestyle, history and beauty of the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Powerful subjects such as freedom, atomic war, racism, religion, terror, sailing, and family love, are approached. Stories are insightful and well researched with technical expertise, humor, and fast moving action. River Sunday Romance Mysteries are suitable for teen and older readers. They have no strong language and romantic descriptions are clean and suitable for family reading, discussion and enjoyment. Thomas Hollyday has spent years working for animals rights. Part of the proceeds of his books goes to financing the research and maintenance of fresh drinking water resources for wildlife.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2000
988 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Hollyday
25 books38 followersThomas Hollyday (1942-present) was born in Easton, Maryland. His father was an acclaimed photographer and his mother a brilliant teacher.His father's family were active in the history of Maryland since its settlement while his mother's family were prominent in Democratic Party politics. His grandmother's family descended from a well known German industrial family of Baltimore. He grew up in the southern atmosphere of the Eastern Shore with its maritime and military heritage. He studied writing with Elliott Coleman at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars and with C.Michael Curtis of the Atlantic Monthly. He served with distinction in Vietnam and became a successful international businessman.He also drew illustrations for national magazines and published maritime and Civil War history. He currently edits popular video blogs on you tube for animal water rights and for book reviews. He draws the popular humorous Animal Viewpoint Cartoons for newspapers. He continues to please his fans with new novels in his River Sunday Romance Mysteries collection. In his fiction he describes his recurring theme that human settlers since prehistoric times in the Chesapeake region have left a mist of legend and history that permeates its modern stories with a certain compelling truth. At the same time he incorporates the stories of machines with those of their human owners. Each novel, located in the small town of River Sunday, Maryland, also records the continuing beautiful nature of the area. His writing portrays today's problems, conflicts, and memorable local characters with their loves and their combat with evil.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 9, 2014
This book "had" so much potential - subject matters that I am very interested in: archaeology and the (disgusting) slave trade. The author became a bit preachy concerning the environment but only the butterfly environment. No outrage about the barrels of oil and diesel that was dumped into the river and the effects that can have on the environment and the creatures that live in it - I don't get that.
It was a very light romance - really doesn't even classify as romance in my opinion. Yes there was the right bad guy that owned the law and the land - enough said.
The archaeology parts were bang on and I found those parts very interesting and informative. The slave trade parts were equally interesting and informative. Trying to mix a bit of voodoo/hoodoo in the storyline was okay but really wasn't needed.
Barely 2 stars and a thumb halfway across for the potential it had but didn't utilized. So glad I didn't have to pay for this book - it was free on Amazon - one day only. Will I read any more by this author - not likely.
Now on to a book in a series by an author I can depend on :)
It was a very light romance - really doesn't even classify as romance in my opinion. Yes there was the right bad guy that owned the law and the land - enough said.
The archaeology parts were bang on and I found those parts very interesting and informative. The slave trade parts were equally interesting and informative. Trying to mix a bit of voodoo/hoodoo in the storyline was okay but really wasn't needed.
Barely 2 stars and a thumb halfway across for the potential it had but didn't utilized. So glad I didn't have to pay for this book - it was free on Amazon - one day only. Will I read any more by this author - not likely.
Now on to a book in a series by an author I can depend on :)
February 22, 2018
This one started out on a high note and, in my opinion, crashed and burned quickly. The idea for the plot is a great one; however, Thomas Hollyday didn't develop it nearly enough and threw in too much that didn't have much to do with the story. First, I deducted points for the poor editing. Next, I deducted for the contradictory descriptions of people and places. Finally, I deducted points for what I saw as characters not conducting the dig properly. Even when writing fiction, the real life facts must be true to life. If those don't line up for things I know about, I tend to doubt the accuracy of the other historical or procedural facts presented.
August 25, 2021
I've had this book on my Kindle for a long time and finally got to it. There are things about it that I liked, but some I didn't. Descriptions of the Chesapeake Bay area were detailed and interesting. He brought the area to life. The main characters were well-drawn and real. The subject matter sometimes dragged a bit. A lot of very detailed descriptions of how to set up an archaeological dig, for instance. A lot of "Let me tell you a story" moments were used to fill in the background for the main characters. I guess that was better than just dry narration, but it was a little in excess for me. Jake, the bad guy, was so nasty at times that I just wanted to slap him one. The main reason for the three stars would be that the storyline was quite depressing. Stories about Frank's time in Vietnam, about the treatment of slaves in slave ships in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. I appreciate the history but it is still depressing. I have started book #3 called "Gold" and I wonder how it will turn out.
October 24, 2018
Slave Graves: A River Sunday Murder Mystery is by Thomas Hollyday. This is an interesting book and definitely not what I thought it would be about. It takes place in a small town in Maryland with access to the sea. The town is controlled by Jake Terment. His family was wealthy and had owned the land in the area for hundreds of years. He was considered to be a great man who did great things for the town and community. At least, his Father did; but Jake was really only interested in the bottom line- money. He had decided to open Allingham Island to development. This was the only land owned by the Terment’s that held a different name. It was named after a mistress that Richard, Jake’s Father, had set up in a house on the island. After Richard’s death, Jake took back the land by taking over and calling in the mortgage on the house. Until that time, Jake and Jackson Allingham had been childhood friends. Now they were adversaries.
When one of the workmen uncovered the first signs of an old ship, he promptly called it in as he was supposed to and the state sent an archaeologist down to survey the site to see if it was something that was historically important. Jake called in his own archaeologist, Dr. Frank Little, to write a report saying it was not important. He thought he could control Frank as he was a university professor and was dependent on the donations of others to keep his department running. Frank really didn’t want to go to Maryland. He had too much work to do on editing his book and getting it to the editor before it was even later and he really didn’t want to travel. However, encouraged by his girlfriend, he took the job. He joined up with a former student of his, Maggie Davis, who had been sent from the state. They had only two days to complete their evaluation of the site before Jake took it back over to begin construction of his bridge so they could start on the housing area.
However, there is more to this than meets the eye. Pastor Jackson Allingham was also on the dig and he was looking specifically for slave graves. Birdey Pond was an eccentric lady who was determined to stop the addition because of the monarch butterflies. Soldado, a strange man who lives on his boat and comes around only when he wants to, tells of his life with his Mother who was said to be descended from Mayans. As the book progresses, so does the suspense and the action. At times it got bogged down in detail; but for the most part was quite interesting.
When one of the workmen uncovered the first signs of an old ship, he promptly called it in as he was supposed to and the state sent an archaeologist down to survey the site to see if it was something that was historically important. Jake called in his own archaeologist, Dr. Frank Little, to write a report saying it was not important. He thought he could control Frank as he was a university professor and was dependent on the donations of others to keep his department running. Frank really didn’t want to go to Maryland. He had too much work to do on editing his book and getting it to the editor before it was even later and he really didn’t want to travel. However, encouraged by his girlfriend, he took the job. He joined up with a former student of his, Maggie Davis, who had been sent from the state. They had only two days to complete their evaluation of the site before Jake took it back over to begin construction of his bridge so they could start on the housing area.
However, there is more to this than meets the eye. Pastor Jackson Allingham was also on the dig and he was looking specifically for slave graves. Birdey Pond was an eccentric lady who was determined to stop the addition because of the monarch butterflies. Soldado, a strange man who lives on his boat and comes around only when he wants to, tells of his life with his Mother who was said to be descended from Mayans. As the book progresses, so does the suspense and the action. At times it got bogged down in detail; but for the most part was quite interesting.
June 5, 2017
Interesting novel highlighting the value of archeological findings in today's modern world. The archeological sections were accurate and detailed; the story about the fight to keep the dig site from being demolished was exciting, if perhaps overdramatized. For me, the true strength of this book was in the stories told by the characters as they worked together. These stories, about the African slave trade, childhood memories, the main character's time as a soldier in Vietnam, held my attention and left me thinking. Great book!
January 17, 2019
Wonderfully told tale with a great twist at the end!
I thought this a wonderfully descriptive book. The characters were all bought to life by this author in such skilfully described settings, I felt I was there in River Sunday! The subjects of conservation versus big business & the historical damage caused by the slave trade to people have been very sensitively dealt with. Historically accurate & vividly portrayed, the slave trading episode was described well, brief by necessity, but well thought out in bringing home the horrors of that period of history!
I thought this a wonderfully descriptive book. The characters were all bought to life by this author in such skilfully described settings, I felt I was there in River Sunday! The subjects of conservation versus big business & the historical damage caused by the slave trade to people have been very sensitively dealt with. Historically accurate & vividly portrayed, the slave trading episode was described well, brief by necessity, but well thought out in bringing home the horrors of that period of history!
June 6, 2018
Outstanding
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
A fascinating read, full of money, big business, history, conscious, and doing the right thing even though it may not work. The characters are strong and memorable. The dialogue is proper for the time & place. Thomas Hollyday has written a beautiful book full of misery, memory, and conscience.
The character of Jake has more than one face. There is the face for the investment groups. The face for the politicians. Another face for the locsls, rich then poor. There is the face of smugness & one of rage. He was definitely multifaceted in the book.
Frank began as one man, memory brought forth another, & truth brought forth the best. He struggles within himself for quite some time to emerge as a newer man.
Pastor Allingham is an excellent choice of character. He is doggedly determined. He wants truth to come out & is not afraid to speak his mind. He will work with strength & untiring positivity.
Maggie has been burned & chained to a desk for speaking out against construction over an important site, in the past. Does she do what is right for her boss? Does she do what she knows could get her fired?
Each of these characters have a part to play in Slave Graves. Each will see the truth, but one will deny it. Who will win? You should read this book to find out.
Highly recommended.
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
A fascinating read, full of money, big business, history, conscious, and doing the right thing even though it may not work. The characters are strong and memorable. The dialogue is proper for the time & place. Thomas Hollyday has written a beautiful book full of misery, memory, and conscience.
The character of Jake has more than one face. There is the face for the investment groups. The face for the politicians. Another face for the locsls, rich then poor. There is the face of smugness & one of rage. He was definitely multifaceted in the book.
Frank began as one man, memory brought forth another, & truth brought forth the best. He struggles within himself for quite some time to emerge as a newer man.
Pastor Allingham is an excellent choice of character. He is doggedly determined. He wants truth to come out & is not afraid to speak his mind. He will work with strength & untiring positivity.
Maggie has been burned & chained to a desk for speaking out against construction over an important site, in the past. Does she do what is right for her boss? Does she do what she knows could get her fired?
Each of these characters have a part to play in Slave Graves. Each will see the truth, but one will deny it. Who will win? You should read this book to find out.
Highly recommended.
May 4, 2020
Good thing this is an archaeologist thriller because it pulls the reader deeper into the muck surrounding a possible historical artifact in the midst of a huge expensive construction site. Dr Frank Light is sent by his university to give a "quick approval" to a site so that construction can continue. Maggie, a state archaeologist is also sent from the Maryland department to investigate and rule on its validity. Along the way they encounter Jake Terment, builder and owner of the property, where a bridge will be built. His company had accidently dug up a piece of old shipwreck and legally it must be proved of historic value. Maggie has arrived to meet her former professor, Frank. Pastor Jefferson Allington, black, local minister has volunteered to assist them in hopes of finding a slave graveyard the community has been told was in the area. Pressure from all sides. political, economic, hatred, social class bigotry, and unsolved puzzles lead the team into dangerous waters there in the swamp. Wanton destruction, fire, serious accidents, add depth to the tale as the reader becomes one of the curious , hushed breath watchers. Very deep and fast action thriller one will ooze into and stop only at the end of the book waiting for more tales to come. Enjoyed this immensely and will look forward to reading more from this author.
December 26, 2017
This book was very descriptive for my liking. But it was not as bad as it could be. I enjoyed Maggie's description of what life is like for a slave. The book covers a lot of history. It is clear that the author did his reasearch. My favorite part of the book is the dialogue. Dr. Light, Maggie, and the pastor are memorable characters. I root for them. I see these characters struggle and grow. As the novel progresses, the tension builds and builds until everything just suddenly explodes. As a result, the reader is left in suspense. Finally, this book captures the institution slavery brilliantly. I would recommend this book.
Note: The book has some grammar problems. I am left wondering who is talking sometimes. One paragraph has Dr. Light speaking. Then, it says the pastor continues on in the same paragraph. It does not make sense when Dr. Light was talking to begin with.
Note: The book has some grammar problems. I am left wondering who is talking sometimes. One paragraph has Dr. Light speaking. Then, it says the pastor continues on in the same paragraph. It does not make sense when Dr. Light was talking to begin with.
March 7, 2018
The head of a college archeology department (Frank), a state of Maryland archeologist (Maggie) a black preacher (the Pastor), and environmentalists (the butterfly people) join forces to fight Jake to delay the construction of a new bridge and the destruction of habitat while they study the remains of an old ship filled with many skeletons. Frank suffers flashbacks to his time in Vietnam and Maggie thinks Frank doesn't have the correct motivation for the project.
Frank was Maggie's teacher in field education. There is no sex but a budding romance is developing between the two archeologists. This is the first in a series but I don't know if the relationship continues in the second book.
Frank was Maggie's teacher in field education. There is no sex but a budding romance is developing between the two archeologists. This is the first in a series but I don't know if the relationship continues in the second book.
July 10, 2017
Interesting, but not edited very well.
I enjoyed the story, and the information about ships and the history of the area (approximately, since the town is fictional) seemed sound.
But the editing could have been better, at a few times in the story there were typos that made the context confusing. Not misspelled words, but rather it seems that autocorrect was on in whatever document words used to transcribe the story for Kindles.
Or a name was inserted into a sentence where it didn’t make sense.
I enjoyed the story, and the information about ships and the history of the area (approximately, since the town is fictional) seemed sound.
But the editing could have been better, at a few times in the story there were typos that made the context confusing. Not misspelled words, but rather it seems that autocorrect was on in whatever document words used to transcribe the story for Kindles.
Or a name was inserted into a sentence where it didn’t make sense.
July 31, 2018
Frank White, an Archaeologist is called to Maryland to look at what looks like an old ship that has to be checked out before a bridge can be built by Jake Terment. Already there is Maggie Davis a former student of his and Pastor Jeff who wants to find the slave graves that has been told existed in that area of River Sunday on the Eastern shore. They are only given a couple of days to okay the building of the bridge when artifacts are being discovered that Jake doesn't care about. A very exciting ending to this story along with Butterflies!
October 2, 2019
Not enough here to encourage me to read the rest of the series
Plus: I know next to nothing about archaeology and learned a bit about the subject reading this book. Minus: The dialogue and storyline are sometimes preachy and the characters are stereotypical: the bad guys are over-the-top bad (land developers and their cronies) and the good guy archaeologists and environmentalists bear their sometimes violent badness without a. calling in the authorities or b. walking away. Heroes, just not realistic.
Plus: I know next to nothing about archaeology and learned a bit about the subject reading this book. Minus: The dialogue and storyline are sometimes preachy and the characters are stereotypical: the bad guys are over-the-top bad (land developers and their cronies) and the good guy archaeologists and environmentalists bear their sometimes violent badness without a. calling in the authorities or b. walking away. Heroes, just not realistic.
August 16, 2017
History unearthed
Jake Terment has a massive real estate deal beginning when a possible shipwreck is unearthed. Archeologists are called in to determine whether the site is of historical significance when things start to blow up, literally.
A very interesting, fast paced read. Packed with bits of local and world history, a modern animal rights dispute and a centuries old family secret this book does not slow down disappoint..
Jake Terment has a massive real estate deal beginning when a possible shipwreck is unearthed. Archeologists are called in to determine whether the site is of historical significance when things start to blow up, literally.
A very interesting, fast paced read. Packed with bits of local and world history, a modern animal rights dispute and a centuries old family secret this book does not slow down disappoint..
September 5, 2018
The timeline was confusing until I looked up the original publication date. Then it all made sense for a Viet Nam vet digging at an archaeology site. Most of those veterans are my age or older and no longer doing hard labor.
The story finally got my attention. It was a good story line but suffered from the bad editing.
The series shows promise but I am not willing to make an investment to find out, and it is not available through my library. The poor editing is just not worth it.
The story finally got my attention. It was a good story line but suffered from the bad editing.
The series shows promise but I am not willing to make an investment to find out, and it is not available through my library. The poor editing is just not worth it.
June 17, 2017
I REALLY enjoyed this book. The characters were very believable, the story flowed, the backstories were certainly realistic. This was a fun read, I couldn't put it down, and I was sorry to see it end. Thomas Hollyday is my new favorite author!! I am now reading another of his books, and plan on getting the whole series.
July 28, 2017
Not that good
The story line was good, but there was way too much information that didn't not need to be in the story. The description of the area and the archeological find was interesting. The story itself was to rambling and It was boring in many parts. The characters were way to predictable and uninteresting.
The story line was good, but there was way too much information that didn't not need to be in the story. The description of the area and the archeological find was interesting. The story itself was to rambling and It was boring in many parts. The characters were way to predictable and uninteresting.
June 8, 2018
Free book
Good thing about this? -It was free. Gave up by page 45. Had been reading and re-reading every third page or so. Sorry but it was too detailed about bits of a boat being unearthed ! Boring beyond belief,I couldn't stand any more. I had way better ebook series on my kindle waiting for me to read. Can't recommend this one I'm afraid.
Good thing about this? -It was free. Gave up by page 45. Had been reading and re-reading every third page or so. Sorry but it was too detailed about bits of a boat being unearthed ! Boring beyond belief,I couldn't stand any more. I had way better ebook series on my kindle waiting for me to read. Can't recommend this one I'm afraid.
August 23, 2018
One of the best books I have ever read
This book illustrates the horrors of the slave trade and the current battle for equality against greed, corruption and racism. I would LOVE to see this as a movie and I don't think I've ever felt that way about a book before. This is a must read.
This book illustrates the horrors of the slave trade and the current battle for equality against greed, corruption and racism. I would LOVE to see this as a movie and I don't think I've ever felt that way about a book before. This is a must read.
July 27, 2019
An archeologist's nightmare
Commercial gig turns up some wood and bones and the professor consultant gets called in. Bought and paid for, ahh, the power of money. Find out who gets trampled along the way and if the bad guy gets what he deserves. Has some minor typos, but still a decent read.
Commercial gig turns up some wood and bones and the professor consultant gets called in. Bought and paid for, ahh, the power of money. Find out who gets trampled along the way and if the bad guy gets what he deserves. Has some minor typos, but still a decent read.
May 4, 2021
A excellent book
A book that educates and is a good read! From the 1st page to the last you'll never lose interest, it has all the things that you look for and a good book , Murder mystery The plight of the people against the greedy and dishonest, as well as great characters to help along the plot.
A book that educates and is a good read! From the 1st page to the last you'll never lose interest, it has all the things that you look for and a good book , Murder mystery The plight of the people against the greedy and dishonest, as well as great characters to help along the plot.
May 29, 2017
Slave graves
Though I gave this rating I did enjoy the book. I found the theme atypical, the characters predictable. I would recommend this book to inform the uninformed of the vagaries of slavery.
Though I gave this rating I did enjoy the book. I found the theme atypical, the characters predictable. I would recommend this book to inform the uninformed of the vagaries of slavery.
February 11, 2018
Absorbing
A very absorbing read. The tale of the African children on board the Adam & Eve ship was harrowing and desperately sad. I'm glad the bad guy got what was coming to him, and with his death came the final truths of how and why the ship sunk.
A very absorbing read. The tale of the African children on board the Adam & Eve ship was harrowing and desperately sad. I'm glad the bad guy got what was coming to him, and with his death came the final truths of how and why the ship sunk.
May 30, 2018
Entertaining, researched, but not particularly well edited or proofread, which drives me crazy when I am reading for pleasure. I want to drag out my red pen! The capital of Maryland is NOT Baltimore.
That said, Slave Graves has its moments, unbelievable though they may be.
That said, Slave Graves has its moments, unbelievable though they may be.
August 6, 2018
A new author to follow!
I loved this book..intelligent, adult entertaining. There was lots of information but lots of action too so it was not boring I'll be reading his books now for sure.
I loved this book..intelligent, adult entertaining. There was lots of information but lots of action too so it was not boring I'll be reading his books now for sure.
April 29, 2019
I was disappointed. The dialog was boring. The characters lacked depth and weren't believable. Frank's obsession with Vietnam was weird and didn't go with the story at all. The history was the only good thing about the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2019
This book needs great press!
I was really pleased to read about a Vietnam Vet who stood his ground, along with 2 others dedicated to preserving a site of slavery history. Jake Terment may as well have been Donald Trump. It was a great read.
I was really pleased to read about a Vietnam Vet who stood his ground, along with 2 others dedicated to preserving a site of slavery history. Jake Terment may as well have been Donald Trump. It was a great read.
June 4, 2017
Interesting read
I didn't expect this book to be about a Vietnam veteran but it was well written and a great read.
I didn't expect this book to be about a Vietnam veteran but it was well written and a great read.
June 9, 2017
Great read!
Really enjoyed the process of working on a historic site. The greed d and hatred were defeated. The many different people were great!
Really enjoyed the process of working on a historic site. The greed d and hatred were defeated. The many different people were great!
July 4, 2017
Enjoyed this book thoroughly. I love history novels anyway and this didn't fail. Kept you guessing just enough and then put a curve in at the end. Have already recommended this as a really good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews