Splintered Reeds

by Jodie Cain Smith

When no one is left to save you, save yourself or die trying.The one constant in Jules' life is family. Catastrophe brought the Martins together under one roof to endure food scarcity, punishing Gulf Coast heat, no electricity, and no indoor plumbing.

One outhouse for twelve people is no way to live, but at least they are safe... For now.

With every setback and stolen dignity, Jules questions whether she wants to survive at all. She keeps the family fed, hunting and fishing along the shores of Mobile Bay while avoiding both Army patrols and a vicious, radical militia group known as The Knights.

When two members of The Knights set their sights on Jules, violence lands on her doorstep, threatening everyone connected to the family.

The one bright spot Jules finds is in a chance meeting with an 11-year-old looter who gives her a new sense of purpose and a reason to survive. She sees herself in the rebel-boy—independent, foolishly fearless, and capable of making costly mistakes.

Will she be able to protect the boy from rising violence? Or will they both become victims?

Deliciously Southern and with a break-neck pace, Splintered Reeds is an adventure thriller that explores the fallout of a national catastrophe, the strength of family, and the fight for survival in a world turned upside down.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Jodie Cain Smith is the author of two Southern Gothic novels, The Woods at Barlow Bend (1st edition Deer Hawk Publications, Nov 2014; 2nd edition Kat Biggie Press, July 2021) and Bayou Cresting: The Wanting Women of Huet Pointe. More than any other character, Jodie enjoys creating ambitious women who often fly across the line to dangerous women.

When she is not creating southern fiction, Jodie can be found in the worlds of superheroes, Lego, and Mario Kart with her little boy and husband. Her Mario Kart driving needs work.

Jodie Cain Smith's short stories, feature articles, and columns have appeared in The Petigru Review, Chicken Soup for the Military Spouse's Soul, The Savannah Morning News, and the Fort Hood Sentinel.

To learn more about Jodie Cain Smith and her random thoughts on writing, books, and life, visit her website www.jodiecainsmith.com.

Reviews

[Diana Oskar · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book. The thriller action elements kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The southern setting and nature are so well described I could see and feel myself there. My favorite are the characters and relationships. A large extended family with all of their unique personalities living together for mutual support and survival makes for a wide range of interesting interactions from loving and supportive to conflict and sniping. It’s an all around good book from plot to pacing to character development. I’ll be on the lookout for Book 2 in this series.

[William E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dissapointing. The author's liberalism, bias and stereotyping are shining through so much my eyes are occasionally rolling. As someone who grew up in an area similar to the book's setting, I was hoping for a better view of the people here but that wasn't the case. The plot had potential, but the writing ruined it for me. If you lean way left, you'll likely enjoy it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled across Splintered Reeds on Kindle Unlimited by accident and was intrigued by the premise. The storyline itself was interesting—it even reminded me a little of Lady Whistledown from Bridgerton, except instead of letters, the characters were tuning in to the radio for their news and gossip.

The idea of the southern states pulling away from the government and the confusion over who was truly in charge made for an engaging plot. Honestly, it was a little unsettling because it felt like something that could happen in real life. That sense of possibility added tension to the story.

That said, I did feel like it lacked some of the background details and depth needed to tie everything together. There were gaps that left me wanting more context to fully understand the characters’ motivations and the bigger picture.

Overall, it was an easy read with an intriguing premise, but it just didn’t quite come together as strongly as I hoped.

[Lori L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I did win a copy of this book in a giveaway. For that, I am grateful. The title, the cover, and the synopsis all screamed my kind of book, and I couldn't wait to get started.

This book had so much potential. And for about the first 20 pages, I was completely into it. But in one swift turn of the page, I realized this wasn't going to be just a scary, swampy, apocalyptic thriller.

Just like that, I realized I sit on the wrong side of the aisle for this type of stereotypical, ummmm, what is the word...leaning. I'll just leave it at that.

Unfortunately, this book goes in the DNF column, which, for me, is very rare. That being said, if you hang out on the far left side of the room and you love thrillers, it seems like you will enjoy this book. I sure wanted to.

PS... On the plus side, this is one of my favorite covers ever.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mobile county is hit with domestic terrorism, everyone's lives change. We experience their new way of life through Jules, a recently widowed woman who needs to move back to her parents house to survive. Along with fearing for her life and the lives of her family, Jules has so many odds against her--political tension, environmental challenges, a militant group, military eminent domain, wondering where her next meal would come from, using an outhouse, blackouts, getting shunned by the community, being attacked and kidnapped, and more. It was hard to put this thriller down because I wanted to discover if Jules could survive all these hardships. This book gave me the chills because I could envision myself experiencing these hardships. After reading this book, I will forever be grateful for the life I have.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I’m exhausted! But an extremely well written book with an intriguing and immersing story will do that to you. The post terror attack world that the author creates is hard to imagine and makes you realize how blessed in our everyday lives we actually are. This book is full of strife, love, humor and action. It will take you through the entire range of emotions! What else do you need?!?! A book 2, that’s what! Good thing one’s coming!

[Jordan Higginbotham · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad recommended this book to me because it was reminiscent of his favorite book, Alas, Babylon. He was 100% correct. This apocalyptic novel is a little anxiety inducing and heart wrenching. I could also see it being a pretty good film? I’m hoping there is a second book in the series so I can see how it all ends!

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is rather unique and has one thinking are we that far off from this happening in our day and age. It's a family struggling to stay safe when you can't even trust your neighbors. It's survival Luke living off the grid. It's lawlessness and law.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's this world coming to?

The place and people may be different, but the crazy state of our country is the same. The common folk just want stability but there's always some group that wants chaos.

[Chris Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neither liberal nor conservative

Whoever said that this book had a lefty skew has trouble with reading comprehension. Anyways, it was a really good book

[Heaven Borseth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so difficult to get into it and stay into it. I finished due to it being a book club book, otherwise I may have DNFd it.

[Michelle Mason · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF for me. Halfway through for me and I can’t take it anymore. Just not going anywhere for me.

[Charles Shinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t care to read a book with this language.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Kelly Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well now I picked up this here book called Splintered Reeds by Jodie Cain Smith and let me tell ya I aint never read nothin like it I am jus catching up on book reviews I write down all my reviews and post them up just forgot about it back then It grabbed me right up from the first page and did not let go I mean it felt like I was sweatin right there with em in that hot Gulf air no power no water just one outhouse for twelve folks now thats rough livin if I ever heard it

Jules is the main girl and she aint no soft thing she hunts she fishes she fights to keep her people alive even when the world gone plum crazy and them Knights come creepin round like they own it all she dont give up even when it seems like she bout to break she just keeps goin like she aint got no quit in her

Then that boy shows up that little looter and he changes her I reckon he gives her a reason to keep tryin and that part got to me cause sometimes folks need somethin to hold on to when everythin else is fallin apart

This book got it all danger family fightin for what matters and not knowin who to trust and its fast too like a old pickup on a downhill slope just tears through the pages and makes you wanna keep on readin even when your eyes is burnin

So yeah if you like books that hit hard and aint scared to show you the ugly truth of how bad things can get then this ones for you

I give it 5 outta 5 catfish