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Fox Creek: A Novel
"A rich, engrossing tale about the antebellum South that delivers indelible characters." - Kirkus Reviews, starred
" . . gorgeously written and emotionally harrowing . . . " - Jessica Fahey, San Francisco Book Review
"You’ll turn the last page wanting more, despairing that it finished. Highly recommended." – Madeeha, Book Nerdection, A"Nerdection Must Read" Selection
The year is 1843 when six-year-old Monette, the pampered and beloved daughter of a French Creole sugar planter, is taken to New Orleans and sold into slavery. Sold along with her is Cyrus, a boy big for his age, torn from his mother without a chance to say goodbye.
Together they go to Fox Creek Plantation in “English” Louisiana, home to the Jensey family. While Cyrus is sent to the fields, Monette becomes the childhood playmate of Kate, the planter’s daughter, and catches the eye of Breck, the planter’s son. It’s easier and safer for Monette to pretend life is normal. That she belongs. To forget her past, even to forget Cyrus, whom she’d loved. But as the years pass, it becomes clear that children of color do not belong in the world of the white elite—at least, not as equals. The brutality and powerlessness of slavery begin to take their toll upon Monette.
Who is she now? Who will protect her? And who is that big boy from the fields who keeps pestering her?
Fox Creek is a powerful novel set during one of the most turbulent times in American history. It is a story of race, privilege, the battle of wills, and the denial of freedom. But most of all, it is a story of love, a love that transcends all that threatens to tear it apart.
" . . gorgeously written and emotionally harrowing . . . " - Jessica Fahey, San Francisco Book Review
"You’ll turn the last page wanting more, despairing that it finished. Highly recommended." – Madeeha, Book Nerdection, A"Nerdection Must Read" Selection
The year is 1843 when six-year-old Monette, the pampered and beloved daughter of a French Creole sugar planter, is taken to New Orleans and sold into slavery. Sold along with her is Cyrus, a boy big for his age, torn from his mother without a chance to say goodbye.
Together they go to Fox Creek Plantation in “English” Louisiana, home to the Jensey family. While Cyrus is sent to the fields, Monette becomes the childhood playmate of Kate, the planter’s daughter, and catches the eye of Breck, the planter’s son. It’s easier and safer for Monette to pretend life is normal. That she belongs. To forget her past, even to forget Cyrus, whom she’d loved. But as the years pass, it becomes clear that children of color do not belong in the world of the white elite—at least, not as equals. The brutality and powerlessness of slavery begin to take their toll upon Monette.
Who is she now? Who will protect her? And who is that big boy from the fields who keeps pestering her?
Fox Creek is a powerful novel set during one of the most turbulent times in American history. It is a story of race, privilege, the battle of wills, and the denial of freedom. But most of all, it is a story of love, a love that transcends all that threatens to tear it apart.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
M. E. Torrey
1 book11 followersAward-Winning Author of Literary Fiction
"Torrey gives voice to the silenced, and she does it with compassion, skill, and a clear sense of moral responsibility." -- Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Book Review
Torrey's fascination with words began at an early age. By the time she was nine, she was reading adult novels (unbeknownst to her parents!) By age eleven, she'd devoured books such as Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jane Eyre. However, she didn't just learn about the world through the pages of a book. For much of her childhood, her family lived overseas. She spent two years in France, three years in England, and five years in Germany. Having spent so many of her formative years overseas, she learned to appreciate the beauty and nuances of different cultures and worldviews.
Torrey first became a "published" writer at age ten, when her short-story was published in her elementary school newsletter. Since then, she has published many articles, stories, and books, including twelve books for children (Random House, Penguin, Union Square & Co. Those books are available at www.micheletorrey.com). She worked in the children's book industry for twenty years, not only as an author, but as a speaker and teacher at conferences, seminars, and schools.
In addition to her writing, Torrey is a co-founder of Orphans Africa, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity (www.orphansafrica.org) and served as Executive Director for seven years. Since 2007, the charity has worked in Tanzania, building boarding schools for children orphaned by disease and poverty. Her organization has educated thousands of children, empowering them to step into their giftedness. Over the years, the students have become doctors, bankers and financiers, nurses, teachers, business entrepreneurs, secretaries, drivers, mechanics, tailors, electricians (including solar & automotive), and more. The schools are now owned and operated by Tanzanians and continue to aim toward complete self-sustainability. Today, Torrey serves as a Director of the Board, and makes regular project visits to Tanzania.
Torrey holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology and an M.A. in Religion. She is concerned about social justice and feels compelled to write about ordinary people faced with issues of moral complexity. Ultimately, she longs to bring healing and forgiveness to a divided world.
Torrey currently resides in Washington State, where she was born.
Fox Creek is Torrey's award-winning debut novel for adults.
"Torrey gives voice to the silenced, and she does it with compassion, skill, and a clear sense of moral responsibility." -- Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Book Review
Torrey's fascination with words began at an early age. By the time she was nine, she was reading adult novels (unbeknownst to her parents!) By age eleven, she'd devoured books such as Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jane Eyre. However, she didn't just learn about the world through the pages of a book. For much of her childhood, her family lived overseas. She spent two years in France, three years in England, and five years in Germany. Having spent so many of her formative years overseas, she learned to appreciate the beauty and nuances of different cultures and worldviews.
Torrey first became a "published" writer at age ten, when her short-story was published in her elementary school newsletter. Since then, she has published many articles, stories, and books, including twelve books for children (Random House, Penguin, Union Square & Co. Those books are available at www.micheletorrey.com). She worked in the children's book industry for twenty years, not only as an author, but as a speaker and teacher at conferences, seminars, and schools.
In addition to her writing, Torrey is a co-founder of Orphans Africa, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity (www.orphansafrica.org) and served as Executive Director for seven years. Since 2007, the charity has worked in Tanzania, building boarding schools for children orphaned by disease and poverty. Her organization has educated thousands of children, empowering them to step into their giftedness. Over the years, the students have become doctors, bankers and financiers, nurses, teachers, business entrepreneurs, secretaries, drivers, mechanics, tailors, electricians (including solar & automotive), and more. The schools are now owned and operated by Tanzanians and continue to aim toward complete self-sustainability. Today, Torrey serves as a Director of the Board, and makes regular project visits to Tanzania.
Torrey holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology and an M.A. in Religion. She is concerned about social justice and feels compelled to write about ordinary people faced with issues of moral complexity. Ultimately, she longs to bring healing and forgiveness to a divided world.
Torrey currently resides in Washington State, where she was born.
Fox Creek is Torrey's award-winning debut novel for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 28, 2025
4.75. This book was a fantastic novel about living in the south in the 1850’s. Historical fiction at its best. I highly recommend everybody read the author’s note at the end. I only wish it was at the beginning because I do believe that this sets the tone for the entire long novel without giving the story away.
Taking place just before the Civil War, this novel depicts the life on a southern plantation from a great voice in a young “mulatto” girl, Monette, sold into slavery when she was only six years old. This book dives deep into Monette’s life and all aspects of living on a plantation and what it entails. What a fantastic depiction from her point of view - with her wonderment in believing she is part of the White Family through realizing she is truly not. I became so invested in so many of Ms Torrey’s characters - each having a bit of goodness and horribleness in them. The fantastic character development of each person in this novel made me love and hate each of them at one point. This book is a slow journey and really picks up only at the very end to a racing conclusion - which then I thought was too fast and didn’t answer all my questions which is why it’s 4.75 and not 5 stars. [It has now been confirmed to be book 1 of a trilogy so this is now a definite 5 star review].
This book was 30 years in the making (from the Author’s Note) but I truly hope she writes a sequel to this novel ASAP because I have to know what happens next for these many characters who live on in my head. Many questions were left at the end for me and I’m left wondering about how the second book could continue.
Thank you to NetGalley, M.E. Torrey and her independent publishing company for the eARC of this wonderfully written book.
Taking place just before the Civil War, this novel depicts the life on a southern plantation from a great voice in a young “mulatto” girl, Monette, sold into slavery when she was only six years old. This book dives deep into Monette’s life and all aspects of living on a plantation and what it entails. What a fantastic depiction from her point of view - with her wonderment in believing she is part of the White Family through realizing she is truly not. I became so invested in so many of Ms Torrey’s characters - each having a bit of goodness and horribleness in them. The fantastic character development of each person in this novel made me love and hate each of them at one point. This book is a slow journey and really picks up only at the very end to a racing conclusion - which then I thought was too fast and didn’t answer all my questions which is why it’s 4.75 and not 5 stars. [It has now been confirmed to be book 1 of a trilogy so this is now a definite 5 star review].
This book was 30 years in the making (from the Author’s Note) but I truly hope she writes a sequel to this novel ASAP because I have to know what happens next for these many characters who live on in my head. Many questions were left at the end for me and I’m left wondering about how the second book could continue.
Thank you to NetGalley, M.E. Torrey and her independent publishing company for the eARC of this wonderfully written book.
July 26, 2025
1843. Louisiana. Fox Creek is a cotton plantation and owned by William and Sarah Jensey and they have two children Beck and Kate. Monette is the mulatto daughter of a French Creole sugar grower, she's taken to New Orleans and sold into slavery and with a young boy called Cyrus. Monette becomes a playmate for Kate and she forgets about her former life and the time she spent in the back of a wagon with Cyrus who’s big for his age and he starts work as a field hand.
Monette doesn’t fit in and she's caught between two worlds, she’s called “yellow” and other nasty names by the house servants, and eventually Miss Sarah banishes her to the attic and she’s expected to pull her weight. The girl who was once thought of herself as Kate’s friend and spoke fluent French, now has to line-up with everyone else and be counted morning and night and the harsh reality is she’s a slave.
I received a copy of M. E. Torrey’s debut adult fiction novel from NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Fox Creek is a historical fiction saga, set in America's South at a time when it was dependent on slavery as a free source of labour and the narrative looks at this from various points of view.
Many of us have read “Gone with the Wind” and have been lead to believe the pre-Civil War ideal, of genteel planters and Southern belle’s in hoop skirts, sitting around sipping mint juleps, socializing and going to balls.
This is a story about white privileged men and women, who thought it was their right to own another person, coloured people were “ like children”, not smart enough to think for themselves, they treated them well and what more could they want and if they dared do something wrong or runaway they were be whipped and severely punished.
The truth is they were slaves and most lived in shacks hidden away, so the ladies couldn’t see or smell them, in fear of being sold and would never see their families again.
The book takes on a journey and for me it wasn’t a tale about love, about uncovering and exploring the facts and slavery was an abomination, poor Monette didn’t fit in anywhere, everyone deserved to be free, and no person should be owned by another. Five stars from me I highly recommend for readers who enjoy well written and interesting historical fiction.
Monette doesn’t fit in and she's caught between two worlds, she’s called “yellow” and other nasty names by the house servants, and eventually Miss Sarah banishes her to the attic and she’s expected to pull her weight. The girl who was once thought of herself as Kate’s friend and spoke fluent French, now has to line-up with everyone else and be counted morning and night and the harsh reality is she’s a slave.
I received a copy of M. E. Torrey’s debut adult fiction novel from NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Fox Creek is a historical fiction saga, set in America's South at a time when it was dependent on slavery as a free source of labour and the narrative looks at this from various points of view.
Many of us have read “Gone with the Wind” and have been lead to believe the pre-Civil War ideal, of genteel planters and Southern belle’s in hoop skirts, sitting around sipping mint juleps, socializing and going to balls.
This is a story about white privileged men and women, who thought it was their right to own another person, coloured people were “ like children”, not smart enough to think for themselves, they treated them well and what more could they want and if they dared do something wrong or runaway they were be whipped and severely punished.
The truth is they were slaves and most lived in shacks hidden away, so the ladies couldn’t see or smell them, in fear of being sold and would never see their families again.
The book takes on a journey and for me it wasn’t a tale about love, about uncovering and exploring the facts and slavery was an abomination, poor Monette didn’t fit in anywhere, everyone deserved to be free, and no person should be owned by another. Five stars from me I highly recommend for readers who enjoy well written and interesting historical fiction.
September 2, 2025
FOX CREEK
by M. E. Torrey
Another brutal truth of our past—
The setting of this sprawling story is Fox Creek, a plantation in antebellum Louisiana in 1843. William Jensey has just purchased a companion for his daughter, Kate—a biracial young girl named Monette, who was torn from her pampered life and sold into slavery. Also purchased to work at the plantation is Cyrus, a young boy who traveled with Monette and was taken from his mother without her knowledge.
As the story unfolds, and the characters develop over the years, we begin to see how socially imposed “proper” roles shape their identities and relationships.
The novel is beautifully written and emotionally harrowing at times. Fox Creek is a deep and insightful story about the impact of slavery in America. M. E. Torrey’s language is poetic in her descriptions of both characters and scenes. She reflects on different points of view to show how people were affected—both those who were enslaved and those who owned slaves.
I thought the characters were well developed, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC, for the ARC.
by M. E. Torrey
Another brutal truth of our past—
The setting of this sprawling story is Fox Creek, a plantation in antebellum Louisiana in 1843. William Jensey has just purchased a companion for his daughter, Kate—a biracial young girl named Monette, who was torn from her pampered life and sold into slavery. Also purchased to work at the plantation is Cyrus, a young boy who traveled with Monette and was taken from his mother without her knowledge.
As the story unfolds, and the characters develop over the years, we begin to see how socially imposed “proper” roles shape their identities and relationships.
The novel is beautifully written and emotionally harrowing at times. Fox Creek is a deep and insightful story about the impact of slavery in America. M. E. Torrey’s language is poetic in her descriptions of both characters and scenes. She reflects on different points of view to show how people were affected—both those who were enslaved and those who owned slaves.
I thought the characters were well developed, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC, for the ARC.
September 18, 2025
1843. Louisiana. Fox Creek is a cotton plantation and owned by William and Sarah Jensey and they have two children Beck and Kate. Monette is the mulatto daughter of a French Creole sugar grower, she's taken to New Orleans and sold into slavery and with a young boy called Cyrus. Monette becomes a playmate for Kate and she forgets about her former life and the time she spent in the back of a wagon with Cyrus who’s big for his age and he starts work as a field hand.
Monette doesn’t fit in and she's caught between two worlds, she’s called “yellow” and other nasty names by the house servants, and eventually Miss Sarah banishes her to the attic and she’s expected to pull her weight. The girl who was once thought of herself as Kate’s friend and spoke fluent French, now has to line-up with everyone else and be counted morning and night and the harsh reality is she’s a slave.
I received a copy of M. E. Torrey’s debut adult fiction novel from NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Fox Creek is a historical fiction saga, set in America's South at a time when it was dependent on slavery as a free source of labour and the narrative looks at this from various points of view.
Many of us have read “Gone with the Wind” and have been lead to believe the pre-Civil War ideal, of genteel planters and Southern belle’s in hoop skirts, sitting around sipping mint juleps, socializing and going to balls.
This is a story about white privileged men and women, who thought it was their right to own another person, coloured people were “ like children”, not smart enough to think for themselves, they treated them well and what more could they want and if they dared do something wrong or runaway they were be whipped and severely punished.
The truth is they were slaves and most lived in shacks hidden away, so the ladies couldn’t see or smell them, in fear of being sold and would never see their families again.
The book takes on a journey and for me it wasn’t a tale about love, about uncovering and exploring the facts and slavery was an abomination, poor Monette didn’t fit in anywhere, everyone deserved to be free, and no person should be owned by another. Five stars from me I highly recommend for readers who enjoy well written and interesting historical fiction.
Monette doesn’t fit in and she's caught between two worlds, she’s called “yellow” and other nasty names by the house servants, and eventually Miss Sarah banishes her to the attic and she’s expected to pull her weight. The girl who was once thought of herself as Kate’s friend and spoke fluent French, now has to line-up with everyone else and be counted morning and night and the harsh reality is she’s a slave.
I received a copy of M. E. Torrey’s debut adult fiction novel from NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Fox Creek is a historical fiction saga, set in America's South at a time when it was dependent on slavery as a free source of labour and the narrative looks at this from various points of view.
Many of us have read “Gone with the Wind” and have been lead to believe the pre-Civil War ideal, of genteel planters and Southern belle’s in hoop skirts, sitting around sipping mint juleps, socializing and going to balls.
This is a story about white privileged men and women, who thought it was their right to own another person, coloured people were “ like children”, not smart enough to think for themselves, they treated them well and what more could they want and if they dared do something wrong or runaway they were be whipped and severely punished.
The truth is they were slaves and most lived in shacks hidden away, so the ladies couldn’t see or smell them, in fear of being sold and would never see their families again.
The book takes on a journey and for me it wasn’t a tale about love, about uncovering and exploring the facts and slavery was an abomination, poor Monette didn’t fit in anywhere, everyone deserved to be free, and no person should be owned by another. Five stars from me I highly recommend for readers who enjoy well written and interesting historical fiction.
May 18, 2025
Review: Fox Creek by M. E. Torrey
🌿 Overview
M. E. Torrey’s Fox Creek (releasing September 2025) is a sweeping historical novel that immerses readers in the complex tapestry of plantation life in the American South. With a richly drawn cast of characters and a narrative that balances intimacy with grandeur, Torrey crafts a story that is as much about the land as it is about the people bound to it. Themes of power, resilience, and legacy unfold against a backdrop of lush, evocative prose, making Fox Creek a standout in historical fiction.
✨ Key Strengths
🏛️ Vivid Historical Detail – The plantation setting is rendered with authenticity, transporting readers to a bygone era.
👥 Nuanced Characters – From landowners to laborers, each voice feels distinct and deeply human.
🌄 Atmospheric Storytelling – Torrey’s prose lingers like Southern humidity, thick with emotion and texture.
⚖️ Moral Complexity – Avoids simplistic judgments, exploring the gray areas of history with sensitivity.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – Deliberate and immersive; readers seeking fast-paced action may find it slow.
📜 Niche Appeal – Best suited for fans of character-driven historical sagas.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) (Words like honeyed bourbon—smooth, potent, and lingering.)
🌍 Setting & Atmosphere → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🧠 Character Depth → ★★★★ (4/5)
🔄 Originality → ★★★★ (4/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A river of a story—deep, winding, and impossible to forget.
🎯 Perfect For Fans Of
📚 The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates or Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
🌳 Layered historical fiction with a strong sense of place
🖋️ Torrey’s talent for blending personal and political narratives
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and M. E. Torrey for the advance copy. Fox Creek is a testament to the enduring power of stories rooted in the soil of history.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; subject to change before publication.)
🌿 Overview
M. E. Torrey’s Fox Creek (releasing September 2025) is a sweeping historical novel that immerses readers in the complex tapestry of plantation life in the American South. With a richly drawn cast of characters and a narrative that balances intimacy with grandeur, Torrey crafts a story that is as much about the land as it is about the people bound to it. Themes of power, resilience, and legacy unfold against a backdrop of lush, evocative prose, making Fox Creek a standout in historical fiction.
✨ Key Strengths
🏛️ Vivid Historical Detail – The plantation setting is rendered with authenticity, transporting readers to a bygone era.
👥 Nuanced Characters – From landowners to laborers, each voice feels distinct and deeply human.
🌄 Atmospheric Storytelling – Torrey’s prose lingers like Southern humidity, thick with emotion and texture.
⚖️ Moral Complexity – Avoids simplistic judgments, exploring the gray areas of history with sensitivity.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – Deliberate and immersive; readers seeking fast-paced action may find it slow.
📜 Niche Appeal – Best suited for fans of character-driven historical sagas.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) (Words like honeyed bourbon—smooth, potent, and lingering.)
🌍 Setting & Atmosphere → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🧠 Character Depth → ★★★★ (4/5)
🔄 Originality → ★★★★ (4/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A river of a story—deep, winding, and impossible to forget.
🎯 Perfect For Fans Of
📚 The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates or Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
🌳 Layered historical fiction with a strong sense of place
🖋️ Torrey’s talent for blending personal and political narratives
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and M. E. Torrey for the advance copy. Fox Creek is a testament to the enduring power of stories rooted in the soil of history.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; subject to change before publication.)
October 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of Fox Creek by M E Torrey. This book is centered around Fox Creek Plantation outside of New Orleans. I found it very well written with good character development. The book gave a more balanced story of plantation life in the South (between the owners and the enslaved workers). I would recommend this book. I’m giving it a solid 4 stars.
July 14, 2025
Fox Creek is historical fiction set in Louisiana a few years before the American Civil War. Against a historical background of slavery, cotton growing and sugar cane production, the author weaves the story of a young child called Monette.
The mixed race daughter of a French Creole plantation owner, Monette was six when her father died and the privileged life she knew ended abruptly with her being sold into slavery. From here Monette becomes a playmate for the daughter of William Jensey and much of the storyline focuses on these youngsters as they eventually mature into young women. While there are adults in this story and some adult themes, the ages of the main characters kept this book bordering on young adult fiction.
I enjoyed the historical details of the story the most, while the slower paced day-to-day lives, loves and aspirations of the characters were less interesting. I understand that plantation life wasn’t all that exciting, but for the sake of fiction, I was hoping for more from this story.
The mixed race daughter of a French Creole plantation owner, Monette was six when her father died and the privileged life she knew ended abruptly with her being sold into slavery. From here Monette becomes a playmate for the daughter of William Jensey and much of the storyline focuses on these youngsters as they eventually mature into young women. While there are adults in this story and some adult themes, the ages of the main characters kept this book bordering on young adult fiction.
I enjoyed the historical details of the story the most, while the slower paced day-to-day lives, loves and aspirations of the characters were less interesting. I understand that plantation life wasn’t all that exciting, but for the sake of fiction, I was hoping for more from this story.
August 14, 2025
Fox Creek is an honest historical fiction novel that follows the story of young Monette after she is sold into slavery at just 6 years old. Through her journey, she befriends Cyrus, and they adjust to life on a plantation together.
Monette’s POV was difficult to read as she was truly just a young girl with no guidance trying to figure things out. She struggled to learn her place amongst the house and amongst the other slaves. Everyone took advantage of her - Kate, Breck, William, and the other slaves.
I do wish we had more of Cyrus’ story and their connection. Cyrus was easily my favorite storyline and I secretly looked for his name on every runaway list.
Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willing.
Monette’s POV was difficult to read as she was truly just a young girl with no guidance trying to figure things out. She struggled to learn her place amongst the house and amongst the other slaves. Everyone took advantage of her - Kate, Breck, William, and the other slaves.
I do wish we had more of Cyrus’ story and their connection. Cyrus was easily my favorite storyline and I secretly looked for his name on every runaway list.
Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willing.
June 25, 2025
Goodness! Enjoy this perfect book on the long summer evenings, with an enthralling historical backdrop to keep you engrossed.
Picking up Fox Creek, the parallels with Wuthering Heights excited me, something I noticed when reading the synopsis. A slave girl abandoning her oppressed childhood friend for the spineless elite-born white? Now that would be interesting to read. Moreover, this wasn’t the only interesting part of the book—I had only just begun.
The writing is punchy and easily draws you into the depth of the historical lore. Within a few lines, you’re deep into the dark pages of the past, with the rich plantation owners living like nobles, their wealth built on cotton and slavery.
That evening, a storm blew. Wind howled around the big house, repeatedly slamming a shutter that refused to stay battened. Rain pelted sideways, leaking through every chink of the roof and seeping between window frames like tears.
The central idea of inequality in Fox Creek hits you hard. That there was once a time when humans enslaved fellow humans because of the darkness of their skins is simply horrifying. Melatonin in such quantities was twisted into a factor to label them as subhuman, less intelligent, dirty in the eyes of others. Someone to be bought like cattle and shot dead when it felt necessary.
Yet the best part of the book is the time and thoroughness the author puts into character development. From the submissive Cyrus who stutters when confronted with white people, to the intelligent Breck who quietly observes the injustice of it all. There were so many amazing gray~ish characters with virtues and vices I enjoyed.
I especially like the plantation mistress, Sarah, who is a deeply conflicted character. Her kind behavior with the slaves and yet her refusal to admit to their equal status as humans, her willingness to teach them religion but dismissing their education. It felt contradictory. After all, gilt chains are still chains. Freedom is never about comfort, but about autonomy, and the slaves are denied even a sliver of it.
Praying, praying, praying, her prayers seeming to go no farther than her lips, a mockery, as if the conclusion was foregone, written in the heavens, unchangeable even by the hands of God.
Overall, I loved the deep lore in Fox Creek. The dialogue is catchy, the atmosphere thick with a sense of impending doom, and the characters unforgettable. You’ll turn the last page wanting more, despairing that it finished. Highly recommended.
Reviewed By Madeeha
December 1, 2025
I received a copy of Fox Creek in exchange for an honest review. See the full review at
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
There is a lie that some Southerners tell ourselves, a lie stoked by antebellum media and the great deception of the “lost cause”: the lie of The Good Owner. The lie that not all owners of enslaved persons were that bad, and that indeed most were essentially benevolent caretakers of the workers they somehow found themselves… managing.
M. E. Torrey’s Fox Creek puts paid to that lie with her Jensey family, as we see them through the eyes of Monette, a Mulato girl bought as a child to be a companion for her enslavers’ daughter. Raised first as the beloved daughter of an aging plantation owner in her own right and then sold to the Jenseys when her father dies, Monette does not, at first, realize that she is enslaved. As readers, we know this, we see this little girl with just enough distance to know that the hammer will fall – that her world will crumble, but the blow is put off until the moment of absolute greatest impact.
From the everyday cruelties of life as an enslaved person, to the startling amount of work a plantation mistress had to do to maintain her household, to the omnipresent fear that came with being an enslaver surrounded and outnumbered by those whose bodies you might own, but whose minds and wills you could not break – few details escape the author's notice. Torrey embraces all of these complexities as she weaves a story years in breadth, and decades in the making.
Heady in detail, and the omnipresent Louisiana heat, rich in characters, in setting, in love, in pain, Fox Creek is the kind of book that stands apart from the time in which it was published and yet now, in 2025, it feels radically prescient.
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
There is a lie that some Southerners tell ourselves, a lie stoked by antebellum media and the great deception of the “lost cause”: the lie of The Good Owner. The lie that not all owners of enslaved persons were that bad, and that indeed most were essentially benevolent caretakers of the workers they somehow found themselves… managing.
M. E. Torrey’s Fox Creek puts paid to that lie with her Jensey family, as we see them through the eyes of Monette, a Mulato girl bought as a child to be a companion for her enslavers’ daughter. Raised first as the beloved daughter of an aging plantation owner in her own right and then sold to the Jenseys when her father dies, Monette does not, at first, realize that she is enslaved. As readers, we know this, we see this little girl with just enough distance to know that the hammer will fall – that her world will crumble, but the blow is put off until the moment of absolute greatest impact.
From the everyday cruelties of life as an enslaved person, to the startling amount of work a plantation mistress had to do to maintain her household, to the omnipresent fear that came with being an enslaver surrounded and outnumbered by those whose bodies you might own, but whose minds and wills you could not break – few details escape the author's notice. Torrey embraces all of these complexities as she weaves a story years in breadth, and decades in the making.
Heady in detail, and the omnipresent Louisiana heat, rich in characters, in setting, in love, in pain, Fox Creek is the kind of book that stands apart from the time in which it was published and yet now, in 2025, it feels radically prescient.
July 23, 2025
I received an advanced release copy of this book through Net Galley.
Fox Creek is a story about the oppression of slavery in the South just prior to the Civil War and those of privilege who owned them. Focused mainly on Monette, a biracial child sold into slavery to become a companion to the wealthy Fox Creek Plantation owner's daughter, Kate. The two become fast and loyal friends, which angers the majority of the other slaves within the plantation and gradually begins to concern Kate's parents. In addition, there is a growing attraction between Monette and Breck, Kate's older brother, which is, of course, strictly forbidden. William is a firm and sometimes kind owner and master of the plantation but he does not spare the whip when something does not go his way. Sarah, his wife, is kind and compassionate towards the slaves but still understands the way of the South and how inferior the black race is and has no problem saying so. (This part of the book was just so disturbing, yet insightful, as to how things were in that period of time.)
While I enjoyed this book and found it to be an interesting read, it was definitely disturbing; however, concerning the subject, that should not be too surprising. I did, however, have a hard time with some of the storylines as I felt there were issues addressed yet never brought to conclusion. The ending was also extremely disappointing and I am not even sure I completely understand what exactly happened. I want full closure when I read a book not a draw-your-own conclusion ending.
Fox Creek is a story about the oppression of slavery in the South just prior to the Civil War and those of privilege who owned them. Focused mainly on Monette, a biracial child sold into slavery to become a companion to the wealthy Fox Creek Plantation owner's daughter, Kate. The two become fast and loyal friends, which angers the majority of the other slaves within the plantation and gradually begins to concern Kate's parents. In addition, there is a growing attraction between Monette and Breck, Kate's older brother, which is, of course, strictly forbidden. William is a firm and sometimes kind owner and master of the plantation but he does not spare the whip when something does not go his way. Sarah, his wife, is kind and compassionate towards the slaves but still understands the way of the South and how inferior the black race is and has no problem saying so. (This part of the book was just so disturbing, yet insightful, as to how things were in that period of time.)
While I enjoyed this book and found it to be an interesting read, it was definitely disturbing; however, concerning the subject, that should not be too surprising. I did, however, have a hard time with some of the storylines as I felt there were issues addressed yet never brought to conclusion. The ending was also extremely disappointing and I am not even sure I completely understand what exactly happened. I want full closure when I read a book not a draw-your-own conclusion ending.
August 28, 2025
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion .
Wow this book was amazing. It tells the story of the two different sides of slavery from the slave girl Monette who is sold to the Fox Creek plantation and becomes friends with the plantation owners daughter Kate. Whilst the book was a little slow at the start when Monette arrives at Fox Creek the story is so gripping, heartbreaking and eye opening . The disparity between what the plantation family has and what the slaves do not is so worlds apart . Thoroughly enjoyed it and would hope we get another book in this series . Highly recommend 4.5 ⭐️ upgraded
Wow this book was amazing. It tells the story of the two different sides of slavery from the slave girl Monette who is sold to the Fox Creek plantation and becomes friends with the plantation owners daughter Kate. Whilst the book was a little slow at the start when Monette arrives at Fox Creek the story is so gripping, heartbreaking and eye opening . The disparity between what the plantation family has and what the slaves do not is so worlds apart . Thoroughly enjoyed it and would hope we get another book in this series . Highly recommend 4.5 ⭐️ upgraded
August 28, 2025
Upgraded to 4.5⭐️ Wow this historical fiction book was amazing. Set in the 1850’s in the Deep South of America, it tells life on a cotton and sugar plantation told by the family of the plantation owner plus the viewpoint of several of the slaves that work on the land. The descriptions of the hot humid swamps and bayous were really vivid and the desperation and heartbreak of the slaves and also trials and tribulations of growing up under Southern expectations made this a thoroughly gripping debut adult novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
July 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started off with a bang and I was hoping for a 5 star book. But then the storyline got slow until the last few chapters. The author doesn't hold back on the horrible treatment of the slaves and the events are plausible. Overall, I give it 3.5.
This book started off with a bang and I was hoping for a 5 star book. But then the storyline got slow until the last few chapters. The author doesn't hold back on the horrible treatment of the slaves and the events are plausible. Overall, I give it 3.5.
July 21, 2025
Set in Louisiana in the 1850s, the author handles the details of slavery well. She handles the complexity of the characters well. The slave owners are not presented as all bad, but with all the complexity of their perspective in their time. Intense at many points. Realistic. Compelling.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sly Fox Publishing for my Advanced Reader copy. The review is my own.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sly Fox Publishing for my Advanced Reader copy. The review is my own.
July 14, 2025
An immersive historical novel about plantation life in 1850s America. With a superb cast of characters who have been thoroughly thought out and developed by the author.
We're transported to a bygone era via the authors fantastic crafting of an atmospheric period of time that just felt so real. The pacing was just right to be drawn in, I found myself highly anticipated at what was to come.
The novel has been weaved together to highlight the struggles on each side of the slavery era. Making this a truly profound and emotional story. The author displays the reality for those who became enslaved, including very young children, but also shows us the background of the very people who govern this system.
Themes of legacy, power, resilience, identity, and freedom are a poignant part of the story, giving readers an insight into the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fox Creek. It captured my attention from the beginning to the very end, and im fairly certain I felt every single emotion possible.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
We're transported to a bygone era via the authors fantastic crafting of an atmospheric period of time that just felt so real. The pacing was just right to be drawn in, I found myself highly anticipated at what was to come.
The novel has been weaved together to highlight the struggles on each side of the slavery era. Making this a truly profound and emotional story. The author displays the reality for those who became enslaved, including very young children, but also shows us the background of the very people who govern this system.
Themes of legacy, power, resilience, identity, and freedom are a poignant part of the story, giving readers an insight into the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fox Creek. It captured my attention from the beginning to the very end, and im fairly certain I felt every single emotion possible.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
August 7, 2025
How will I carry on living after this?
This is a novel set in the south of America in the 1860s, following the Jersey family, residents of Fox Creek, and exploring how their lives interfere with those of others, ultimately shaping their destiny.
This novel is less about historical incidents and more about the nature of life in the south at the time, for both the white people and those enslaved. It deals with how differently people saw that situation and delt with it.
But what this book did best was presenting a unique and forbidden love story, a love that was supposed to be but that was, because when two human souls truly collide no custom nor law can stop them.
I loved the writing so much, and the characters were so well written that I felt their pain and wished them the best with the full measure of my spirit, and I feel so sad that my journey with them has come to an end.
This story was a masterpiece, one that I'll keep thinking about for too long, and though it was comparatively long, I still want much more, there are many questions that I'm longing to get answers for, and many details that I wish were there, but for that I shall lean on my imagination to fill the blanks.
Thank you NetGalley and M.E.Torrey for the ARC.
This is a novel set in the south of America in the 1860s, following the Jersey family, residents of Fox Creek, and exploring how their lives interfere with those of others, ultimately shaping their destiny.
This novel is less about historical incidents and more about the nature of life in the south at the time, for both the white people and those enslaved. It deals with how differently people saw that situation and delt with it.
But what this book did best was presenting a unique and forbidden love story, a love that was supposed to be but that was, because when two human souls truly collide no custom nor law can stop them.
I loved the writing so much, and the characters were so well written that I felt their pain and wished them the best with the full measure of my spirit, and I feel so sad that my journey with them has come to an end.
This story was a masterpiece, one that I'll keep thinking about for too long, and though it was comparatively long, I still want much more, there are many questions that I'm longing to get answers for, and many details that I wish were there, but for that I shall lean on my imagination to fill the blanks.
Thank you NetGalley and M.E.Torrey for the ARC.
October 1, 2025
I found it humbling and exceptional. Having unexpected compassion for characters I’d prefer to loathe.
June 13, 2025
Fox Creek
by M. E. Torrey
Set in 1843, the story follows Monette, a six-year-old girl who transitions from the privileged daughter of a prosperous sugar planter to a slave. After her father’s death, she is sold into slavery because of her mixed race. During her journey to the auction, she is protected by a boy named Cyrus. They are both brought by the Jensey family from the Fox Creek Plantation in Louisiana. Cyrus is assigned to the fields, while Monette becomes a companion to the planter's daughter, Kate.
The novel stands out with its profound emotional depth and poignant heartache, vividly portraying the experiences and struggles of individuals on both sides of the slavery era. It intricately weaves together personal stories that highlight the harsh realities of enslaved people while also examining the moral dilemmas faced by those who perpetuated the system. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in American history, the book delves into themes of resilience, identity, and the quest for freedom, offering readers an understanding of the complexities and contradictions of this dark chapter in the nation's past.
I was thoroughly engaged in the first part of the book, captivated by the rich characters and intricate plot development. The author’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted dialogue drew me into the story, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story. However, as I progressed into the later sections, my focus occasionally wavered due to some pacing issues and less compelling subplots. Despite this, my overall appreciation for the book remained intact. Nevertheless, I found the ending to be quite abrupt; it lacked the depth and resolution I was hoping for, leaving several key questions unanswered and a lingering sense of incompleteness.
by M. E. Torrey
Set in 1843, the story follows Monette, a six-year-old girl who transitions from the privileged daughter of a prosperous sugar planter to a slave. After her father’s death, she is sold into slavery because of her mixed race. During her journey to the auction, she is protected by a boy named Cyrus. They are both brought by the Jensey family from the Fox Creek Plantation in Louisiana. Cyrus is assigned to the fields, while Monette becomes a companion to the planter's daughter, Kate.
The novel stands out with its profound emotional depth and poignant heartache, vividly portraying the experiences and struggles of individuals on both sides of the slavery era. It intricately weaves together personal stories that highlight the harsh realities of enslaved people while also examining the moral dilemmas faced by those who perpetuated the system. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in American history, the book delves into themes of resilience, identity, and the quest for freedom, offering readers an understanding of the complexities and contradictions of this dark chapter in the nation's past.
I was thoroughly engaged in the first part of the book, captivated by the rich characters and intricate plot development. The author’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted dialogue drew me into the story, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story. However, as I progressed into the later sections, my focus occasionally wavered due to some pacing issues and less compelling subplots. Despite this, my overall appreciation for the book remained intact. Nevertheless, I found the ending to be quite abrupt; it lacked the depth and resolution I was hoping for, leaving several key questions unanswered and a lingering sense of incompleteness.
August 28, 2025
UPDATE: The author has now said this will be the first of a trilogy, so, although I still consider the ending more rushed and abrupt than it should have been, it is not the true end.
M. E. Torrey's "Fox Creek" offers readers a truly immersive journey into the Antebellum South, painting a rich tapestry of location and characters. The narrative centers around Monette, a "mulatto" slave, and Breck and Kate, the children of a plantation owner, with the character of Cyrus also making a notable appearance in the earlier sections of the book.
One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is its narrative style, which I found to be reminiscent of a captivating television series. The story unfolds with a core cast and a defined setting, presenting a series of events much like individual episodes. These range from the nuanced everyday realities of plantation life and the broader Southern landscape of the 1840s, to moments of intense drama and thrilling tension. Torrey truly excels at drawing the reader into the historical period and, more impressively, into the minds of her characters. Through her vivid descriptions, it feels remarkably easy to visualize and understand, even for a brief moment, what it meant to live their lives. This ability to transport the reader is a significant strength of the book, making it a very lavish read to savor.
However, I must also share a point of personal reflection regarding the conclusion. The ending felt somewhat abrupt and, for me, didn't provide a complete sense of resolution. It left me with a feeling akin to a TV show cliffhanger, eager for more but without a definitive closing point. Additionally, while the initial chapters meticulously provided a month and year, this practice became inconsistent later in the book. Although contextual clues often allowed me to follow the timeline, I personally would have appreciated the consistent dating in every chapter for clarity.
Despite these points, "Fox Creek" is undoubtedly a rich and engrossing read. It's a book to be savored, especially fitting for a hot summer afternoon when you can fully immerse yourself in its detailed historical setting and complex characters. Readers who appreciate vivid historical immersion and a narrative style that feels episodic and character-driven will likely find much to enjoy in M. E. Torrey's work.
M. E. Torrey's "Fox Creek" offers readers a truly immersive journey into the Antebellum South, painting a rich tapestry of location and characters. The narrative centers around Monette, a "mulatto" slave, and Breck and Kate, the children of a plantation owner, with the character of Cyrus also making a notable appearance in the earlier sections of the book.
One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is its narrative style, which I found to be reminiscent of a captivating television series. The story unfolds with a core cast and a defined setting, presenting a series of events much like individual episodes. These range from the nuanced everyday realities of plantation life and the broader Southern landscape of the 1840s, to moments of intense drama and thrilling tension. Torrey truly excels at drawing the reader into the historical period and, more impressively, into the minds of her characters. Through her vivid descriptions, it feels remarkably easy to visualize and understand, even for a brief moment, what it meant to live their lives. This ability to transport the reader is a significant strength of the book, making it a very lavish read to savor.
However, I must also share a point of personal reflection regarding the conclusion. The ending felt somewhat abrupt and, for me, didn't provide a complete sense of resolution. It left me with a feeling akin to a TV show cliffhanger, eager for more but without a definitive closing point. Additionally, while the initial chapters meticulously provided a month and year, this practice became inconsistent later in the book. Although contextual clues often allowed me to follow the timeline, I personally would have appreciated the consistent dating in every chapter for clarity.
Despite these points, "Fox Creek" is undoubtedly a rich and engrossing read. It's a book to be savored, especially fitting for a hot summer afternoon when you can fully immerse yourself in its detailed historical setting and complex characters. Readers who appreciate vivid historical immersion and a narrative style that feels episodic and character-driven will likely find much to enjoy in M. E. Torrey's work.
August 28, 2025
Fox Creek is a powerful historical fiction novel that explores the devastating legacy of slavery through the lens of both slave owner and slave. The story follows Monette, a young mulatto girl, sold by her family at a very young age. She is bought by the Jensey family, owners of Fox Creek Plantation, and becomes a playmate to their young daughter, Kate.
Torrey captures the brutal realities of slavery with honesty and respect. Your heart will bleed with the descriptions of trauma, guilt, silence and love. The novel shines with its richly drawn characters and the ways in which the author forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truths.
I am ecstatic to know that this is the first book of a trilogy. Without a doubt, I will anxiously await the next two novels in this series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.
Torrey captures the brutal realities of slavery with honesty and respect. Your heart will bleed with the descriptions of trauma, guilt, silence and love. The novel shines with its richly drawn characters and the ways in which the author forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truths.
I am ecstatic to know that this is the first book of a trilogy. Without a doubt, I will anxiously await the next two novels in this series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.
November 5, 2025
Monette's father passes away when she is six, and she is sold to the Jensey family, along with a boy called Cyrus. She is originally a playmate for Kate, the Jensey daughter who is near her own age, but ends up being a house slave. Breck, the Jensey's oldest son, becomes increasingly attracted to Monette, as they grow out of childhood. Knowing it is forbidden, Breck keeps his feelings hidden...
I really enjoyed this book. Two of the things that kept it from being a five star read were a) I thought this book was about both Monette and Cyrus, but he ended up being an afterthought and was only in the beginning and ending and b) I felt like the ending was extremely abrupt, and the story felt incomplete.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I really enjoyed this book. Two of the things that kept it from being a five star read were a) I thought this book was about both Monette and Cyrus, but he ended up being an afterthought and was only in the beginning and ending and b) I felt like the ending was extremely abrupt, and the story felt incomplete.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 1, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings on this one, I'm sad to say. The author is a great writer. I appreciated her note at the end of the book explaining her hopes that this book will give a more accurate picture of Southern history. While I feel like she made a good effort, I still feel like this book missed the mark in a lot of ways.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
While she did try to give some perspective, I still felt like this book was written more toward white sympathy. I felt like the mistress of the plantation, Sarah, was painted in too positive of a light. Yes she treated the slaves with kindness, but there wasn't enough emphasis on the fact that they were HER SLAVES. Not people she hired to work for her. It was too glossed over. And the Mammy character? I felt like I was going back to the Gone with the Wind days.
The same goes for how she portrayed Kate and Breck - as if the reader should view them fondly because Kate treated Monette as a sister figure & Breck felt like he was in love with her. Monette had no opportunity to decide if she was their friend/lover. They literally owned her.
Although the plantation family were the true villains in this story, they weren't the characters most portrayed as villainous! Why was the runaway slave Sawney portrayed as this scary figure, running around in the dark, burning down property? Why not write a bit from his perspective, the anger and distress he was definitely feeling because he was enslaved? And Fatima? She shouldn't have been abusive to Monette, I'll give the author that - but why was she painted as the evil character and Monette as a type of "hero" when Monette gave away the location of the runaway camp?
The author did a good job showing the dark sides of William & Marshall's characters, but here's the problem - no one would have a hard time seeing them as villains because they were overtly racist. It's the portrayal of the so-called "good" characters. Plenty of people considered themselves "good" - forgetting the fact that they still saw human beings as their property.
I just don't think this book is going to land the way the author hopes it will. I appreciate her effort and I enjoyed her writing style, but this book just wasn't it for me.
I have mixed feelings on this one, I'm sad to say. The author is a great writer. I appreciated her note at the end of the book explaining her hopes that this book will give a more accurate picture of Southern history. While I feel like she made a good effort, I still feel like this book missed the mark in a lot of ways.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
While she did try to give some perspective, I still felt like this book was written more toward white sympathy. I felt like the mistress of the plantation, Sarah, was painted in too positive of a light. Yes she treated the slaves with kindness, but there wasn't enough emphasis on the fact that they were HER SLAVES. Not people she hired to work for her. It was too glossed over. And the Mammy character? I felt like I was going back to the Gone with the Wind days.
The same goes for how she portrayed Kate and Breck - as if the reader should view them fondly because Kate treated Monette as a sister figure & Breck felt like he was in love with her. Monette had no opportunity to decide if she was their friend/lover. They literally owned her.
Although the plantation family were the true villains in this story, they weren't the characters most portrayed as villainous! Why was the runaway slave Sawney portrayed as this scary figure, running around in the dark, burning down property? Why not write a bit from his perspective, the anger and distress he was definitely feeling because he was enslaved? And Fatima? She shouldn't have been abusive to Monette, I'll give the author that - but why was she painted as the evil character and Monette as a type of "hero" when Monette gave away the location of the runaway camp?
The author did a good job showing the dark sides of William & Marshall's characters, but here's the problem - no one would have a hard time seeing them as villains because they were overtly racist. It's the portrayal of the so-called "good" characters. Plenty of people considered themselves "good" - forgetting the fact that they still saw human beings as their property.
I just don't think this book is going to land the way the author hopes it will. I appreciate her effort and I enjoyed her writing style, but this book just wasn't it for me.
December 5, 2025
Fox Creek is the first book of The Fox Creek Plantation Trilogy and the first book written by M.E. Torrey for adult audiences. The story that unfolds before readers is an emotional one filled with hard truths.
William and Sarah Jensey, along with their children Kate and Breck, are a comfortable southern family living in antebellum America. It is 1843, and cotton and sugar are ruling Southern American society. William, Sarah, and their children attend a slave auction and purchase some enslaved people. One of those purchases is a young mulatto girl named Monette, and she is to become a companion for their daughter Kate. It is through the eyes of Monette, Kate, William, Sarah, and Breck that readers will witness the struggles of plantation life.
Torrey’s theme for Fox Creek centers around the brutal truth of slavery in America. She does not shy away or dance around the violent nature of slavery. Torrey vividly describes chained men, women, and children being dragged through the mud and across rivers. She brings to light the emotions brought on by being whipped for not behaving, families being torn apart, and being told you will never advance yourself in society because of the color of your skin.
The Jensey family is a host of characters representing a society that struggles with the issues of moral responsibility. William is proud of his family and his plantation. He strives to instruct his son, Breck, on the inner workings of the business so that he may be as successful as those who came before him. Sarah is a wife who works hard to keep her household in order. Yet in all the goodness the family exudes, they are slave owners. William and Sarah may seem to treat their slaves fairly, but the ugliness is always just around the corner.
Fox Creek is a book that is thoroughly researched and demands respect, but there is some room for improvement. Readers will not discover a straightforward plot. Torrey utilizes different points of view and writing formats to deliver her story. While the fractured format resembles the fractured society Torrey is speaking of, it can be hard to follow.
M.E Torrey’s Fox Creek is a story about survival, moral responsibility, and clinging to hope. If you are a reader looking for a raw, emotional story and like historical fiction, you will want to add this one to your reading list.
William and Sarah Jensey, along with their children Kate and Breck, are a comfortable southern family living in antebellum America. It is 1843, and cotton and sugar are ruling Southern American society. William, Sarah, and their children attend a slave auction and purchase some enslaved people. One of those purchases is a young mulatto girl named Monette, and she is to become a companion for their daughter Kate. It is through the eyes of Monette, Kate, William, Sarah, and Breck that readers will witness the struggles of plantation life.
Torrey’s theme for Fox Creek centers around the brutal truth of slavery in America. She does not shy away or dance around the violent nature of slavery. Torrey vividly describes chained men, women, and children being dragged through the mud and across rivers. She brings to light the emotions brought on by being whipped for not behaving, families being torn apart, and being told you will never advance yourself in society because of the color of your skin.
The Jensey family is a host of characters representing a society that struggles with the issues of moral responsibility. William is proud of his family and his plantation. He strives to instruct his son, Breck, on the inner workings of the business so that he may be as successful as those who came before him. Sarah is a wife who works hard to keep her household in order. Yet in all the goodness the family exudes, they are slave owners. William and Sarah may seem to treat their slaves fairly, but the ugliness is always just around the corner.
Fox Creek is a book that is thoroughly researched and demands respect, but there is some room for improvement. Readers will not discover a straightforward plot. Torrey utilizes different points of view and writing formats to deliver her story. While the fractured format resembles the fractured society Torrey is speaking of, it can be hard to follow.
M.E Torrey’s Fox Creek is a story about survival, moral responsibility, and clinging to hope. If you are a reader looking for a raw, emotional story and like historical fiction, you will want to add this one to your reading list.
August 25, 2025
This book was an instant 5 stars from me, with the characters and historic atmosphere capturing my interest within the first few chapters. A very character driven novel, each of them are well crafted, well-rounded and very well defined, giving a deep look into the mindset of people in this time frame and location, and how casual hatred and racist can cloud the views of people who consider themselves “good”.
The first moment little Monette is on the page, and her innocents and pure childish wonder is ripped away, left me gutted. Each page of her journey, and the growing trepidation for when she would be forced to realize that she was indeed viewed as “lesser” in this new home of hers, left me wanting nothing more than to grab that small child and protect her from that world. Her story is heartbreaking, and at so many moments I was left holding my breath, begging for her to stay safe and nervous of the danger that waited behind every opening door.
The moment Cyrus went into that shop, and never made it back home, left me truly heartbroken for a boy who the world failed. Their growing and maturing under the thumb of slavery was bitter, hallow, and the little sparks of brevity and joy brought a sense of hope to this world. Would have loved more from his story as he was older, but enjoyed every time he popped up
The depictions of William and Sara, the slave owning patriarch and matriarch of the family, as people who view themselves as good, loving, Christian folk who see nothing wrong with their enslavement of others provided a three-dimensional view of the white characters who could just as easily have been written as one-note and purely racist caricatures. At times the book lulls you in by their charming demeanor, only to abruptly remind you of the horrors that they perpetrate, and justify, on a day-to-day basis. The growing of the children in this environment, particularity Breck’s concerns about “all white boys become their fathers”, and Kate’s very casual acceptance of Monette going from friend to personal servant, provided interesting dynamics to their characters that kept them from becoming flat.
My one minor complaint was that I wasn’t too sure about the passage of time in some of the middle sections. It felt like more time had passed than it had, and at the same time there were moments where I’d missed that months had gone passed, thinking it only a few days. A rather minor nitpick to a book that I overall love and highly recommend to fans of historic fiction.
I am in desperate wait for more installment to this story. I am left gutted and craving more.
Honest review given in exchange for an ARC via NetGalley.
The first moment little Monette is on the page, and her innocents and pure childish wonder is ripped away, left me gutted. Each page of her journey, and the growing trepidation for when she would be forced to realize that she was indeed viewed as “lesser” in this new home of hers, left me wanting nothing more than to grab that small child and protect her from that world. Her story is heartbreaking, and at so many moments I was left holding my breath, begging for her to stay safe and nervous of the danger that waited behind every opening door.
The moment Cyrus went into that shop, and never made it back home, left me truly heartbroken for a boy who the world failed. Their growing and maturing under the thumb of slavery was bitter, hallow, and the little sparks of brevity and joy brought a sense of hope to this world. Would have loved more from his story as he was older, but enjoyed every time he popped up
The depictions of William and Sara, the slave owning patriarch and matriarch of the family, as people who view themselves as good, loving, Christian folk who see nothing wrong with their enslavement of others provided a three-dimensional view of the white characters who could just as easily have been written as one-note and purely racist caricatures. At times the book lulls you in by their charming demeanor, only to abruptly remind you of the horrors that they perpetrate, and justify, on a day-to-day basis. The growing of the children in this environment, particularity Breck’s concerns about “all white boys become their fathers”, and Kate’s very casual acceptance of Monette going from friend to personal servant, provided interesting dynamics to their characters that kept them from becoming flat.
My one minor complaint was that I wasn’t too sure about the passage of time in some of the middle sections. It felt like more time had passed than it had, and at the same time there were moments where I’d missed that months had gone passed, thinking it only a few days. A rather minor nitpick to a book that I overall love and highly recommend to fans of historic fiction.
I am in desperate wait for more installment to this story. I am left gutted and craving more.
Honest review given in exchange for an ARC via NetGalley.
July 29, 2025
I found this book to be wonderful. It's wonderfully written, and its characters are wonderfully developed. It's shockingly real, and it's ultimately tragic.
The story begins in 1842 when Monette's French Creole plantation owner father dies, and she is taken from the house to New Orleans to a slave auction. Prior to this, Monette, who is only 6 at the time, had lived a pampered life in the plantation mansion. Not only was she being raised by her white father and his servants, her mother (a slave) was not in her life. Being a beautiful mulatto child, she wasn't accepted by whites or by the slaves. After her father (who doted on her) died, she was looked at as an unnecessary expense.
From the same plantation that day, Cyrus, a big, strapping boy for his age, is taken from his mother, a field hand, and is also sent to auction. Cyrus and Monette bond, and he becomes very protective of her.
Both are purchased by the Jensey family, well to do cotton and later also sugar cane plantation owners. Monette is basically purchased at the request of Kate, the daughter, to be Kate's friend and play thing. Cyrus is purchased at the son's, Breck's, request, but he is to be a field hand.
As the eight years pass, we are shown so many devastating happenings - the turbulence of the country during this pre Civil war time; the hatred and white privilege of the deep South; and the yearning for freedom.
I felt the writing was exquisite and the feelings of smugness, cruelty, and degradation were all heartbreaking. It was, sadly, spot on of most in the antebellum South for the time.
If you love to read about our country's history and enjoy novels with many developed characters and an intricate plot, look for Fox Creek: A Novel that is hitting shelves Sept. 1st. It is an emotional ride that is well worth the read. Thank you, NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC, for the opportunity to read this engrossing ARC.
The story begins in 1842 when Monette's French Creole plantation owner father dies, and she is taken from the house to New Orleans to a slave auction. Prior to this, Monette, who is only 6 at the time, had lived a pampered life in the plantation mansion. Not only was she being raised by her white father and his servants, her mother (a slave) was not in her life. Being a beautiful mulatto child, she wasn't accepted by whites or by the slaves. After her father (who doted on her) died, she was looked at as an unnecessary expense.
From the same plantation that day, Cyrus, a big, strapping boy for his age, is taken from his mother, a field hand, and is also sent to auction. Cyrus and Monette bond, and he becomes very protective of her.
Both are purchased by the Jensey family, well to do cotton and later also sugar cane plantation owners. Monette is basically purchased at the request of Kate, the daughter, to be Kate's friend and play thing. Cyrus is purchased at the son's, Breck's, request, but he is to be a field hand.
As the eight years pass, we are shown so many devastating happenings - the turbulence of the country during this pre Civil war time; the hatred and white privilege of the deep South; and the yearning for freedom.
I felt the writing was exquisite and the feelings of smugness, cruelty, and degradation were all heartbreaking. It was, sadly, spot on of most in the antebellum South for the time.
If you love to read about our country's history and enjoy novels with many developed characters and an intricate plot, look for Fox Creek: A Novel that is hitting shelves Sept. 1st. It is an emotional ride that is well worth the read. Thank you, NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC, for the opportunity to read this engrossing ARC.
July 31, 2025
Fox Creek is a gripping story about race, privilege, class, trauma, and the weight of devastating experiences and emotions. It opens with Monette, a six-year-old girl born to a French Creole man and a Black woman (both now deceased), who is taken from her home following the death of her father, Papa Leon. At the same time, ten-year-old Cyrus is sold into slavery by his mother’s employer.
The contrast between the painful journeys of the Black characters and the seemingly normal lives of the white Jensey family—especially children like Breck and Kate—was striking and eye-opening. Torrey doesn't shy away from portraying the full humanity of both the enslaved and the enslavers, which made me reflect deeply. It's unsettling, for instance, to see how sincerely Sarah believed she was doing God’s work.
Torrey is an excellent writer. It's hard to believe this is her first adult novel. Her use of foreshadowing is masterful. The story is unputdownable — suspenseful, layered, reflective, and at times, deeply traumatic.
I found myself wondering whether the author is white or Black. The reason? Both the Black and white characters were rendered with such humanity, emotional clarity, and psychological realism. That kind of nuanced storytelling is rare.
As a writer, I was especially struck by the way Torrey crafted her villains. William, the plantation owner, isn’t a caricature of evil. Though his actions are undeniably harmful, his love for his wife Sarah and his children, Breck and Kate, makes him a complex and deeply human character. Torrey delivered a masterclass in how to portray morally ambiguous villains.
This book opened my eyes to new perspectives. It helped me see the realities of both the white man and the Black man—through their individual experiences and worldviews—and to ache for them both.
This story left a mark. Quiet, but lasting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing for the complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The contrast between the painful journeys of the Black characters and the seemingly normal lives of the white Jensey family—especially children like Breck and Kate—was striking and eye-opening. Torrey doesn't shy away from portraying the full humanity of both the enslaved and the enslavers, which made me reflect deeply. It's unsettling, for instance, to see how sincerely Sarah believed she was doing God’s work.
Torrey is an excellent writer. It's hard to believe this is her first adult novel. Her use of foreshadowing is masterful. The story is unputdownable — suspenseful, layered, reflective, and at times, deeply traumatic.
I found myself wondering whether the author is white or Black. The reason? Both the Black and white characters were rendered with such humanity, emotional clarity, and psychological realism. That kind of nuanced storytelling is rare.
As a writer, I was especially struck by the way Torrey crafted her villains. William, the plantation owner, isn’t a caricature of evil. Though his actions are undeniably harmful, his love for his wife Sarah and his children, Breck and Kate, makes him a complex and deeply human character. Torrey delivered a masterclass in how to portray morally ambiguous villains.
This book opened my eyes to new perspectives. It helped me see the realities of both the white man and the Black man—through their individual experiences and worldviews—and to ache for them both.
This story left a mark. Quiet, but lasting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing for the complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
July 30, 2025
Thank you Sly Fox LLC for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Fox Creek has all the ingredients for a gripping historical novel—slavery, survival, forbidden love, and the haunting legacy of race and privilege in 19th-century America. Unfortunately, the execution doesn't live up to the promise.
The story begins with emotional force: a young girl, Monette, is ripped from her privileged yet fragile life and sold into slavery alongside Cyrus, a boy equally traumatized by loss. But as the novel progresses, what could have been a deeply moving exploration of identity, resistance, and love becomes mired in uneven pacing, shallow character development, and a romanticized lens that often undermines the harsh realities it attempts to portray.
Monette’s internal struggle—her desire to belong in a world that rejects her—is compelling in theory but underexplored in practice. The narrative too often glosses over the brutality of slavery in favor of melodramatic relationships, particularly her entanglement with the planter’s family. Cyrus, initially introduced as an emotional anchor, is sidelined for much of the book, which weakens the emotional core that could have carried the story.
Historical context feels like a backdrop rather than an immersive setting, and while the novel claims to tackle race and privilege, it rarely pushes beyond surface-level commentary. The romantic subplot, which is supposed to be redemptive, leans toward implausibility and makes the ending feel unearned rather than cathartic.
Fox Creek had the potential to be powerful, but its lack of nuance and depth made it feel more like historical fiction lite. For readers looking for a hard-hitting, emotionally resonant portrayal of slavery and resilience, this one may fall short.
Fox Creek has all the ingredients for a gripping historical novel—slavery, survival, forbidden love, and the haunting legacy of race and privilege in 19th-century America. Unfortunately, the execution doesn't live up to the promise.
The story begins with emotional force: a young girl, Monette, is ripped from her privileged yet fragile life and sold into slavery alongside Cyrus, a boy equally traumatized by loss. But as the novel progresses, what could have been a deeply moving exploration of identity, resistance, and love becomes mired in uneven pacing, shallow character development, and a romanticized lens that often undermines the harsh realities it attempts to portray.
Monette’s internal struggle—her desire to belong in a world that rejects her—is compelling in theory but underexplored in practice. The narrative too often glosses over the brutality of slavery in favor of melodramatic relationships, particularly her entanglement with the planter’s family. Cyrus, initially introduced as an emotional anchor, is sidelined for much of the book, which weakens the emotional core that could have carried the story.
Historical context feels like a backdrop rather than an immersive setting, and while the novel claims to tackle race and privilege, it rarely pushes beyond surface-level commentary. The romantic subplot, which is supposed to be redemptive, leans toward implausibility and makes the ending feel unearned rather than cathartic.
Fox Creek had the potential to be powerful, but its lack of nuance and depth made it feel more like historical fiction lite. For readers looking for a hard-hitting, emotionally resonant portrayal of slavery and resilience, this one may fall short.
April 22, 2025
ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Sep 01 2025
Rating: 5/5
Knowing the author's previous writing experience I did not come into the novel with too high expectations. This was her first, adult content novel. After finishing I can't wait for her next one. This novel rivals the likes of Yellow Wife. I was pleasantly pleased.
Plot:
Starting in 1843, the story follows an interracial child as she moves from being the pampered daughter of a rich, sugar planter to a slave. While on route to auction, she is protected by a boy, Cyrus. They are purchased by the same family. He is sent to the fields, she becomes a playmate to a planter's daughter, not understanding yet how her life has changed. This story follows her and the lives of those around her as she struggles to find her place in the world. She is between two races and fits in neither.
Praise:
- plot and writing style
- descriptions of environment and characters were easy to picture
- perspectives of multiple characters; seeing things from both sides of the racial divide
- characters easily able to be liked or disliked
- pulls the reader along; limited doldrums
- stimulated emotions, showing connection with characters
- realistic scenarios
- premonitions which leave the reader pondering what they mean
- the ending, everything wasn't wrapped up in a bow; leaves the reader with questions and pondering
Critiques:
- scents were mentioned regularly and I was unsure why
Fav Quote:
“...wondering if life was simply a series of compromises. Dishonest compromises that presented to the world a face of honesty and integrity.”
Would I recommend it to a friend?
Absolutely!
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Sep 01 2025
Rating: 5/5
Knowing the author's previous writing experience I did not come into the novel with too high expectations. This was her first, adult content novel. After finishing I can't wait for her next one. This novel rivals the likes of Yellow Wife. I was pleasantly pleased.
Plot:
Starting in 1843, the story follows an interracial child as she moves from being the pampered daughter of a rich, sugar planter to a slave. While on route to auction, she is protected by a boy, Cyrus. They are purchased by the same family. He is sent to the fields, she becomes a playmate to a planter's daughter, not understanding yet how her life has changed. This story follows her and the lives of those around her as she struggles to find her place in the world. She is between two races and fits in neither.
Praise:
- plot and writing style
- descriptions of environment and characters were easy to picture
- perspectives of multiple characters; seeing things from both sides of the racial divide
- characters easily able to be liked or disliked
- pulls the reader along; limited doldrums
- stimulated emotions, showing connection with characters
- realistic scenarios
- premonitions which leave the reader pondering what they mean
- the ending, everything wasn't wrapped up in a bow; leaves the reader with questions and pondering
Critiques:
- scents were mentioned regularly and I was unsure why
Fav Quote:
“...wondering if life was simply a series of compromises. Dishonest compromises that presented to the world a face of honesty and integrity.”
Would I recommend it to a friend?
Absolutely!
Read
July 16, 2025“A rich, engrossing tale about the antebellum South that delivers indelible characters.” - Kirkus Reviews, starred
“. . . gorgeously written and emotionally harrowing . . .” - Jessica Fahey, San Francisco Book Review
“Torrey gives voice to the silenced, and she does it with compassion, skill, and a clear sense of moral responsibility.” - Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Book Review
“Riveting.” - Foreword Clarion Reviews
“Exceptional.” - Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review
“Torrey reconstructs the antebellum South with both archival precision and literary elegance.” - Faith Williams, Seattle Book Review
“A searing portrait of Antebellum life . . . “ - Kyle Eaton, San Diego Book Review
“. . . a sprawling novel . . . with moving humanity and depth.” - Blue Ink Review
“Torrey is a powerful writer . . . ” - Jo Niederhoff, Tulsa Book Review
“. . . I loved the deep lore in Fox Creek. The dialogue is catchy, the atmosphere thick with a sense of impending doom, and the characters unforgettable. You’ll turn the last page wanting more, despairing that it finished. Highly recommended.” – Madeeha, Book Nerdection, A “Nerdection Must Read” Selection
“I turned the last page with a lump in my throat and a renewed sense of reverence for the power of historical fiction to awaken both the heart and mind.” – Samantha Olsen, Manhattan Book Review
“An unforgettable book that will linger with the reader well after its conclusion.” – Philip Zozzaro, Portland Book Review
Winner, American Book Festival
Winner, San Francisco Book Fest
Winner, Pacific NW Writers Association Literary Contest
Finalist, Page Turner Awards
“. . . gorgeously written and emotionally harrowing . . .” - Jessica Fahey, San Francisco Book Review
“Torrey gives voice to the silenced, and she does it with compassion, skill, and a clear sense of moral responsibility.” - Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Book Review
“Riveting.” - Foreword Clarion Reviews
“Exceptional.” - Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review
“Torrey reconstructs the antebellum South with both archival precision and literary elegance.” - Faith Williams, Seattle Book Review
“A searing portrait of Antebellum life . . . “ - Kyle Eaton, San Diego Book Review
“. . . a sprawling novel . . . with moving humanity and depth.” - Blue Ink Review
“Torrey is a powerful writer . . . ” - Jo Niederhoff, Tulsa Book Review
“. . . I loved the deep lore in Fox Creek. The dialogue is catchy, the atmosphere thick with a sense of impending doom, and the characters unforgettable. You’ll turn the last page wanting more, despairing that it finished. Highly recommended.” – Madeeha, Book Nerdection, A “Nerdection Must Read” Selection
“I turned the last page with a lump in my throat and a renewed sense of reverence for the power of historical fiction to awaken both the heart and mind.” – Samantha Olsen, Manhattan Book Review
“An unforgettable book that will linger with the reader well after its conclusion.” – Philip Zozzaro, Portland Book Review
Winner, American Book Festival
Winner, San Francisco Book Fest
Winner, Pacific NW Writers Association Literary Contest
Finalist, Page Turner Awards
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews