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Grainger County Tomatoes
Grainger County, Tennessee, 1951
A farmer suffers a fatal heart attack and collapses in his tomato fields. Weeks later, the unlikely heir to the farm begins to work the land and soon discovers holes being dug throughout the fields. Broken glass and tire tracks surround each excavation as does the mystery of what the culprits are searching for. Concern grows when someone breaks into the house in the middle of the night and the tomato fields are set ablaze.
While the heir to the farm believes that the threat is coming from disgruntled relatives who didn’t receive an inheritance, she couldn’t possibly know that the real threat is coming from a small house on the other side of town. What do they want? What are they looking for?
Destruction, mystery, and turmoil plague a family in a small town in 1951.
A farmer suffers a fatal heart attack and collapses in his tomato fields. Weeks later, the unlikely heir to the farm begins to work the land and soon discovers holes being dug throughout the fields. Broken glass and tire tracks surround each excavation as does the mystery of what the culprits are searching for. Concern grows when someone breaks into the house in the middle of the night and the tomato fields are set ablaze.
While the heir to the farm believes that the threat is coming from disgruntled relatives who didn’t receive an inheritance, she couldn’t possibly know that the real threat is coming from a small house on the other side of town. What do they want? What are they looking for?
Destruction, mystery, and turmoil plague a family in a small town in 1951.
Audible Audio
Published November 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 2, 2023
Grainger County borders my county, and its tomatoes are well-known in this area! I enjoyed the author’s research and inclusion of the science of tomato production! The number of tomato varieties surprised me.
A suspenseful plot unfolds as Elizabeth Campbell encounters attacks from multiple people who want her to fail. The ferocity of the final attack strikes unexpectedly.
Character development is a strength of Mr. Brown’s novel. Elizabeth Campbell, a heroic protagonist, displays determination to succeed against enormous odds. She approaches each man who helps or hinders her as her equal. Her integrity and candor are refreshing. She is never portrayed as a victim. In addition, Elizabeth’s commitment to pull Irving Washington from systemic poverty to landownership is one example of her inherent goodness.
Filled with adversity, the story has a hopeful message and a satisfying outcome!
A suspenseful plot unfolds as Elizabeth Campbell encounters attacks from multiple people who want her to fail. The ferocity of the final attack strikes unexpectedly.
Character development is a strength of Mr. Brown’s novel. Elizabeth Campbell, a heroic protagonist, displays determination to succeed against enormous odds. She approaches each man who helps or hinders her as her equal. Her integrity and candor are refreshing. She is never portrayed as a victim. In addition, Elizabeth’s commitment to pull Irving Washington from systemic poverty to landownership is one example of her inherent goodness.
Filled with adversity, the story has a hopeful message and a satisfying outcome!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2026
This was a great story. Unfortunately the audio version did not do it justice. It was a voice replica generated by AI. There were multiple instances of words being mispronounced in accordance with the context of how the word was used. (Example: tear as in crying and tear as in ripping). The transitions from one topic to another within a chapter were nonexistent making it hard to follow. Lastly, there was no inflection. It was as if a student was reading a report in front of a classroom. The story deserved better! Read the book on this one.
March 5, 2024
This book pulled me in from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the style of storytelling. One of the quotes on this book says it is "Cinematic" and that does describe the scenes in the book. The story is a bit slow and could have been told at a much faster pace with the same results, but that would have taken away from the dramatic feel of this novel. I will read more of Nick Allen Brown's books and I hope you will too.
April 15, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Generally I agree with everything Paula 7/2/23 wrote in her 4 star review. The negative for me is that every hardship - with the exception of sexual assault - affected the main character and was too much drama. And why was the several page inclusion of the Luke character needed? I love this author, though, and will be looking for more books. The Astronaut of Bear Creek is my favorite.
Generally I agree with everything Paula 7/2/23 wrote in her 4 star review. The negative for me is that every hardship - with the exception of sexual assault - affected the main character and was too much drama. And why was the several page inclusion of the Luke character needed? I love this author, though, and will be looking for more books. The Astronaut of Bear Creek is my favorite.
August 2, 2022
Simply loved this book. Even the mailman gets a shout-out in a story where every character matters.
December 24, 2023
enjoyable read, but the ending was a let down
June 28, 2023
3.5 Stars
Good enough story that kept me reading. Good, strong character development. Loved all of them. However, I kept waiting for a little excitement. I guess I need to be more in tune with farming and agriculture to fully appreciate this book.
Good enough story that kept me reading. Good, strong character development. Loved all of them. However, I kept waiting for a little excitement. I guess I need to be more in tune with farming and agriculture to fully appreciate this book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews