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Copperhead Road
1920. Life was simple for Billy Bronson. Living in the country outside of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, he and his father Frank were secluded and happily reclusive. Fishing, hunting, and farming were enough to keep Billy satisfied. That is until a hideous man named Clayton and his young partner murdered his father and torched his home to the dirt over a territorial moonshining dispute. Capone isn’t a name the folks fear. It’s Sinclair. After the prohibition, under the roof of his neighbors, the Campbell's, Billy works almost hard enough to forget. But when Frank Bronson’s killer stops at their farm in need of gas, Billy must face his harrowing past. With his identity unknown to the entire Sinclair organization, he investigates their illegal operations with hopes of finding his way to the man they call Sinclair and the truths he holds. Revenge might be just down the road. Question is, where is this road?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
263 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2018
64 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Enns
7 books18 followersBrandon grew up in Carrot River, Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014 and worked in sales for the next four years. During that time he wrote several screenplays and storytelling soon became his greatest passion. He left his job as a financial advisor to pursue writing novels full time.
Brandon enjoys writing thrillers, mysteries, and dramas. Though they aren't all set in Saskatchewan, many of his novels are inspired by the small-town, prairie landscape (and miserably cold winters). When he isn't writing, he is playing sports, watching movies, or daydreaming about the next story to write. Brandon now lives in Melfort, Saskatchewan where he also works for his family business, A & K Enns Trucking.
Brandon enjoys writing thrillers, mysteries, and dramas. Though they aren't all set in Saskatchewan, many of his novels are inspired by the small-town, prairie landscape (and miserably cold winters). When he isn't writing, he is playing sports, watching movies, or daydreaming about the next story to write. Brandon now lives in Melfort, Saskatchewan where he also works for his family business, A & K Enns Trucking.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2019
Copperhead Road is based in Saskatchewan during the 1920s. Where moonshine was highly illegal but was an operation that helped many survive the hard times. Unfortunately for Billy Bronson, it ends with his father murdered! Copperhead Road follows Billy over the years, while he is living with his neighbors, the Campbell's. Until his father's murder stumbles upon the farm, and all hell breaks loose!
I loved this book! Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Brandon Enns did justice with this book. There was never a part that got boring, or felt rushed. With Billy having to face his past, he sets himself about to getting information and revenge. I felt myself cheering for Billy, seeking his vengeance. I loved the relationships that were built between him and the Campbell's and how he found a love interest. You get a little bit of everything from murder, resilience, faith, revenge, hope, and FAMILY! Would definitely recommend this book!
I loved this book! Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Brandon Enns did justice with this book. There was never a part that got boring, or felt rushed. With Billy having to face his past, he sets himself about to getting information and revenge. I felt myself cheering for Billy, seeking his vengeance. I loved the relationships that were built between him and the Campbell's and how he found a love interest. You get a little bit of everything from murder, resilience, faith, revenge, hope, and FAMILY! Would definitely recommend this book!
May 4, 2020
Best 1920s Prohibition story
One of my favorite shows is Boardwalk Empire, similar storyline with a John Grisham Painted house twist. Very good story I loved it.
One of my favorite shows is Boardwalk Empire, similar storyline with a John Grisham Painted house twist. Very good story I loved it.
May 8, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book.Seeing as it was set in Saskatchewan it was pretty cool to be able to recognise the town/city names and know where there are and have visited them. It grips you and tugs you into the story right away. Stay up all night kind of read.
November 10, 2018
Saskatchewan in the 1920s was well known for it's moonshining during prohibition. So much so, that the small town of Moose Jaw was known as "Little Chicago" and was famous for allegedly being the second home of Al Capone. This sets the scene in Brandon Enns' 3rd novel, "Copperhead Road", a thrilling tale of revenge and romance.
The story follows young Billy Bronson growing up with his father who is part of the moonshining business. Life is quiet until one day he is killed by a terrible man named Clayton and his young associate Jeremy, who is part of a larger operation ran by Mason Sinclair. With Billy's father and homestead gone, he is taken in by Peter and Martha, a couple that lived down the road from them. Billy's life stays quiet living on the farm, until his past catches up to him and he finds himself drawn to the "wheelings and dealings" on Copperhead Road to get revenge for his fathers death.
Enns' enjoyable writing style continues, much like his previous two novels: Loss of the Decade and The Night is Cold. His expert storytelling ability allows you to be submerged in the beautiful set pieces of the novel. Most of the time, I felt like I was standing right beside Billy, watching him as the story progresses and feeling every emotion as he does. The imagination that supplies the story transports you to the golden prairies of Saskatchewan. You can picture the acres and acres of crops in the summer and feel the cold, brutal wind in the winter. Enns writing is so detailed that there were often times where I would feel squeamish over the injuries that the characters sustain as if it happened to me. The author also doesn't spend much time away from the suspense and action of the story, keeping you submerged in the novel, turning page after page wondering what excitement is going to happen next.
You really grow attached to the different characters throughout the story as you see them grow and develop. Two characters that I really found myself being drawn to were Martha and Ilene.
I was drawn to Martha because I saw similarities between Martha and my mom, a hardworking, caring woman who's not afraid to speak her mind or protect her own. Also, the tragic events of her past made me sympathize with her more and made me want to root for her more. Plus she is a total badass, easily the most intimidating character in the story. She is a woman that I would love to spend time with, but also wouldn't want to piss off.
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum is Ilene, the young, crippled love interest of Billy. Now even though this is considered a thriller and a mystery story, it can also be considered a romance novel as well. Much of the story is spent following how Billy and Ilene fall in love, which I believe is not only a good way to show what kind of man and character Billy has, but has a important message for society today. Too many times in today's world, we look at the faults of other people, and cast them aside without seeing the true beauty underneath or allowing others to show that they are truly capable of great things. Ilene is exactly that, a headstrong character that doesn't allow her disability to define her. She realizes the challenges that she has to face everyday and she accepts them. Without her, the story would feel incomplete.
A character that I wish the story had spent more time focusing on was Jeremy, the young boy on the Sinclair side. I feel there are many questions left unanswered about this character and I believe there could have been an opportunity to look inside Jeremy's mind from the first day he met Billy and his father with Clayton and go through this thoughts and emotions since.
Overall "Copperhead Road" is a story that all suspense- and thrill-seekers can enjoy as well as any that prefer romance. Enns continues to prove that he is one of the bright, up and coming Canadian writers with every novel that he releases. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to his next release.
The story follows young Billy Bronson growing up with his father who is part of the moonshining business. Life is quiet until one day he is killed by a terrible man named Clayton and his young associate Jeremy, who is part of a larger operation ran by Mason Sinclair. With Billy's father and homestead gone, he is taken in by Peter and Martha, a couple that lived down the road from them. Billy's life stays quiet living on the farm, until his past catches up to him and he finds himself drawn to the "wheelings and dealings" on Copperhead Road to get revenge for his fathers death.
Enns' enjoyable writing style continues, much like his previous two novels: Loss of the Decade and The Night is Cold. His expert storytelling ability allows you to be submerged in the beautiful set pieces of the novel. Most of the time, I felt like I was standing right beside Billy, watching him as the story progresses and feeling every emotion as he does. The imagination that supplies the story transports you to the golden prairies of Saskatchewan. You can picture the acres and acres of crops in the summer and feel the cold, brutal wind in the winter. Enns writing is so detailed that there were often times where I would feel squeamish over the injuries that the characters sustain as if it happened to me. The author also doesn't spend much time away from the suspense and action of the story, keeping you submerged in the novel, turning page after page wondering what excitement is going to happen next.
You really grow attached to the different characters throughout the story as you see them grow and develop. Two characters that I really found myself being drawn to were Martha and Ilene.
I was drawn to Martha because I saw similarities between Martha and my mom, a hardworking, caring woman who's not afraid to speak her mind or protect her own. Also, the tragic events of her past made me sympathize with her more and made me want to root for her more. Plus she is a total badass, easily the most intimidating character in the story. She is a woman that I would love to spend time with, but also wouldn't want to piss off.
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum is Ilene, the young, crippled love interest of Billy. Now even though this is considered a thriller and a mystery story, it can also be considered a romance novel as well. Much of the story is spent following how Billy and Ilene fall in love, which I believe is not only a good way to show what kind of man and character Billy has, but has a important message for society today. Too many times in today's world, we look at the faults of other people, and cast them aside without seeing the true beauty underneath or allowing others to show that they are truly capable of great things. Ilene is exactly that, a headstrong character that doesn't allow her disability to define her. She realizes the challenges that she has to face everyday and she accepts them. Without her, the story would feel incomplete.
A character that I wish the story had spent more time focusing on was Jeremy, the young boy on the Sinclair side. I feel there are many questions left unanswered about this character and I believe there could have been an opportunity to look inside Jeremy's mind from the first day he met Billy and his father with Clayton and go through this thoughts and emotions since.
Overall "Copperhead Road" is a story that all suspense- and thrill-seekers can enjoy as well as any that prefer romance. Enns continues to prove that he is one of the bright, up and coming Canadian writers with every novel that he releases. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to his next release.
December 12, 2022
MY MEMORY IS ADVOIDED
A VERY GOOD STORY. MY MEMORIES ARE VERY SIMILAR, BUT NOT THE SAME. SHOOK ME UP, AS THE MOUNTAIN I LOOKED DOWN UPON LAID OLD WIRE ROAD, THE OLD IRON BRIDGE. IT'S THE TIME OF DAY FOR A FIVE YEAR OLD TO TAKE THE FIVE GALLON WATER JUG, MY DOG AND BARE FEET TO THE SPRING WHERE I GENTLY PUSHED THE HEAVY GLASS SLOWLY CLEARING THE WATER-CRESS, THE HEMP ROPE STAINED FROM DIRT AND MULE SWEAT, BLISTERS AND BLOOD FROM SCALDING HOGS ON A HARD FREEZE CLEAR DAY, SEASONING HAMS, WEARING THE SKIN WITH SUGAR, PEPPER, SALT AND SUCH, CHOPPING WOOD STACKED NEXT TO THE ANGLED BARRELS, SCRAPING HAIR FROM A HOT STEAMING SOW, NO MORE LITTERS TO BE BORN OF HER. YES MY MEMORY IS AVOIDED BY MUCH.
THIS STORY REALLY HIT MY SOUL. MY INTEREST IS SO INTENSE THAT I WANT TO PICK THE BOOK UP AND TURN TO THE FIRST PAGE, AND. BEGIN READING AGAIN. THE DESCRIPTIONS , THE CLARITY CAME TO MY MIND WITH MUCH BOUNTY.
MY MEMORIES HIT SURFACE AS THIS STORY TOOK ME BACK TO MY YOUTH.
WELL DONE.
A VERY GOOD STORY. MY MEMORIES ARE VERY SIMILAR, BUT NOT THE SAME. SHOOK ME UP, AS THE MOUNTAIN I LOOKED DOWN UPON LAID OLD WIRE ROAD, THE OLD IRON BRIDGE. IT'S THE TIME OF DAY FOR A FIVE YEAR OLD TO TAKE THE FIVE GALLON WATER JUG, MY DOG AND BARE FEET TO THE SPRING WHERE I GENTLY PUSHED THE HEAVY GLASS SLOWLY CLEARING THE WATER-CRESS, THE HEMP ROPE STAINED FROM DIRT AND MULE SWEAT, BLISTERS AND BLOOD FROM SCALDING HOGS ON A HARD FREEZE CLEAR DAY, SEASONING HAMS, WEARING THE SKIN WITH SUGAR, PEPPER, SALT AND SUCH, CHOPPING WOOD STACKED NEXT TO THE ANGLED BARRELS, SCRAPING HAIR FROM A HOT STEAMING SOW, NO MORE LITTERS TO BE BORN OF HER. YES MY MEMORY IS AVOIDED BY MUCH.
THIS STORY REALLY HIT MY SOUL. MY INTEREST IS SO INTENSE THAT I WANT TO PICK THE BOOK UP AND TURN TO THE FIRST PAGE, AND. BEGIN READING AGAIN. THE DESCRIPTIONS , THE CLARITY CAME TO MY MIND WITH MUCH BOUNTY.
MY MEMORIES HIT SURFACE AS THIS STORY TOOK ME BACK TO MY YOUTH.
WELL DONE.
November 18, 2018
Enns has written a novel filled with many exciting twists and turns. The protagonist finds himself in a series of difficult situations all while trying to do the right thing for himself and his loved ones. I enjoyed the suspense created by Enns; in one section I couldn't stop reading as I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I found myself reading with anticipation to find out what would happen next in the life of the protagonist throughout the entirety of the novel. Enns has developed the main characters well, while keeping the minor characters in focus but not stealing the show. Overall, a good read.
Read
March 27, 2020As a child I spent much time on the family farm with my pellet gun walking the lane of pine trees looking for magpies to shoot. My dad disliked these birds as they shooed other prettier birds away. This novel brought me back to those days! Enns does a incredible job painting the story with his words. As I delved into this novel I found myself at the mid point of unstoppable reading! I felt the need to keep reading as I was caught up in where Enns was going with the story! Fantastic Job. Looking forward to reading the next novel from Mr. Enns!!!
April 16, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down- it reminded me of the Tunnels of Time and Tunnels of Terror series we were assigned to read in elementary school. Except this is the adult version with some different twists. The descriptions of the time the book took place in really made me feel like I was there. The characters were ordinary people so you were able to really immerse yourself in it- especially since I did grow up on a farm. I hated the cat part but it also was a great scene to show the different sides to a certain character.
Read
March 26, 2020Extremely tasteful. Written in a manner that perfectly depicts the timeframe and demographic it is meant to represent. A rich, wholesome and fulfilling plot. I felt as though the author wrote from the soul in this novel. A very compelling read, I would recommend to anyone seeking some rainy day reading material.
October 24, 2018
Just finished reading this book. I found it quite the "page turner". Was easy to follow the plot and characters. There was lots of action and some surprising twists and turns. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks Brandon Enns.
November 23, 2018
Loved this book, very discriptive throughout the book about the characters. I really liked where the book was located. I would definately recommend to anyone. It would suit any taste in readers.
June 30, 2022
North of the border.
This is a story about a boy who is young having a hard time coping with life.
A good story with a perfect ending for him and Ilene. Thank You.
This is a story about a boy who is young having a hard time coping with life.
A good story with a perfect ending for him and Ilene. Thank You.
October 19, 2024
What a page turner, and an exciting adventure. All the stuff a Western is all about, and quite believable at the same time. I'll read it again and maybe get more in the series sometime soon.
January 12, 2023
It was a nice story. However, somethings needed clarification such as: When we meet Billy, it is the day before his tenth birthday. Billy is a reader who didn’t have a mother, didn’t go to school, and worked all day. How did he learn to read? In chapter 21, Billy and Ilene are having ice cream. Ilene has strawberry and Billy has COOKIE DOUGH which originated in 1984 and this story takes place in the 1920’s. The ice cream is not a big thing BUT someone should have fact checked it. As soon as I read it, I knew it couldn’t be.
April 20, 2021
One of my Top 1-3 books halfway through 2020. Maybe all time. It's rare to find a gem like this! I highly recommend. Made me forget I am still quaranteening for 2 lovely evenings!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews