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The Tannery
"Far more than a legal thriller, though it is that . . . Some of this tale will sound disturbingly familiar to readers in the 21st Century, all the more reason to consider its lessons. History can come alive in a work of great fiction. This is one of those times." -Frye Gaillard, Civil Rights
Historian, Author of A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s
July 5, 1900, Wilkes County, North Carolina: The beautiful young daughter of tannery owner Jakob Schumann is found dead on the north bank of the Yadkin River, brutally beaten, a skinning knife in her chest.
Who killed Rachel Schumann? And why? Ambitious Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro has arrested Virgil Wade, a mixed-race boy, and is convinced the case is open and shut. But local lawyer Ben Waterman is not so sure. Ben's investigation uncovers evidence that undermines the prosecutor's case and points in an entirely different direction. But can he prove it? Can he convince an all-White, all-male jury of Virgil's innocence?
The Tannery transports readers to the turbulent world of the post-Reconstruction South. Reflecting issues prominent in today's headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, the violence and depravity of vigilante "justice," and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
Historian, Author of A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s
July 5, 1900, Wilkes County, North Carolina: The beautiful young daughter of tannery owner Jakob Schumann is found dead on the north bank of the Yadkin River, brutally beaten, a skinning knife in her chest.
Who killed Rachel Schumann? And why? Ambitious Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro has arrested Virgil Wade, a mixed-race boy, and is convinced the case is open and shut. But local lawyer Ben Waterman is not so sure. Ben's investigation uncovers evidence that undermines the prosecutor's case and points in an entirely different direction. But can he prove it? Can he convince an all-White, all-male jury of Virgil's innocence?
The Tannery transports readers to the turbulent world of the post-Reconstruction South. Reflecting issues prominent in today's headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, the violence and depravity of vigilante "justice," and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
338 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2021
20 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 21, 2021
Have you ever read a book, closed the cover, and said to yourself, “I hope this book becomes as popular as it deserves to be?” Friends, I will do my best to put my thoughts and feelings into words. But the takeaway is, this is a must read book.
The author whisks you away to 1900 North Carolina, where the young daughter of a successful tannery owner is found dead with a knife through her heart. The likely suspect, especially in the South at that time, was a young Black boy who seemed to fit the bill of the murderer. However, a young lawyer has a hunch that there’s more to the story than meets the eye and takes on the case.
Set up into two parts, The Murder and The Trial, the book takes you on a detailed journey, from how the families and officials involved became who they were in this town, to hidden relationships and political conversations behind closed doors.
I am taking a strong stand. This book blows books like “A Time to Kill” out of the water. It is not a play-by-play book where you read through a “he said, she said” story line. It’s a book that was intricately woven together through 14 years of research, the kind of book that you feel as if you are walking through live action scenes and listening in on conversations you shouldn’t be hearing.
If you love small town mysteries, crime podcasts, visiting another time through stories, books that are deeply character AND plot driven, Southern fiction, or are just looking for THAT book, THIS is that book. I will be recommending it to each and every friend that I can. You will not be disappointed! I hope to look forward to another book from this author.
The author whisks you away to 1900 North Carolina, where the young daughter of a successful tannery owner is found dead with a knife through her heart. The likely suspect, especially in the South at that time, was a young Black boy who seemed to fit the bill of the murderer. However, a young lawyer has a hunch that there’s more to the story than meets the eye and takes on the case.
Set up into two parts, The Murder and The Trial, the book takes you on a detailed journey, from how the families and officials involved became who they were in this town, to hidden relationships and political conversations behind closed doors.
I am taking a strong stand. This book blows books like “A Time to Kill” out of the water. It is not a play-by-play book where you read through a “he said, she said” story line. It’s a book that was intricately woven together through 14 years of research, the kind of book that you feel as if you are walking through live action scenes and listening in on conversations you shouldn’t be hearing.
If you love small town mysteries, crime podcasts, visiting another time through stories, books that are deeply character AND plot driven, Southern fiction, or are just looking for THAT book, THIS is that book. I will be recommending it to each and every friend that I can. You will not be disappointed! I hope to look forward to another book from this author.
April 24, 2022
Definitely a MUST READ for anyone living in the Carolinas! This NC author’s first book is set in Wilkesboro and Wilmington. If you like Grisham courtroom dramas, you will love love love this book. And, if you enjoy historic fiction, you will also love this book. Fantastic character development. You will feel connected to the main characters. If you think you will be able to figure out how the book concludes, you are mistaken. It will keep you guessing right until the last page, which means you won’t want to put it down. It’s a well constructed book and I look forward to more from this writer, Michael A. Almond.
October 17, 2021
In Wilkes County, North Caroline 1900, Virgil Wade a biracial teen is accused of murdering Rachel Schumann. Rachel is white and the daughter of a business man in the small town. The town is angry and demanding justice after finding this out. Ben Waterman defends Virgil at trial and also makes sure he is safe!
This story had a lot of big twists and turns that I honestly didn’t see coming! I thought the story was very well done and was much more than a legal thriller! I also enjoyed how well researched every historical aspect of this book was. This is one you definitely need to check out! A great thriller with so much history! This one hits the shelves October 19th!
This story had a lot of big twists and turns that I honestly didn’t see coming! I thought the story was very well done and was much more than a legal thriller! I also enjoyed how well researched every historical aspect of this book was. This is one you definitely need to check out! A great thriller with so much history! This one hits the shelves October 19th!
June 24, 2025
I bought this book on a whim at a second hand book fair and I’m so glad that I did.
This is a “who dunnit” wrapped in historical fiction that takes place towards the end of the Reconstruction Era in North Carolina.
This is a “who dunnit” wrapped in historical fiction that takes place towards the end of the Reconstruction Era in North Carolina.
August 26, 2025
Excellent book. Great story and well written.
December 21, 2023
An engrossing read with shades of To Kill A Mockingbird. Nice twist at the end a bit but developed characters and a look at justice in the South in early 1900s
October 3, 2022
"The Tannery" is both historical fiction and a mystery novel set in Wilkes County NC in 1900. The author takes pains to inform the reader what was going on in the state at the time; in fact, he has a character deliver a lecture on how the state fell victim to the Democratic "Redeemers" who ushered in an era of Jim Crow repression. Almond clearly sees parallels between that era and our own. Similar tools - the restriction of the franchise, changes in voting laws - were used then to bar African American voters from the polls and are being used now for similar ends.
Almond lives in Wilkesboro and has researched the area's history. To his and his editors' credit, I didn't stumble upon a single anachronism, misstatement or even a typo or grammatical error, a rarity these days.
The plot revolves around the brutal murder of the daughter of the owner of the tannery of the title and the subsequent trial of the young African American man falsely accused of the crime. The reader will probably figure out the identity of the real killer long before it is revealed in court. The real twist occurs when the defense team is conducting a post-mortem of the trial over dinner.
This is a first novel and does of course have its flaws - some of the dialogue doesn't quite flow in a natural manner and the prosecutor in the case is almost comically evil and outrageously blustery and threatening. Nevertheless, Almond succeeds in what he set out to do. The reader learns a lot about turn-of-the-century North Carolina and Wilkes County, is reminded of the danger of history repeating itself, and finally is caught up in wanting to know how Almond's story will resolve itself.
Almond lives in Wilkesboro and has researched the area's history. To his and his editors' credit, I didn't stumble upon a single anachronism, misstatement or even a typo or grammatical error, a rarity these days.
The plot revolves around the brutal murder of the daughter of the owner of the tannery of the title and the subsequent trial of the young African American man falsely accused of the crime. The reader will probably figure out the identity of the real killer long before it is revealed in court. The real twist occurs when the defense team is conducting a post-mortem of the trial over dinner.
This is a first novel and does of course have its flaws - some of the dialogue doesn't quite flow in a natural manner and the prosecutor in the case is almost comically evil and outrageously blustery and threatening. Nevertheless, Almond succeeds in what he set out to do. The reader learns a lot about turn-of-the-century North Carolina and Wilkes County, is reminded of the danger of history repeating itself, and finally is caught up in wanting to know how Almond's story will resolve itself.
November 2, 2021
In the year 1900, a teenager named Rebecca is found stabbed to death near a river. The town is in an uproar, especially when a young mixed-race male is arrested for her murder. This story follows the people of Wilkes County, NC, during a time of upheaval and general unrest after the Civil War. Many topics are relevant still today, such as racism against blacks, a general divide in people based on race, and voter injustice and intimidation.
I was intrigued from the beginning of this book. I enjoyed how the author went back and forth from different time periods in the late 1800s/ early 1900s to set the scene and introduce the characters. Readers are able to see how the main players in the story came to be in Wilkes County and how their families settled there. There are a lot of characters involved in the story, and it can be hard at times to keep up with them, but having the backstories helped me connect more.
I really liked Ben, the lawyer, who set out to defend Virgil, the boy accused of murder. He fought hard against a society who believed guilty due to race and not facts. This book takes place in the 1900s, but as I said before, it really deals with social issues of today’s world. I enjoyed this historical fiction, Murder mystery, courtroom drama and look forward to reading more by the author
April 13, 2022
July 5, 1900, Wilkes County, North Carolina: The beautiful young daughter of tannery owner Jakob Schumann is found dead on the north bank of the Yadkin River, brutally beaten, a skinning knife in her chest.
Who killed Rachel Schumann? And why? Ambitious Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro has arrested Virgil Wade, a mixed-race boy, and is convinced the case is open and shut. But local lawyer Ben Waterman is not so sure. Ben's investigation uncovers evidence that undermines the prosecutor's case and points in an entirely different direction. But can he prove it? Can he convince an all-White, all-male jury of Virgil's innocence?
The Tannery transports readers to the turbulent world of the post-Reconstruction South. Reflecting issues prominent in today's headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, the violence and depravity of vigilante "justice," and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
This is a gripping story with a direct view of the politics of 1900 and how they've changed (and haven't) throughout the past century.
Our women's group will be hosing a Zoom author's discussion with Michael. I'll be sure to update my review after hearing his insight into his plot and characters, and purpose for writing this story.
Who killed Rachel Schumann? And why? Ambitious Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro has arrested Virgil Wade, a mixed-race boy, and is convinced the case is open and shut. But local lawyer Ben Waterman is not so sure. Ben's investigation uncovers evidence that undermines the prosecutor's case and points in an entirely different direction. But can he prove it? Can he convince an all-White, all-male jury of Virgil's innocence?
The Tannery transports readers to the turbulent world of the post-Reconstruction South. Reflecting issues prominent in today's headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, the violence and depravity of vigilante "justice," and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
This is a gripping story with a direct view of the politics of 1900 and how they've changed (and haven't) throughout the past century.
Our women's group will be hosing a Zoom author's discussion with Michael. I'll be sure to update my review after hearing his insight into his plot and characters, and purpose for writing this story.
December 13, 2021
Within the first four chapters, Almond jumped around a LOT; it was confusing and annoying trying to keep people and places straight in my mind. But it all started to come together, make sense and once into the gist of the novel, got very intriguing.
The Tannery is a court room drama set in NC in the early 1900s. A mix raced boy is accused of brutally killing a young white girl. It seems like a cut and dried case with lots of evidence leading to the suspect, Virgil Wade, but developments change the perspective of the murder.
Although a little confusing in the beginning, Almond develops the story and the characters with ease. His use of dialogue moves the story along and keeps interest piqued.
It's hard not to read The Tannery and come to some conclusion of the similarities to To Kill A Mockingbird. I am an avid fan of TKAM, having read and reread it numerous times so the similarity to The Tannery were very outstanding to me. The introduction of new forensics and the twists and turns after the trail brings up lots of thought about the direction taken by Almond. Everything ties up neatly in the end with a few things being predictable and a few things being a bit of a surprise.
I liked the book but didn't love it.
The Tannery is a court room drama set in NC in the early 1900s. A mix raced boy is accused of brutally killing a young white girl. It seems like a cut and dried case with lots of evidence leading to the suspect, Virgil Wade, but developments change the perspective of the murder.
Although a little confusing in the beginning, Almond develops the story and the characters with ease. His use of dialogue moves the story along and keeps interest piqued.
It's hard not to read The Tannery and come to some conclusion of the similarities to To Kill A Mockingbird. I am an avid fan of TKAM, having read and reread it numerous times so the similarity to The Tannery were very outstanding to me. The introduction of new forensics and the twists and turns after the trail brings up lots of thought about the direction taken by Almond. Everything ties up neatly in the end with a few things being predictable and a few things being a bit of a surprise.
I liked the book but didn't love it.
February 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I was a little hesitant at first, a lot of "local" stories aren't that well thought out, but this one was very enjoyable. I learned a few historical things about NC, which I've called home for the last 25+ years. Wilkesboro is a town I travel through multiple times a year, so I was intrigued when this book came up on my radar. I felt it was engaging the entire time, never did I feel bored or want the author to "get on with it" as I often do. Through much of the dialogue, I envisioned what this story would like as an older film or even a radio show, so perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much. It's a murder mystery and while I was given hints and thought about these hints along the way, I was so engrossed in the main story, that when the revelations came at the end, I was pleasantly surprised. The author lives somewhere in the Blue Ridge and I hope he continues to write historical fiction about our beautiful area that I call home.
October 18, 2021
At first I struggled a bit to get into the story and the characters. In fact, I kind of read in a daze the first half of this book. Yet, the second half where Ben was trying to piece together what really happened involving Virgil held my attention.
There is the battle of wits between Vincent and Ben. Both had some tricks up their sleeves. I really felt for Virgil. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. Thus as the story went along and I saw how it all played out for Virgil; let's say that there is no "real" winner when it came to justice.
This book is in the vein of To Kill a Mockingbird. Which, I do believe this book will hold up the test of time like Mockingbird. It is hard to believe that this is Mr. Almond's debut novel as it reads like the author's fourth or fifth novel. I look forward to seeing what Mr. Almond comes out with next.
There is the battle of wits between Vincent and Ben. Both had some tricks up their sleeves. I really felt for Virgil. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. Thus as the story went along and I saw how it all played out for Virgil; let's say that there is no "real" winner when it came to justice.
This book is in the vein of To Kill a Mockingbird. Which, I do believe this book will hold up the test of time like Mockingbird. It is hard to believe that this is Mr. Almond's debut novel as it reads like the author's fourth or fifth novel. I look forward to seeing what Mr. Almond comes out with next.
May 21, 2022
Have you ever read a book, closed the cover, and said to yourself, “I hope this book becomes as popular as it deserves to be?”
The Tannery is historical fiction at its best, a murder mystery and legal thriller whose twists and turns will hold readers’ attention to the final page. Meticulously researched, this page-turning debut novel transports readers to another time and place, the story unfolding in the turbulent world of Post-Reconstruction social, political, and racial conditions in North Carolina and throughout the South. Reflecting issues prominent in today’s headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, White Supremacy campaigns, the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, the violence and depravity of the Red Shirts and vigilante terrorism, and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
The Tannery is historical fiction at its best, a murder mystery and legal thriller whose twists and turns will hold readers’ attention to the final page. Meticulously researched, this page-turning debut novel transports readers to another time and place, the story unfolding in the turbulent world of Post-Reconstruction social, political, and racial conditions in North Carolina and throughout the South. Reflecting issues prominent in today’s headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, White Supremacy campaigns, the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, the violence and depravity of the Red Shirts and vigilante terrorism, and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.
July 7, 2022
Yes, the beginning drags on with setting up genealogy and family dynamics. Yes, there are numerous characters to keep straight, and yes, there is a lot of the typical stereotypical southern personas, that are highly reminiscent of other southern literary works. But, the trial was excellent, well-paced, and crescendoed at the right time. The author's courtroom background was evident in the building of the case and the inner workings of the judicial system. But, the after the trail and conclusion just sort of dropped off abruptly. It just didn't have a satisfying end. Without giving away spoilers, it felt like the author had a great burst of steam telling the story then just ran out of juice so...The End. I feel he's got a knack for this type of book and will only get better with every new project.
October 16, 2021
“Far more than a legal thriller” is right!
When Virgil Wade, a biracial teen is accused of murdering Rachel Schumann, a white girl, and daughter of a respected businessman in Wilkes County North Carolina in 1900, the town is outraged. They are demanding vigilante justice.
Ben Waterman steps up to first make sure Virgil is safe from the townsfolk and then to defend him at trial.
There were some big twists and turns in this story that I did not see coming. And the historical part was very well researched. I loved how the author provided historical notes at the end so the reader could see exactly which parts were historically accurate.
Thank you to UpLit Reads for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
When Virgil Wade, a biracial teen is accused of murdering Rachel Schumann, a white girl, and daughter of a respected businessman in Wilkes County North Carolina in 1900, the town is outraged. They are demanding vigilante justice.
Ben Waterman steps up to first make sure Virgil is safe from the townsfolk and then to defend him at trial.
There were some big twists and turns in this story that I did not see coming. And the historical part was very well researched. I loved how the author provided historical notes at the end so the reader could see exactly which parts were historically accurate.
Thank you to UpLit Reads for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2022
North Carolina author, Almond, has produced a pretty good book and I look forward to him refining his technique in future offerings. The Tannery has numerous parallels to To Kill a Mockingbird. A teenage mixed race boy accused of murdering a white girl from a prominent family in a small NC town in 1900. The lawyer who defends him, the Klan and all of the expected racial tensions drive this legal thriller. Almond spends a good deal of the beginning of the novel giving detailed backstories of all of the main characters. This bogged things down with the jumping around. Sometimes the "golly gee" dialogue was a bit overdone.
October 19, 2021
The first third was a bit slow for me as there was a lot of back and forth and history explanations that were a tad boring and hard to get through. After that, the story really picked up and kept you guessing until the very end. I’m always up for a good murder investigation so I was really trying to piece everything together myself but I must say a couple things I didn’t see coming.
This ended up being a quick read for the last half of the book wanting to find out the truth and I’m glad I kept pushing on!
This ended up being a quick read for the last half of the book wanting to find out the truth and I’m glad I kept pushing on!
October 30, 2021
This book started out slow in the first quarter. It was also confusing because there were so many names. But once the murder occurred, the action picks up with the investigation and trial! That part of the book was really good and interesting. Being a fan of law/investigation shows, I loved seeing the use of forensic science in this time period. It shows how far we’ve come in some respects and in others how far we still have to go!
Thanks to Uplit Reads for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Uplit Reads for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
December 27, 2021
I found this book entertaining but as the plot unfolded I could not help but feel the story of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. There were some interesting twists such as the introduction of the Jewish immigrants but the ending only confirmed my feelings about the similarities to Harper Lee’s classic. The local North Carolina color stories were interesting.
If you want a non fiction account of the Klan read ‘The Devil’s Walking’ by Stanley Nelson. His riveting and disturbing
Stories of Klan murders in the 60’s comes from his investigative reporting in Feriday, LA for The Concordia Sentinel
If you want a non fiction account of the Klan read ‘The Devil’s Walking’ by Stanley Nelson. His riveting and disturbing
Stories of Klan murders in the 60’s comes from his investigative reporting in Feriday, LA for The Concordia Sentinel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
This was our first book club selection for this year and it was a good one. I love that it was a first-time author from NC and that it was set in NC. It was an interesting plot that kept you reading. Some people were bothered by the onslaught of character names in the first few chapters, but as someone who finds names interesting, I loved that. I sure hadn't figured out the true killer and had never thought about how much fingerprinting would affect trials and how it was pooh-pooed at first, like many important inventions.
December 19, 2021
This was a great story. It felt more like a journalist wrote it than a novelist, but the plot itself was captivating. It had some “To Kill a Mockingbird” vibes to it, and I was anticipating how Ben would exonerate his client. As a North Carolinian myself, I found the local settings and references to real historical events fascinating. Definitely worth reading if you like books about crime and injustice.
May 27, 2022
4.5
In July of 1900, Rachel Schumman is found dead and the suspected killer, Virgil Wade, is a target of racial injustice. Lawyer Ben Waterman is determined to represent Virgil in a fair trial in the turbulent North Carolina town.
While I struggled in the beginning to keep the characters straight in the different time frames, what followed was a well researched and well developed murder mystery taking place in Wilkesboro that really got quite good once the trial began.
In July of 1900, Rachel Schumman is found dead and the suspected killer, Virgil Wade, is a target of racial injustice. Lawyer Ben Waterman is determined to represent Virgil in a fair trial in the turbulent North Carolina town.
While I struggled in the beginning to keep the characters straight in the different time frames, what followed was a well researched and well developed murder mystery taking place in Wilkesboro that really got quite good once the trial began.
June 6, 2022
Enjoyed this historical fiction novel. Set in Wilkes County in North Carolina circa 1900. It is an intriguing legal thriller but more, some romance, a lot of social issues, and a quest for justice. Interesting history and historical context as American industry expands. Excellent character development with believable, compelling scenarios. Kudos to Mr. Almond - he has captured the question that racial issues in the South possibly haven't changed as much as you'd think over the last 100+ years.
October 4, 2023
This book is incredible. I tend to approach everything with a healthy dose of skepticism, and this book was no exception. I obtained this book from an event with the author, and it sat on my shelf for a long long time until I read it and once I started I could not put it down. Highly highly recommend, especially if you’ve lived/visited Carolinas or have an interest in historical fiction. Very good and easy to follow writing.
October 27, 2021
You know you’ve read a good book when you finish it, close the cover, and feel you’ve said good bye to a dear friend. Awash with rich character development, historical details and a riveting plot, I simply didn’t want it to end, yet desperately needed to see how it ended. A debut novel? Naarh! Will be a hard first act to follow. This is my next bookclub read!
March 26, 2022
If we are judging books by their cover I would fail immensely at what I thought this book was about. What a great story with twists I did see coming and some I did not. It is interesting as a point in time that I know little of, but heartbreakingly familiar when it comes to how we treat others. Good read- looking forward to the book discussion.
June 17, 2023
It took a while to get into because the setting and writing style were a little unique. And it took a second to pick up on the story. But once it got rolling and especially about halfway in, it was a good read. Very thought provoking historical fiction with a few plot twists. The ending happened very suddenly though, almost rushed.
August 7, 2024
This book took me a month to read instead of a few days. I couldn’t get into it until about 2/3 of the way. It was slow and boring. Eventually I got interested, but the ending was sad and frustrating and painful. Not my type of book and hard to read, which is not my style but one that can’t be ignored.
November 16, 2021
Review
I had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Michael A. Almond describe his book, I then decided to read it. I must say i had a very hard time putting it down, it was great. I can only hope Michael Almond will be writing more.
I had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Michael A. Almond describe his book, I then decided to read it. I must say i had a very hard time putting it down, it was great. I can only hope Michael Almond will be writing more.
November 19, 2021
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It started out a bit slow as the characters were built upon and history was told. Once the story got going, it had twists and unexpected turns. Just a wonderfully written book. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews