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Our LITTLE Secret: A Smoky Mountains Family Saga and Coming of Age Story Inspired by True Crimes
"Captivating, suspenseful & raw. An accurate depiction of life during that time. Incredible!"When Danny Jackson says "the N-word" on his fifth birthday his grandmother tells him their family doesn't use that word, though he's learned it from his father. There's a mysterious grave in their woods, and all he's ever heard it called was "the N-word Grave." Thus begins a family saga and coming of age story as an Appalachian grandmother tries to change her family's trajectory regarding race relations.Danny and Martin Noble Peoples, a descendent of the murdered black man, team up to uncover the truth about what really happened to A. Noble Peoples. What they learn from Danny's grandmother is even more shocking than they anticipated.If you liked Scout Finch and Idgie Threadgoode you are going to love Laurel Mountain McLandon Jackson.Inspired by True Crimes. A black man was murdered in my hometown in the 1920s, and my Great-great-grandfather allowed him to be buried on our farm.How, why and from whom do we learn the things we learn and become the people we become? Laurel Mountain McLandon Jackson would say some of it is like hand-me-downs and heirlooms - we "come by it honest." And, is it possible to overcome a cruel, abusive rural Appalachian upbringing steeped in racism and help a black man solve the near-century old murder of the black man's Great-grandfather?Read the book. Answer the question. Join the conversation.
- GenresFiction
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2021
About the author
Stanford Johnson
9 books7 followersI'm a native East Tennessean and a highly-decorated, two-time honorably discharged former homeless Army veteran.
After serving one tour in Berlin as an enlisted U.S. Army Military Policeman, I fulfilled my commissioning requirements through ROTC at The University of North Georgia. I graduated with a B.S. in Multi-Discipline Social Sciences in 1990 and returned to active duty in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer.
I'm also a former United Methodist senior pastor and former TAC Officer at Valley Forge Military Academy.
I currently volunteer as a Mentor with Veterans Treatment Court, a Peer Recovery Specialist and Celebrate Recovery Inside Group Facilitator.
My favorite things to do are spend time with my son, Zachariah and his lovely girlfriend Vanessa, and hike in the mountains.
After serving one tour in Berlin as an enlisted U.S. Army Military Policeman, I fulfilled my commissioning requirements through ROTC at The University of North Georgia. I graduated with a B.S. in Multi-Discipline Social Sciences in 1990 and returned to active duty in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer.
I'm also a former United Methodist senior pastor and former TAC Officer at Valley Forge Military Academy.
I currently volunteer as a Mentor with Veterans Treatment Court, a Peer Recovery Specialist and Celebrate Recovery Inside Group Facilitator.
My favorite things to do are spend time with my son, Zachariah and his lovely girlfriend Vanessa, and hike in the mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 29, 2021
Stanford Johnson, in his debut novel, writes an interesting story of Appalachian culture and murder. The novel starts out with the narrator as a young boy, Danny who is emotionally and physically traumatized by his father who is a Vietnam veteran with PTSD, and a host of other mental and physical issues, including racism. The story begins in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and continues there on and off until an encounter with a young African American lawyer named Martin Peoples who is in the area looking for information about the death and burial of his great grandfather. Danny in hangover mode, remembers his grandmother's tales of this man and knows of his burial on his grandparent's property. The two become friends and the last half of the book entails the grandmother telling the story of Peoples' great grandfather to Daniel, other family members, and Martin and his grandfather Pleas.
The stories in this book are multi-layered; a story of the racism and issues of the father, the addiction of the narrator, the story of the grandmother's family, and People's great grandfather. There is a lot of not just Applachian colloquialisms but local ones as well. It is full of folklore, cultural norms of both the area and the time period. It abounds with characters, whose personalities are explored with depth. The one character who perhaps was the most central to the story was notably absent in much of the storytelling, that of the father of Daniel.
According to the author, this book is based on an actual murder, and the stories of racism and hate in the area both past and present are real. The father of young Daniel's character, he says is also based on a real person. If you enjoy local and regional history, murder and racial travesties from the south, and just good storytelling you will enjoy this book.
The stories in this book are multi-layered; a story of the racism and issues of the father, the addiction of the narrator, the story of the grandmother's family, and People's great grandfather. There is a lot of not just Applachian colloquialisms but local ones as well. It is full of folklore, cultural norms of both the area and the time period. It abounds with characters, whose personalities are explored with depth. The one character who perhaps was the most central to the story was notably absent in much of the storytelling, that of the father of Daniel.
According to the author, this book is based on an actual murder, and the stories of racism and hate in the area both past and present are real. The father of young Daniel's character, he says is also based on a real person. If you enjoy local and regional history, murder and racial travesties from the south, and just good storytelling you will enjoy this book.
October 20, 2022
A couple of months ago, I met Stan Johnson, the author of Our Little Secret, in Townsend, Tennessee. Stan's family roots in this quaint pocket of Tennessee stretch back further than the inception of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and that’s where this story begins.
I knew the book would be a page turner after reading the first sentence of the Prologue: “So far the most unfortunate date of my life was the day I was conceived, which I fought hard for decades to overcome.”
Our Little Secret is fictional, but “inspired by actual people, real places, and true crimes.” As I read, I couldn’t help but wonder if ghosts from the past were whispering in Stan’s ear as he wrote. The narrative he created around a mysterious grave on his family’s property is entirely believable, and Stan has an incredible talent for dialogue and storytelling. Having familiarity with the book's setting enriched the story even more for me, and I'm certain to reflect on it the next time I'm near Rich Mountain.
Our Little Secret also addresses past and current issues of racism in a respectful and honest manner. I was outraged by certain scenes and passages, but more importantly, I was inspired, too. A common thread running through this coming of age story is the notion that how we are raised and who raises us need not dictate who we become.
This would be a fantastic book to read in October, allowing the Smokies ghosts of a bygone era a chance to tell their powerful and important story.
I knew the book would be a page turner after reading the first sentence of the Prologue: “So far the most unfortunate date of my life was the day I was conceived, which I fought hard for decades to overcome.”
Our Little Secret is fictional, but “inspired by actual people, real places, and true crimes.” As I read, I couldn’t help but wonder if ghosts from the past were whispering in Stan’s ear as he wrote. The narrative he created around a mysterious grave on his family’s property is entirely believable, and Stan has an incredible talent for dialogue and storytelling. Having familiarity with the book's setting enriched the story even more for me, and I'm certain to reflect on it the next time I'm near Rich Mountain.
Our Little Secret also addresses past and current issues of racism in a respectful and honest manner. I was outraged by certain scenes and passages, but more importantly, I was inspired, too. A common thread running through this coming of age story is the notion that how we are raised and who raises us need not dictate who we become.
This would be a fantastic book to read in October, allowing the Smokies ghosts of a bygone era a chance to tell their powerful and important story.
July 23, 2023
Townsend, Tennessee, sounds like a friendly little Appalachian place. But back in the 1920’s, it was rough as a cob, with a mean streak of deep-rooted racial prejudice. In this context, a mysterious grave site was said to contain the remains of a black man, shot while playing cards—or murdered in hatred. This story centers on what really happened, and as secrets keep unfolding, we see how actions lead to final reconciliation. The language is Smokey-Mountain, Appalachian-authentic, and draws you in; the characters seem real, and the emotions still run high. Inspired by historical facts, Our Little Secret is a fine read!
March 16, 2022
I don't give 5-star reviews...however...
This is an excellent novel by a new novelist whom I met at a literary conference recently in Sevierville, Tennessee. This book is about prejudices and crime in Townsend, Tennessee. It is based on real events and deep-seated prejudice and the overcoming of the same in a man's life. A story of murder and addiction, a story of redemption. This is Appalachian writing at its very best. I give it 5 stars because it's at the level of Christy or To Kill a Mockingbird.
I'm not kidding. Get it, read it!
This is an excellent novel by a new novelist whom I met at a literary conference recently in Sevierville, Tennessee. This book is about prejudices and crime in Townsend, Tennessee. It is based on real events and deep-seated prejudice and the overcoming of the same in a man's life. A story of murder and addiction, a story of redemption. This is Appalachian writing at its very best. I give it 5 stars because it's at the level of Christy or To Kill a Mockingbird.
I'm not kidding. Get it, read it!
November 27, 2023
I was hooked from the first page to the last page. It is a book that is hard to put down. I loved the detail about the culture, the descriptions of the land, the wonderful development of the characters. It was interesting to watch Danny, one of the main characters go from being a struggling alcoholic to wholeness through the progression of the story. The issues of racism run through the story, and make the acceptance of the McLandon family all the more exceptional. This is a story worth reading, and one that shouldn’t be missed.
January 8, 2022
This book was hard to put down. It would be a terrific movie. Just when you think you know what's happened, you are thrown into another twist. The history of East Tennessee and the Great Smokie Mountains is intriguing. I live GSM history so this made me want more! Thanks Stanford Johnson for writing such an incredible page turner!
January 6, 2024
Like sittn’ on the porch…
This was like sitting on the porch of a cabin in the mountains listening to a storyteller. You heard the birds and the wind, felt the rain, and smelled the bacon and cornbread. I felt as though I was right there with Danny and Martin and all the others. Very richly written.
This was like sitting on the porch of a cabin in the mountains listening to a storyteller. You heard the birds and the wind, felt the rain, and smelled the bacon and cornbread. I felt as though I was right there with Danny and Martin and all the others. Very richly written.
March 18, 2024
I was expecting to have to work to get through this book so was very surprised that was not the case. It was very readable for me - perhaps because I have spent some time in the area where the story takes place? Believable.
September 18, 2022
Great read! Authentic dialogue and well-developed characters. Nice, tight wrap-up to finish it off. Loved it.
January 21, 2024
Interesting, well written story from the first line. I've met the author and congratulate him on this success. Hope to read more from him.
January 31, 2022
Very entertaining and well written book. Great stories within the story. Could relate to some of the characters who are similar to my older family members. Surprising ending. Definitely worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews