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Rum Row: A Prequel Novella
It’s 1924 and Rhode Island is Dry. And hating it.Prohibition was never popular in the state that refused to ratify the 18th Amendment banning the sale and use of alcoholic beverages. As the Ocean State, lots of Rhode Islanders found work as rum runners. Especially shuttles out to ‘Rum Row,’ a flotilla of boats loaded with booze sitting at anchor in international waters, just outside the three-mile boundary limit.
John Edward Haddock is a merchant mariner in the town of Little Penwick who is offered a cool grand to take the Black Duck, the fastest motor vessel in Narragansett Bay, out to Rum Row just before New Year’s Eve. The Duck, upgraded with surplus WWI aircraft engines, is even faster than the Coast Guard cutters patrolling the coastline.
John Edward knows it’s wrong, and he’s loathe to get involved with the criminal element, like Boston’s notorious Charles ‘King’ Solomon … but he could use the money. To start building the house of his dreams, and to propose to the girl of his Vollie Jeffords.
Rum Row is the novella that tells the story of that dramatic nighttime voyage. And it’s a prequel to the Swamp Yankee Mystery series by award-winning author James Y. Bartlett.
John Edward Haddock is a merchant mariner in the town of Little Penwick who is offered a cool grand to take the Black Duck, the fastest motor vessel in Narragansett Bay, out to Rum Row just before New Year’s Eve. The Duck, upgraded with surplus WWI aircraft engines, is even faster than the Coast Guard cutters patrolling the coastline.
John Edward knows it’s wrong, and he’s loathe to get involved with the criminal element, like Boston’s notorious Charles ‘King’ Solomon … but he could use the money. To start building the house of his dreams, and to propose to the girl of his Vollie Jeffords.
Rum Row is the novella that tells the story of that dramatic nighttime voyage. And it’s a prequel to the Swamp Yankee Mystery series by award-winning author James Y. Bartlett.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 20, 2023
Young sailor breaks the law during prohibition - 4 stars
John Edward Haddock learned the trade of seamanship during the first world war. Five years later, prohibition was driving Americans thirsty. Boats were anchored just outside the international boundary. Captains were needed to transfer booze to the mainland.
John Edward was coaxed by the offer of $1000 to consider using his skills, someone else's boat and his availability into breaking the law. In those times, a half year's wages could buy many things.
John Edward seemed naive but smart. He could think on his feet. The novella showed the 1920s without gloss as a 25-year-old might view things -- getting ready to ask a girl for her hand in marriage and settle down.
Without giving the story away, let's just say that it was a dark and stormy night and John Edward was a keen observer of men and weather. I enjoyed this short book!
John Edward Haddock learned the trade of seamanship during the first world war. Five years later, prohibition was driving Americans thirsty. Boats were anchored just outside the international boundary. Captains were needed to transfer booze to the mainland.
John Edward was coaxed by the offer of $1000 to consider using his skills, someone else's boat and his availability into breaking the law. In those times, a half year's wages could buy many things.
John Edward seemed naive but smart. He could think on his feet. The novella showed the 1920s without gloss as a 25-year-old might view things -- getting ready to ask a girl for her hand in marriage and settle down.
Without giving the story away, let's just say that it was a dark and stormy night and John Edward was a keen observer of men and weather. I enjoyed this short book!
November 2, 2022
Exciting, so that the reader has to keep turning the pages; heartwarming, that thoughtful characters work together to allow each to achieve his goal. An opportunity for a young man to show his mettle and fulfill his dreams.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews