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Chas Novels

Pub date November 20, 2023

ISBN 979-8986596518

Price $16.99 (USD) Paperback, $2.99 Kindle edition

Abston’s fourth installment in his historical fiction series is a powerful reminder of the resilience and humanity of those who have survived unspeakable atrocities in the past. In the wee hours of the morning, eight-year-old Joseph disappears from his home, leaving behind a family shattered and desperate for answers. As they struggle to cope with their fear and confusion, the truth about Joseph’s disappearance slowly comes to light: he has been taken to a slave auction to be sold as property. While the men in his life plot a plan to rescue him, Annabelle must confront her own demons from the past in order to bring her son back home. Abston masterfully weaves a historical tale, expertly balancing plausibility and heartbreak. The reader is drawn into the intimate struggles of multiple characters as they face unfathomable choices and devastating losses. Annabelle, John, little Joseph, and Riza stand out in their individual storylines, each one adding to the overall complexity and depth of the narrative. Abston’s skillful writing brings a compelling lyricism to his characters’ fears and despair, while simultaneously painting a vivid picture of a world ruled by preconceived notions, bias, and cruelty. With precise attention to detail, he captures the unraveling of brutality against Negros, Indians, and mixed-blood people and the erosion of normalcy in their daily life. This is a stunner.

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