"Incredible work"
By 1951 Thebes, Mississippi is a ghost town converted
to a penal colony for Negro criminals. Once in you never
leave as the only egress is by boat in a casket. The
warden and guards run a tight operation making life
miserable for the prisoners because the standard operating
norm is whipping and torture. The men in charge use all
sorts of diabolical devices to keep the prisoners in line
and cowed. Attorney Sam Vincent travels to Thebes to meet a
client, but is illegally detained by the law enforcement
officials running the facility. Earl Swagger knows Sam is
inside Thebes and sets out to free his friend. Earl frees
Sam, but is caught instead. Big Boy, who runs the prison,
periodically tortures Earl, who with a bit of luck escapes
vowing to return to burn this little corner of hell to the
ground. PALE HORSE COMING is a juicy thriller that shows how
little freedom blacks had in the 1951 south. The novel
shocks, excites, and enthralls the audience. The plot
serves as a testament to the unknown heroes fighting
injustice to make things right for everyone. Stephen
Hunter is a fantastic writer who knows how to entertain and
educate his fans. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 13, 2001
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