Coming of Age in the South

"A Death on the Wolf", by G.M. Frazier is a coming of age tale with danger and suspense thrown into the mix.  It is the story of Nelson Gody, who is sixteen in the summer of 1969.  He is living in Bells Ferry, Mississippi with his father and younger sister, Sachet.  His Aunt Charity lives in the house next door on the family land.

What begins as a routine summer for Nelson, working at the gas station and hanging out with his friend Frankie on the Wolf river, quickly changes when Aunt Charity brings 14 year old Mary Alice to stay with her for the summer.  Mary Alice is a blind orphan who normally resides at the orphanage.  Nelson is smitten the moment he lays eyes on her.

As the summer progresses and love blooms, Nelson learns that Frankie has been harboring a secret that impacts both their lives.  When a mysterious stranger arrives in town on a sleek black motorcycle danger arrives with him.

This is a wonderful story set in a time and place that is a story in itself.  Bells Ferry is still working through the civil rights movement and Hurricane Camille is on her way.  Nothing will be the same.

Frazier has created wonderful characters with many layers to them.  They are well developed and I felt I knew each of them intimately. The story is well paced and compelling.  I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what would happen next.  The suspense builds and holds you in it's grips.  A fantastic read!