James Alexander Thom’s latest historical fiction novel, Fire in the Water, tells the story of recently married Paddy Quinn, the protagonist of St. Patrick’s Battalion, who learns of the assassination of President Lincoln. Immediately, he determines that he and his bride must travel from New Orleans to attend the funeral of his hero in Springfield, Illinois. He manages to convince both a newspaper and magazine to pay part of his expenses of the trip so he can report on the event. Thus begins another of Thom’s well researched and intriguing stories that illuminate our nation’s past.
The journey and story of the funeral would be interesting with just the usual and expected happenings. However, Paddy books passage on the Sultana, the ship that exploded and burned on the Mississippi. This adds immeasurably to the drama and adventure of the novel.
Most of the book is told in third person narrative style. Paddy, however, also writes entries in his diary which are first person and add to the immediacy of the story. Also, many of Paddy’s illustrative drawings are reproduced in the book. They are absolutely marvelous. I hope to ask Thom if he drew them.
James Alexander Thom launches this book at Bookmamas on Mon., Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Listen to him talk about his books, ask him your questions and have him autograph copies.
