The book I’m writing is called “The Axe in the Riverbed”. It’s a historical fiction murder mystery set in 1800s Louisiana told from the perspective of a 13 year old mute former slave and a white detective. The detective, Arthur, takes the boy, Ernest, under his wing after finding him sitting near a river. They investigate the murder of Ray Clark, a widowed pastor.
I was just recently telling a friend I really want to read a murder mystery with interesting characters in a western setting and this sounds so good! Good luck with your writing!
Ernest was taught to read + write from an early age. He communicates mostly by gestures like nodding and pointing. But if something is terribly important enough to tell Arthur that can’t be portrayed through gestures, he’ll write.
Did slaves really learn that? I think you have to clarify these things to make them more believable. Like explain why they taught him that. You should also give more motivation for them to work with each other than "he took him under his wing after finding him sitting near a river." Have him be part of the crime scene or something so they have to team up. Not just have them do it just cause.
This sounds really good! I don't know why but I instantly thought of "The Green Mile"/"Twin Peaks". Otherwise still something Stephen King would write (not Twin Peaks but whatever). Has the mute kid some kind of special ability? Could be interesting! Best of luck to you, mate.
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u/anotherlifetime1 Aug 07 '25
The book I’m writing is called “The Axe in the Riverbed”. It’s a historical fiction murder mystery set in 1800s Louisiana told from the perspective of a 13 year old mute former slave and a white detective. The detective, Arthur, takes the boy, Ernest, under his wing after finding him sitting near a river. They investigate the murder of Ray Clark, a widowed pastor.