The Devil Amongst the Lawyers by Sharyn McCrumb

The Devil Amongst the Lawyers
Sharyn McCrumb
The Devil Amongst the Lawyers is one of Sharyn McCrumb’s best books yet. According to the acknowledgments in the book, it is a fictionalized version of the 1935 murder trial of Edith Maxwell, which took place in Wise County, Virginia. I was hooked on this story from page one. You follow some of the reporters traveling to Wise by way of Abingdon to cover the trial. The descriptions of Abingdon, the Martha Washington Inn, and the Barter Theater in 1935 are very interesting. They stay overnight in Abingdon, and then head on to Wise, VA. A young lady has been accused of killing her father because of a dispute over her curfew. The story unfolds of the life of the young lady and her family, and their life in Wise.
This story was very entertaining and thought provoking. You follow along and learn what is going on as the reporters learn. The dialogue is easy to follow, and you can keep up with the characters and what is going on with them. The big city reporters describe the scene as a “back of beyond” place, a phrase from the book. Another reporter decides to tell the truth about what he sees. He ends up getting fired from his job for reporting the truth. Between following the trial, learning some of the history of Abingdon and Wise, and having some characters with the Sight, this book was a delight. I would recommend it to anyone who likes trials, history, suspense, or other Sharyn McCrumb books.
I was left with one question while reading the book. When Nora Bonesteel was traveling to Wise, she encountered another woman on the train. Nora says to herself, “There wasn’t any point in telling the woman something that she wouldn’t believe anyhow. She would find out for herself soon enough.” What did the lady find out when she got to Knoxville? It is never revealed.
The side story of Henry, one of the reporters, is very touching. I cried at a couple of places. The descriptions of what he goes through, and how he got to where he was in the book, will touch your heart. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

The Spine of the Virginias by Michael Abraham

The Spine of the Virginias
By: Michael Abraham

This book is about the counties bordering Virginia and West Virginia. Michael Abraham talks to people and records their stories here. You will feel a connection to the people portrayed here, as well as learn the history relative to each area. Whether you are from this area or not, you will be drawn in by the stories of hope, faith, love, and loss.
I loved this book! Reading about how West Virginia was formed, learning Mountain Lake Hotel’s original purpose, capturing the history of coal mining, and getting Dreama Denver’s (Bob Denver’s wife) perspective on West Virginia keep you turning the pages.
Sis and Ivan Puffenbarger owned a sugar-maple business. As you read their story, you will be cheering them on, and then crying with them. You will experience Grundy’s dilemma with flooding, and see how they are coping and revitalizing. The most poignant section of the book is Michael Abraham’s insight to McDowell County, West Virginia.
I came away with two quotes from the book that really spoke to me. One is “Education is the key to achievement”. The other appeared on the last page, “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do”. Throughout this book, these quotes are expounded upon and brought to light. Some of the people included in the stories went on to college, but came back to the area they were from. All faced hardships, but read how they persevered. When you finish this book, you will still be thinking about it.