The Tonkawa Falls Affair: A Gilded-Age Legal Thriller
Author: G. Reading Powell
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: December 2023
Genre: Historical Mystery/Thiller
Series: Book Three
Pages: 351
Available: ebook, paperback

Violence: minimal
Sex: None

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of his book. This is the third books by G. Reading Powell that I have read.

The Short Story: A finely crafted legal thriller that completes an amazing series.

As mentioned, this is the third book in the ‘Catfish Calloway’ series. Catfish is a Waco lawyer with a thriving practice that includes his son Harley and their delightful secretary, Peach. In this final book in the series, Catfish is employed to defend the beautiful wife of a Cotton Baron. During the preparations and trial, he is forced to work with railroad detective Thaddeus Schoolcraft, the man who Catfish blames for his elder son’s death. When Catfish finds himself falsely accused of a crime, he must face the past and his enemy to protect himself and his family.

Once again, Powell pens a brilliant story brimming with details of life in Texas in the late 19th century. It’s an age with one foot in the past and another in the present. Horse-drawn carriages and telephone exist alongside baseball and sporting houses. The American Civil War is alive in the memories of the citizens of Waco. The one constant is the power of the truth.

Well written, entertaining, this page turner will delight readers. With deft touches of humor, poignancy, and surprise, the story moves at a quick pace. The characters are well-drawn and come to life in the author’s hand. I found myself thinking of which actors could portray these characters. The story itself is a clever crime which kept me guessing. The ending perfectly wraps up the series.

I highly recommend this book and series to readers but would advise them to start with book one and not miss any of the story. Lovers of legal thrillers, Texas history and good books in general will appreciate this brilliant story. ( )