646 records matched your query       

Author:

Peelle, Lydia, author.

Title:

The midnight cool : a novel / Lydia Peelle.

Edition:

First edition.

Publisher:

Harperan imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers,

Copyright Date:

2017

Description:

359 pages ; 24 cm

Subject:

FICTION / Literary.
FICTION / Historical.
Swindlers and swindling--Fiction.
Tennessee--History--20th century--Fiction.
World War, 1914-1918--United States--Fiction.
Historical fiction.

Summary:

"The Whiting Award--winning author of the story collection Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing delivers her enchanting debut novel, set in 1916 Tennessee: a rich and rewarding tale of two flawed yet endearing grifters who pursue women, wealth, and a surprisingly valuable commodity for the troops in Europe--mules. A middle-aged Irish immigrant, Billy has a gift for illusion--making damaged objects look new. His companion, Charles, the smooth-tongued teenage son of a prostitute, is a natural salesman, just like the mythical father he's never met. Longtime horse traders and partners, they've recently turned their talents to trading mules. But in the summer of 1916, these seasoned grifters skilled in the art of the underhanded deal have just been swindled themselves. They're saddled with the one thing they may not be able to unload: a gorgeous, murderous black mare named The Midnight Cool. Charles should have listened to Catherine, the beautiful, rebellious daughter of Leland Hatcher, the richest man in Richfield, Tennessee, and the former owner of The Midnight Cool. The horse would be worth a fortune--if she weren't a verified man-killer who attacks on sight. Charles and Billy are rooted in this muggy town until they can miraculously retrain their recalcitrant mare, and in the shadow of the growing inevitability of war, their bond begins to fray. Falling in love with Catherine--and under the spell of the deceitful, wealthy Leland, the vision of himself he'd like to be--Charles pulls away from the older man. Despite their growing distance, Billy and Charles find their business thriving when the war in Europe pushes the demand for mules sky-high and the United States enters the fight. But when a trade goes terribly wrong, Charles is forced to reevaluate his allegiance to his country, the moral implications of his lifestyle, his relationship with Catherine, and, ultimately, his mysterious and surprisingly deep connection to Billy. Populated by spirited, memorable characters, The Midnight Cool is a startlingly profound tale of aspiration, loyalty, and love--and the eternal search for something lasting in a transitory world"-- Provided by publisher.
"From the author of the award-winning story collection REASONS FOR AND ADVANTAGES OF BREATHING, a debut novel set in 1916 Tennessee that follows two flawed but appealing grifters--one older man, and one younger--in their pursuit of women, wealth, and a surprisingly valuable commodity for the troops in Europe: mules"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

0062475460 (hardback)
9780062475466 (hardback)

OCLC:

(OCoLC)950745329

LCCN:

2016032307

Locations:

BRPD251 -- Adel Public Library (Adel)

BOPG851 -- Ames Public Library (Ames)

GBPF771 -- Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library (Ankeny)

FYPI314 -- Dubuque County Library - Asbury Branch (Asbury)

KSPG296 -- Burlington Public Library (Burlington)

SAPG074 -- Cedar Falls Public Library (Cedar Falls)

TYPH572 -- Cedar Rapids Public Library (Cedar Rapids)

FCPB384 -- Dike Public Library (Dike)

FJPC224 -- Elkader Public Library (Elkader)

MXPG943 -- Fort Dodge Public Library (Fort Dodge)

YEPF572 -- Marion Public Library (Marion)

AAPF906 -- Ottumwa Public Library (Ottumwa)

HRPE845 -- Sioux Center Public Library (Sioux Center)

GDPF771 -- Urbandale Public Library (Urbandale)

GEPG771 -- West Des Moines Public Library (West Des Moines)