The Resurrection of Hucklebuck Jones

Florida, 1955...

Two men are missing.

The sudden disappearance of Pete Demopoulos is front-page news. A bloody crime scene points to violence, and everyone wants to know what happened to the successful husband, father, and heir-apparent to his family’s chain of grocery stores.

Hucklebuck Jones is missing, too. When he’s not doing odd jobs for pocket change, Hucklebuck, a Negro deaf mute, lives alone in the swamps. Despite his cheerful demeanor, Hucklebuck scares folks. His disappearance goes unnoticed.

If only the truth were known.

Twinton County has never seen the likes of the new teacher they call Buck. Soon after accepting a position at the local Negro school, Buck challenges the white establishment and helps integrate the public library and a local lunch counter. He also catches the eye of colleague Dottie Hanford. Together they become a formidable force against the status quo.

Then, a single act of violence undermines Buck’s efforts. A riot erupts. Three people are dead, and Buck’s secrets are exposed. On the run and with no one else to turn to, Buck places his survival in the hands of an unlikely person from his past. What happens next is the stuff of which great stories are made. The Resurrection of Hucklebuck Jones is equal parts historical fiction, social commentary, and love story.

Amazon Reader Reviews for The Resurrection of Hucklebuck Jones:

What an emotional ride. I was sad, filled with pride, frantic, upset, relieved, and happy. You fall in love with the characters.

Great prose! Great character development. Twists that keep you turning the pages.

The author’s description of social and ethnically segregated institutions in the 1950’s is eerily true to life.