by Sharyn McCrumb. She is an Appalachian writer whose family settled in the area in 1790. If you have not read her Ballad books, a loosely connected series, you are missing something great.
In this story, a woman with no particular training has to take over as sheriff after her husband dies. This is in depression era Appalachia. She has to overcome the prejudice against a woman, and take on the job of hanging a man with whom she had family ties. In fact, a newly appointed female sheriff was required by law to personally hang a prisoner at a public execution.
This story is based on a real event. The author says it more about the woman who is determined to do her job so that she can keep it, and keep her young children from starvation.
I recommend the Ballad Series to all the fiction readers here.
Since it is the Christmas season, read "Nora Bonesteel's Christmas Past," a novella. Ms. Bonesteel is a recurring character in the series. She has The Sight. If you read this one out of order, it will only whet your appetite for the rest of the series.
All the books are inspired by real historical events. I learn a lot every time I read one. In addition to some history, I learn about the tenacity and courage of people who do not resemble me. I learn some respect for other types of people.
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