The Scribe

Graphic gothic horror and 19th-century American caste politics meld with unsettling force in this (often literally) scorching whodunit...an intricately woven page-turner... Imagine a sequel to Birth of a Nation as conceived, written, and directed by David Lynch. Too much of a stretch? Wait till you see who-or what-is behind the mayhem. -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Guinn has written an excellent sequel to the first novel (The Resurrectionist, 2013) in his series of mysteries set in the Reconstruction South. The author superbly portrays the evil that lurks along the streets of post-war Atlanta. His research of Atlanta after the war is impeccable, and the plot, with its twists and turns, is fast-paced, gripping, and compels the reader to turn each page. I highly recommend this mystery. -- Historical Novel Society [S]uperior whodunit... The richness of the characters and period detail make the prospect of a sequel welcome. -- Publishers Weekly, Starred review [A]n absorbing historical mystery filled with evocative period detail, a brooding atmosphere of corruption and pervasive evil, and compelling characters... Readers will be reminded of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City (2003) and the distinctly southern, melancholy tone of James Lee Burke's Robicheaux series. -- Booklist Talk about turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, Matthew Guinn nails turn-of-the-twentieth-century Southern history. Guinn captures the look and feel of Georgia perfectly. It's a whodunit with a twist...a heady mix of history, sizzle, punch, and danger. A definite keeper. -- Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Patriot Threat Matthew Guinn makes the reader realize that the present is an extension of the past, and our predecessors are not our predecessors but are us. The Scribe is a remarkable book and hard to put down. -- James Lee Burke, New York Times best-selling author of the Dave Robicheaux series and two-time Edgar Award winner The Scribe creates a nightmare, penetrates the darkness, and balances ever so nimbly between the surreal and the physical worlds. Yet there is hope, always hope, and you'll follow that light at the end of the tunnel to see where Guinn will take you. -- Michael Farris Smith, author of Rivers One of the most tense and exciting novels I have read in ages. -- Don Noble - Tuscaloosa News Matthew Guinn is the real thing: a Southern literary craftsman who knows how to write a thriller. Do yourself a favor and read him. -- Greg Iles, New York Times best-selling author of Natchez Burning So good... Historical figures mingle freely with Guinn's own fully fleshed characters in a time and setting that make this horror story something much more than just scary reading at dusk. -- Laura Wadley - Daily Herald A gripping tale that will have readers gasping, both in suspense and in horror... [Guinn is] one of the most promising fiction writers in America today. -- Jim Ewing - The Clarion-Ledger Few writers seem to understand the difficult balance between historical detail and suspense better than Edgar Award finalist Matthew Guinn. [The Scribe] is a master class in historical mystery... A powerful, elaborate page-turner, perfect for fans of everything from Caleb Carr's The Alienist to Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. -- Matthew Jackson - BookPage Exciting, atmospheric... A fine historical thriller that deserves a wide readership. -- Nelson Appell - The Missourian