Thorns In The Garden City — Charles Bowen

Thorns In The Garden City is a sequel to Paladin, the novel that set the stage and brought in the characters in the story, and reenters the world of the 1940-50s in Augusta, Georgia. Originally a significant trading post and fort developed at the end of navigation on the Savannah River as England's 2nd city in its 13th colony. Early it became a major rail and stage coach exchange with some river navigation available. In 1845 entrepreneurs developed a canal forcing water from the river through the city. This allowed water power to drive the equipment of industries that quickly took advantage. Particularly textile plants. At one point 15 of them in the greater Augusta metropolitan area. A foundry and brick manufacturer completer the sources of major employment. But basically a cotton economy. By 1900 it became evident that the city was at a standstill as to economic growth. What was there simply passed local dollars among the general businesses. By 1935 efforts were made to begin growth and economic development. The existing industrial power structure took action to discourage those efforts. The last attempt at revival and the clean up of corruption began in 1942, but war put it on hold.In 1945-46 Thorns In The Garden City picks up on those earlier efforts and the battle is on. Veterans returning home detected the problems. The result is the rough edge battle to clean up political and law enforcement corruption and economic stagnation. One of those veterans is Capt. Matt Tower, who will join forces with the strongest effort yet to bring Augusta into the rapid post war expansion of the Southeast for its share of the bounty. This is a historical romance novel by description and Matt's efforts are subject to the distraction of his former significant while at University of Georgia who chases him until he catches her.The reader will quickly connect with Tower and his family, which is not immune to the wrath of the status quo regime.Then things Matt had given up to memories in England threaten to revive which places this resourceful and strong man in a sweet-sour dilemma. This is an exciting fast read which will be hard to put down. But the reader, regardless of the compulsion, must refrain from peaking at the last three chapters.