Ax & Spade, Kurt Dowdle

Ax & Spade (Book 1 in the Raven Trilogy) by By Kurt Dowdle
The book club this month was honored with the author's presence. Dowdle, an alumnus of Freedom High School, was inspired to write this historical-fiction thriller after reading about a murder that happened in his hometown of Bethlehem.
This exciting story had book club members glued to the pages, since most reside in the area where the original murder happened.
Dowdle was asked about the pacing of the novel because readers knew he had just finished the second book in the Raven Trilogy. He said that it is hard as a writer to keep a certain pace that will keep readers wanting to turn the page. Additionally, he had to allude to some of the first novel in the second book, so reader's who had not read the first would still be engaged in the story.
The history surrounds the murder of a local family and the subsequent lynching of the the accused murderer. However, Dowdle was more curious about the daughter of the murdered family and the detective on the case, as neither was really mentioned in detail in the old news articles. Thus, these characters are at the focal point of the novel.
The novel also insinuates about a corrupt government in the town, as well as other interesting habits and knowledge of the townspeople. Dowdle assures readers that these areas are explored more in books two and three. 

Meeting Attendance
Kurt, author
Karla
Lori
Kathy