New Harmony:

Book One in the New Harmony Series

Margaret Butler’s story is the nightmare every mother dreads—the murder of her son. As a deeply spiritual woman born in 1905, her story also reflects the laments of former slaves and their descendants because Thad’s murder, as well as the truth of who killed him, is wrapped up in the paternalism and racism of the South, reflected in the lives of Ophelia and Hollis Demmings, occupants of the Big House. Their two children, Candy and Floyd Demmings, as well as the objects of their affection, become collateral elements that contribute to Thad Butler’s murder and the eventual murder of Hollis Demmings. After recounting Thad’s funeral in the first chapter, Margaret’s story begins as a ten-year-old who fervently wishes to be schooled. The rest of Part One follows the contours of Margaret’s life, from the innocence of her childhood to the death of her son. The first part of the book builds the intricate web of decisions and behaviors that become the rationalizations for murder. Part Two recounts what unfolds from her son’s death, continuing until we learn the reasons for Thad’s murder and the person responsible. But the ending presents us with some unexpected twists. New Harmony, is the first of a three-part series.