Fiction – Page 12 – Readers Alley

The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller – The Only Woman in the Room

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She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both?

Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich’s plans while at her husband’s side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.

But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she knew a few secrets about the enemy. She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis…if anyone would listen to her.

A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication, The Only Woman in the Room is a masterpiece.

Reader Reviews

“Once again, Benedict shines a literary spotlight on a historical figure whose talents and achievements have been overlooked, with sparkling results. The Only Woman in the Room is page-turning tapestry of intrigue and glamour about a woman who refuses to be taken for granted. Spell-binding and timely.” – Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece

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About the Author:

Once a New York City lawyer, Marie Benedict had long dreamed about a fantastical job unraveling the larger mysteries of the past as an archaeologist or historian — before she tried her hand at writing. While drafting her first book, she realized that she could excavate the possible truths lurking in history through fiction, and has done so in THE OTHER EINSTEIN, the story of Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein’s first wife and a physicist herself, and CARNEGIE’S MAID, the story of a brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie toward philanthropy. Her new novel, THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, was released in January of 2019. She is a graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law, and lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

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Rachel’s Search – Historical & Literary Fiction At Its Best

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What does the second coming of the Klan portend for Satilla County? Is it one more sign evil is winning? Setting out to find answers, a northern-born young journalist experiences life in the deep South, the struggle to survive for whites and blacks. Her search turns personal and horrific when her best friend disappears.

Boston born journalist Rachel Mellon sees the second coming of the Klan in 1915 as more fuel on a fire already burning out of control, not only in Satilla County but around the world. To her, the new South appears to be as bad as the old, or worse. Challenged by her editor, she goes out to experience life for herself out there in the pine woods. She finds poor whites and even poorer blacks struggling to survive against great odds. She finds suffering and hatred but also hope and love. When best friend Eve disappears, Rachel’s search turns personal and horrific.

Reader Reviews

“Rachel’s Search by Oscar Patton is a historical novel about life in a small Georgia town in 1915. Told through the eyes of a young female journalist raised in Boston it paints a picture of a close community of farmers, tenant farmers and business owners.

The KKK had essentially been erradicated in 1870 and declared a terrorist organization by the Federal Government. In 1915 it begins to make a comeback based on lies about it’s true ideology. Claiming to be a “religious” organization similar to Free Masons (a blatant lie) it states it is being formed to protect women, stop bootlegging (prohibition was in full force), provide spiritual guidance and for the betterment of society.

Before the KKK takes hold Satilla County is a community where the black and white citizens have a comfortable relationship with each other. Although they are “separate but equal” there is friendly interaction between everyone in society no matter what race or social standing a person comes from. Once the KKK takes hold that disappears and trust erodes.

Rachel is journalist and an outsider. When she starts writing editorials condemning the klan and everything it stands for she is threatened. Through her eyes the reader sees the erosion of trust and friendships. Life becomes precarious for the black community and those in the white community who refuse to be a part of a racist organization clearly run by bullies, deviants and elitists. During this time Rachel’s best friend Eve disappears without a trace. With time ticking Rachel and the rest of the community begin to search for the missing woman.

I enjoyed this book. I didn’t know the klan had been erradicated and made a resurgence in the early 1900’s. The storyline is really well developed and movies along effortlessly. The author exposes the true nature of the klan and it’s destructive influence on a community that had been living in peace with each other. He points out that those who are die hard klan members are what Hillary called “a basket of deplorables.” (I will clarify I disagree with her use of it to describe Trump supporters but it is a true description of the klan.)

Character development is well done. Rachel comes across as a smart and capable woman. I’m sure she is the image of many women of her time in the suffragette movement. This is really her story so the fact that other characters are not as well developed does nothing to take away from the story.

I recommend this book. There is history that I believe most people are unaware of. It also gives the reader a glimpse inside the klan and shows what leverage they use to recruit members. Seeing the changes that happen in a small Georgia town once the klan starts to take hold was eye opening and informative.“ – Seraphina, Reviewer

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About the Author:

Oscar Patton is the author of the Satilla County series of novels. He says, “I use history, memory, and imagination to create regional stories with universal, timeless themes. As William Faulkner put it, I write about the ‘human heart in conflict with itself.’”

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