Feast for Thieves

This debut historical novel from Brotherton, who has written many nonfiction titles about war veterans (We Who Are Alive and Remain), was inspired by the true story of a paratrooper named Wayne “Skinny” Sisk in Easy Company, featured in the book Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. An “incorrigible” man, Rowdy Slater, becomes a preacher after the war. His first sermon is a disaster, but one line summarizes his insight: “If God could care for a ruffian like Cain, even with everywhere he’d been and with all the wrong he’d done, then I reckon God could care for someone like me.” Rowdy’s story unfolds with satisfying unpredictability, offering plot twists that would be unbelievable if not for strong motivations that encourage suspension of disbelief. The two loves of Rowdy’s life are one of many surprises. Dialogue is colloquial and historically rooted, as in Twain’s Huck Finn. The short novel is packed with action, intrigue, and scoundrels who have Rowdy over a barrel. Readers will want to find out exactly how the unlikely hero is going to escape yet another predicament. Agent: Greg Johnson, Word Serve Literary Group. (Sept.)