Book details

  • Genre:fiction
  • Sub-genre:Historical / General
  • Language:English
  • Pages:372
  • eBook ISBN:9781667882949
  • Paperback ISBN:9781667882932

BEER BURLOCKS AND WHISKEY CHASERS

RUMRUNNING ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN DEFIANCE OF PROHIBITION

By HARMON GRAVES

Overview

The setting for this historical novel is the Champlain Valley located between Vermont and New York predominately occupied by Lake Champlain. The lake has hosted decisive naval battles of the Revolution and War of 1812, and this noble history is temporarily sullied as a waterway devoted to the transportation of illicit booze during Prohibition (1920- 1933) enacted shortly after the close of WWI.
The author invites the reader aboard a 33’ Sea Skiff with its rear deck and hold loaded with liquor and beer for deliveries to commercial purchasers along the shores of the lake to face the challenges of choppy sea, uncertain navigation at night under a quarter moon, engagement in escape and evasion with the U.S. Boat Patrol and a frenzied competitor seeking control of rumrunning on the lake. The turbulence of the lake and violence of competition and law enforcement surrender to the passion of a romance originating during WWI and the drama of a federal court trial where unique application of law and procedure and courtroom events await the reader.

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Description

Prohibition drifts into northern Vermont like the thick fog that occasionally envelops its major waterway, Lake Champlain. It is recklessly disregarded, dividing the nation and its family units, but offers economic opportunity for Armand Dubuc, a veteran of WWI returning home, finding no work but willing to risk the dangers of rumrunning on this lucrative water route. Armand pursues a love affair with Cosette, a comely French nurse who saved his life during the battle of Chateau-Thierry. His boating cunning eventually is overcome by the U.S. Boat Patrol—the Prohibition enforcement arm on the lake—and he faces prosecution in federal court. There with the skill of his lawyer, who himself has a challenging conflict within his own family over the 18th Amendment, Prohibition itself is put on trial, the jury is led to vote its conscience, which forces the judge—mired in his own misdeeds—to take action that shakes the fabric of the community. Justice in an unexpected way is ultimately served.
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About The Author

Harmon S. Graves,III was raised in northern Vermont on Lake Champlain surrounded by extended family members all steeped in the history of naval battles of the Revolution and War of 1812 which were fought a little over two miles from the later site of their summer home. During Prohibition the U.S. Boat Patrol searching for and occasonally apprehending rumrunners on the lake added late evening action to the clink of ice in a strong drink. As a former U.S. Army officer, competitive sailor, and trial lawyer by profession he has weaved these experiences into into a historical novel of the Prohibition era infused with its politics, seafaring enforcement, and courtroom drama.
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