WINNER OF THE 2005 GOVERNOR’S BOOK AWARD FROM THE MISSOURI HUMANITIES COUNCIL!A treasure trove of gold is found buried next to a skeleton with a bullet hole in its skull. Young lawyer Allison Culbertson faces the toughest courtroom battle of her career to prove the gold belongs to her client. The secrets of the gold are revealed in an unforgettable story that transports the reader from a modern courtroom to the glory days of steamboating on the Mississippi, from a love story on the river to the perils of the Civil War. A Missouri border town of divided loyalties is “captured” by Union soldiers, its occupants facing martial law, loyalty oaths, hangings, and brutality, with cannon from the town’s forts ready to obliterate Cape Girardeau itself should Confederates attack.Swingle’s riveting tale brings the past to life — combining mystery, love, greed, romance, and courtroom drama into a suspenseful blend of history and fiction.“Move over Michener, here’s Morley Swingle with high adventure on the Mississippi.
It’s the most amazing historical novel I’ve ever read, opening and closing with absorbing courtroom drama.” Elmore Leonard, Former President, Mystery Writers of America“I recommend this memorable historical novel to anyone interested in the Civil War, steamboating on the Mississippi, a good love story, or simply an exciting and entertaining read. Once you start it, be prepared to stay up late. I can’t wait for Swingle’s next novel.” Bill Bradley, author, Time Present, Time Past“Swingle is a gifted writer with a captivating novel — a tale of love, war, mystery, and drama with authentic history woven into every page. I highly recommend it.
David Limbaugh, author Absolute Power“Bootheel Man (the sequel to The Gold of Cape Girardeau) is Morley Swingle’s third book and second novel, and it proves that some lawyers can actually write entertainingly.” Harry Levins, St. Louis Post-Dispatch"I highly recommend this engrossing book."Vincent Bugliosi, Author of Helter Skelter (referring to Morley Swingle's Scoundrels to the Hoosegow)Morley Swingle (From the 2023 Afterward to the E-Book Second Edition of The Gold of Cape Girardeau):"I defy you to read anything you wrote twenty years ago and resist the urge to edit it."It can’t be done."The Gold of Cape Girardeau was published in 2002. E-books weren’t a thing back then, or at least not yet a big thing. I decided in 2023 to make an e-book version of The Gold of Cape Girardeau.
My original plan was to simply put out the book exactly as published in 2002. It was well-reviewed at the time, after all, and even won the 2005 Governor’s Award from the Missouri Humanities Council for being one of the best books written by a Missourian at the time."But . . ."It was too painful to type without editing."The overall story is exactly the same. But the thousands of readers who bought the first edition twenty years ago will be pleasantly surprised by the improvements in this new and improved Second Edition."
