‘Feast for Thieves’: Non-fiction author excels at fiction writing

Marcus Brotherton is known as a best-selling author for his books based on real people, including those who fought during World War II.

Staying in the time period of the 1940s and with his main character a war veteran, Brotherton eases his way into the fiction realm with both barrels blasting in 'Feast for Thieves.”

Though I enjoy historical fiction, I was unsure about this novel at first.

In this case, I am guilty of judging this book by its cover, which seemed too masculine for my taste.

I was wrong. This is a novel that both men and women can read and enjoy, perhaps even together in a book club.

With no job, no home, no money and a record, he resorts to robbing a bank with an old prison friend, Crazy Ake.

After barely escaping authorities, Rowdy has second thoughts. He returns the money to the small town of Cut Eye, Texas.

The town sheriff offers Rowdy a deal. He can go to jail or become the town minister for a year. He wants Rowdy to get more men in church and out of the bars and brothels.

Rowdy decides being a minister is better than life in jail, so he agrees to the plan.

From the current fill-in pastor, Bobbie Barker, he learns that being a minister is much more than preaching at the pulpit. The experience might just change his life as well as the residents of the town of Cut Eye.

Brotherton places readers in Cut Eye with his colorful descriptions of the debilitated church and parsonage, the couple who run the cafe, the stern church secretary and her ill husband, sweet and sassy Bobbie Barker and the evil Crazy Ake.

All the characters felt like family by the end of the novel. Through the setting and the use of a dialect unique to the place and time, it's clear that Brotherton did his homework and thoroughly researched every piece of this novel.

There are many surprises and nail-biting pages during Rowdy's year of ministry.

Not surprisingly, there is a Christian element to the story. It is subtle enough, though, to fit with Rowdy's preaching and care of his community.

There are parts where you will pray along with Rowdy because you want everything to turn out OK even though you can't imagine how it will.

The subtitle of the book - 'A Rowdy Slater Novel” - seems to imply that we might hear more about Rowdy Slater's story.

The ending leaves readers hanging, wanting to know more of what happens to the people of Cut Eye.

I am sure I am not the only reader hoping for more fiction from Brotherton.