Let Me Die in His Footsteps by Lori Roy, 327 pages

Let Me Die in His Footsteps is set in Kentucky's tobacco country in 1952 and 1936.  Annie Holleran turns 15 1/2 in 1952 and local legend has it if she gazes in a well at midnight on her 15 1/2 birthday, she will see the face of the boy she will marry.  Instead, she and her 14 year old sister Caroline find a dead woman.

In 1936, Kentucky is suffering from drought and the nationwide Depression.  Juna, Sarah and Dale Crowley live with their father on a failing tobacco farm.  A stranger comes by and events are put in motion that change their lives forever and make enemies of neighbors. 

The book was inspired by a true story of the last lawful public hanging in the United States.  The novel was full of darkness and light and I never mind the darkness when there are rays of light too.  This is a book club book and I'm looking forward to the discussion the book will inspire.