A writer of family histories, as well as an autobiographical account of life growing up in a southern textile town, Larry O. Nichols now confirms his status as an author to contend with in the historical thriller genre with his latest book, A Hobo Odyssey (Warren Publishing).
A Hobo Odyssey is an accurate snapshot of a period in American history that depicts how common families dealt with poverty and hardship in the aftermath of World War I and the Great Depression that left many Americans jobless, homeless and starving; often forcing whole families to leave their roots and become vagabonds – riding the rails and stowing away on freight trains – in search of anything that would put food on the table. In the process, they often became hoboes or drifters who were generally feared since desperation forces people to do desperate things.
Based on true events, A Hobo Odyssey captures the reader’s attention from the very first page with its real and engaging characters that draw readers into believing they are right alongside, sharing the same life journey and experiences with them. But life is often unpredictable, and soon readers get thrust into a fast-paced adventure filled with intrigue, mystery, fear and unrequited love.
When Steve and his friend Eddie took up the hobo life, it was with a different purpose in mind. They wanted to see the world outside of their home in South Carolina. While Steve originally wanted to see his birthplace in southwest Missouri, Eddie just went along for the ride. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined the adventures, danger and trickery they would encounter along the way.
Less than a few miles from home they run into a man known as Slim who happens to be a schizophrenic serial killer, tracking down and murdering hoboes and tramps along the same route the young men have chosen. Their journey becomes a quest for survival that takes them through small towns along the railroad tracks as they beg, work and even steal for food – all the while making friends of diverse homeless men looking for work from one town to another, and defending themselves from the ones who would do them harm.
Life gets even more interesting for the pair when they join up with a traveling circus and encounter a brutal fighter who wants Steve to fight him for the prize money the circus has put up, but Steve is already fighting a battle within himself over a brutal beating he administered earlier to a hometown former friend that cost him the loss of Evelyn, a girl he thought he would someday marry. But fate played an unexpected role in Steve’s life…
The night before the two left their hometown, Steve had attended a dance where he caught the merest glimpse of a lady dressed in green velvet. While The Lady in Green had fled in a car before they could actually meet, he knew this mysterious, raven-haired beauty had captured his heart and that he would someday marry her. So now, while Steve’s days riding the rails are filled with excitement and danger, his nights are plagued by wonderful yet discomforting dreams and a longing to know more about The Lady in Green.
When Steve and Eddie cross paths once again with the serial killer, the breakneck pacing of the story carries readers through terrifying twists and turns to the climactic ending that makes for one thrilling read impossible to put down!
Receiving five-star reviews on Amazon.com, Larry Nichols’ convincing tale of the exploits and dangers the two encounter in The Hobo Odyssey leaves readers wanting more from this highly imaginative writer. For more information please visit: www.LarryNicholsBooksAndMusic.us.
About the Author
Larry O. Nichols was born in York County, SC, in 1940 and grew up 25 miles away in Cramerton, NC, a small cotton mill town. After a short stint in the US Navy, he attended North Carolina State University and received a BS in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Engineering Mechanics in 1965 and an MBA from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, in 1976. Larry is retired after spending a career in Information Technology Management. He and his wife, Kay, have two children, both grown, Neil in Wake Forest, NC, and Sylvia in Huntersville, NC, and two grandchildren. They have lived in North Carolina (3 times), South Carolina (twice), Tennessee, Virginia, Connecticut, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Larry and Kay now make their home in Taylors near Greenville, SC.
Larry has always had a desire to write. His career in IT required him to become a technical writer, which honed his writing and grammar skills. Later, he researched and wrote six books on various family histories. In 2007 Larry wrote and self-published an autobiographical account of growing up in a Southern textile town titled, “Memories of Cramerton: A Cotton Mill Town”.
Previous to Memories, his work had been primarily confined to family histories and works of genealogies. He has authored major works on several families, such as: Nichols, Dillingham, Nivens (co-authored with Douglas Sigmon), Chariker / Carriker / Karcher), McCarter, Quinn, and Falls, all of which have roots in York County, SC, and the surrounding areas.
“A Hobo Odyssey”, a historical novel, is his first attempt at fiction.
My Take on the Book
This book was a great look into the Great Depression Era and what this era did to individuals. The book was well researched and completely transported you back in time. With vivid details and insights the author makes you feel as if you were there during that period of time. You can hear the sounds and smell the smells, all you have to do is close your eyes and you are there. The characters are strong and truly come to life for the reader. I also learned a lot about life on the rails, which was definitely not something that I could say prior to this. You will be amazed at how quickly you get through this book as I know for me it was one I did not want to put down!
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Could not have said it any better "With vivid details and insights the author makes you feel as if you were there during that period of time." really captures this read!
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