by Danny Cantrell
BOOK DESCRIPTION
The Unwritten Law -- A True Crime of Passion
Pearl, a stunning flapper in the Roaring Twenties, has danced for Rudolph Valentino, and enjoys the company of any man she chooses--until she decides to carry on an affair with Morgan, a married rural man with two children.
Morgan's wife, Ina, disguised in borrowed clothing, guns Pearl down when she finds her on a midnight train with her arms around Morgan. The next day, Pearl's body is placed on public display for a town of strangers, and her killer is applauded in the streets by hundreds of country women.
A "dream team" of defense attorneys is hired, and the stage is set for a sensational jazz age clash between two distinct views of a woman's role in modern society--that of the "virtuous" rural mother dressed in gingham and the "scarlet woman" from the city who would deny a mother and her babies the necessities of life.
Pearl, a stunning flapper in the Roaring Twenties, has danced for Rudolph Valentino, and enjoys the company of any man she chooses--until she decides to carry on an affair with Morgan, a married rural man with two children.
Morgan's wife, Ina, disguised in borrowed clothing, guns Pearl down when she finds her on a midnight train with her arms around Morgan. The next day, Pearl's body is placed on public display for a town of strangers, and her killer is applauded in the streets by hundreds of country women.
A "dream team" of defense attorneys is hired, and the stage is set for a sensational jazz age clash between two distinct views of a woman's role in modern society--that of the "virtuous" rural mother dressed in gingham and the "scarlet woman" from the city who would deny a mother and her babies the necessities of life.
Should death ever be the price for adultery? That is the question the jury--and readers--are faced with in THE UNWRITTEN LAW.
AUTHOR BIO
Danny Cantrell is a life-long resident of the Appalachian region. He has worked in both the coal mining industry and in higher education. He holds an associate degree in mining engineering technology, the bachelors and masters' degrees in English, and the Ed.D. in leadership studies in higher education administration. His hobbies include travel, reading, watching TV dramas, listening to a wide variety of music, and photography. He and his wife, Connie, reside in Cabell County, West Virginia with a Peter Pan dog, four loving cats, and more books and magazines than 10 normal households should contain.
REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, well written, and thought provoking, April 27, 2013
This review is from: The Unwritten Law: A True Crime of Passion (Paperback)
Danny Cantrell has captured something remarkable in his book, The Unwritten Law. He has captured the conflict in perceptions of women's rights during the early twentieth century. Where the book excels is the description of the historical context and the social perceptions of the rural Appalachia culture during the 1920's. The book forces the reader to examine the question, is murder justified for the act of adultery?One of the clear strengths of this book is the historically accurate account of the murder trial. The author brings the reader into the courtroom with his description of the social and political tensions that existed at the time. The court scenes are similar to those depicted in the movies Inherit the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird. The author's work and research are definitely worthy of becoming a movie script.
This is a very well written account of one of the most gripping murder trials in the twentieth century. The book is a good read and the writing is excellent and flows easily. I am certain that folks in the communities involved will greatly enjoy reading this work. I definitely recommend the book to others.
5.0 out of 5 stars Adultery, Reason to Kill?, May 1, 2013
By
This review is from: The Unwritten Law: A True Crime of Passion (Paperback)
I have only read 5 chapters of this book and it is hard for me to put down! I rarely have time to read, so unless a book grabs my attention in the first chapter, I probably will not finish it.I am truly enjoying this book.If you read only one book this summer, I suggest this one! It is very well written and I can envision a movie! Danny Cantrell incorporates the reader as (seemingly) part of the action! It is a true crime & courtroom story with some fictional accounts; a crime of passion. Is there ever a justified reason to kill?
Connie Vance-Kingery
