Brother Against Brother; or, The Tompkins Mystery. A Story of the Great American Rebellion.

** "Brother Against Brother; or, The Tompkins Mystery" by John R. Musick is a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of pre-Civil War America, where moral dilemmas and family secrets collide. The story centers on George W. Tompkins, a conflicted Virginia planter grappling with the ethical quandaries of slavery and the grim aftermath of a brutal family tragedy. Haunted by the recent murder of his brother's family, allegedly linked to enslaved people on their plantation, Tompkins' journey begins with a stagecoach ride through a mist-shrouded Virginia, immediately establishing a dark and contemplative tone. Encounters along the way such as heated debates about slavery and a strange encounter with a young boy named Crazy Joe, reveal the tensions simmering beneath the surface of society, foreshadowing the impending conflict that threatens to engulf both the nation and Tompkins' own life. **