Red Belts

"Red Belts" by Hugh Pendexter is a historical fiction novel that plunges into the post-Revolutionary War tensions between settlers and Native American tribes. The story, set in 1784 Jonesboro, North Carolina, follows Kirk Jackson, a determined ranger with dreams of a future with Elsie Tonpit, against a backdrop of unrest, political maneuvering, and the looming threat of war. The narrative introduces a volatile mix of characters, including the menacing Lon Hester and the enigmatic tavern-keeper Polcher. Looming over the town is Major John Tonpit, whose ambitions are as grand as they are suspect and potentially connected to Spanish interests. Kirk's growing relationship with Elsie adds an element of personal stakes to the story of political intrigue and clashing cultures.