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Epico Bayou

Charlsie Russell
Loblolly Writer’s House (2009)
ISBN 9780976982425
Reviewed by Marcy Blesy for RebeccasReads.com (12/09)

 “Epico Bayou” by Charlsie Russell is an engaging historical mystery, suspense, romance all rolled together in one book.  The premise of the book is established early.  Lionel Augustus, an elderly wealthy Mississippian dies.  His estate is to go to his out of wedlock son Clay Boudreaux and his stepdaughter Olivia Lee, but only upon the marriage of the two, who have never met.  Olivia and Clay marry by proxy without ever seeing each other. 

However, Lionel’s siblings are furious and crave his money.  Many say that when Clay arrives in Mississippi he is actually Troy , Clay’s brother, for it is believed that Clay dies in a fire shortly after his proxy marriage.  Olivia is confused, not knowing if she is dealing with Clay or Troy .  Murders, plots, and affairs take center stage in the book, as does the growing excitement between Olivia and “Clay/Troy.”  Though the characters are different from Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind,” I still found myself drawing some comparisons between Olivia and “Clay/Troy.”  The passion is definitely there as well as the stubbornness. 

The cast of characters in “Epico Bayou” is quite large.  Thankfully, Ms. Russell has a “Guide to Characters” page at the front of the book.  I referred to this guide constantly, even until the end of the book.  The plot is very confusing at times, I must be honest.  I can truly say that I still do not understand all of the various subplots.  However, the main mystery of the story is logical.  Ms. Russell writes skillfully drawing the reader into the lives of the characters.  Though the cast is large, the main characters are clearly defined and identifiable.  The mystery carries the reader to the end with several surprise twists. 

I enjoyed the book very much.  Seeing the characters in my mind so clearly with so much action going on, makes me think that “Epico Bayou” would make a great movie.  Perhaps then some of my confusions could be clarified.   I recommend “Epico Bayou” and am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Russell’s books in the future.


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