The devil amongst the lawyers : a ballad novel / Sharyn McCrumb.
In 1934 all the national publications sent their star reporters to remote Virginia to cover the trial of Erma Morton: a beautiful 21-year-old year old mountain girl with a teaching degree, accused of murdering her father--a drunken tyrant of a man. Eager for a new cause celebre to capture the public's imagination, they were counting on reports of horse-drawn buggies, run-down shacks, children in thread-bare clothes--all of the stereotypes of mountain life. But among them is Carl Jennings, an 18-year-old mountain boy on his first job. An eager, honest journalist, he reports accurately--describing telephones, electricity, gas stations, and coal company executives. So when their reports conflict, Carl is condemned, while the seasoned journalists perpetuate the myths of country life--and Erma Morton's guilt or innocence is literally sold to the highest bidder--a wronged woman on trial sells papers. Soon, it is not the murder that is of interest: but the vultures attracted by the deaths. In the midst of all this, Carl continues to search for the truth, relying on his younger cousin, Nora--gifted with the "sight"--for help.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780312558161
- ISBN: 9780312573621
- ISBN: 0312558163
- ISBN: 0312573626
- Physical Description: x, 320 pages ; 25 cm.
- Edition: First edition
- Publisher: New York : Thomas Dunne Books, 2010.
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- A Thomas Dunne book
- Target Audience Note:
- AdultAdult Follett Library Resources
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Journalists > Fiction.
Trials (Murder) > Fiction.
Mountain life > Virginia > Fiction.
Ballads > Fiction.
Trials (Homicide) > Fiction.
Appalachian Region > History > 20th century > Fiction.
Virginia, Southwest > 20th century > Fiction.
Virginia, Southwest > Fiction. - Genre:
- Legal fiction (Literature)
Historical fiction.
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Available copies
- 89 of 95 copies available at NC Cardinal.
- 2 of 2 copies available at Madison County Public Library. (Show)
Holds
- 0 current holds with 95 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Main Library | FIC MCC BAL8 (Text) | 30229100686996 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Mars Hill Library | FIC MCC BAL8 (Text) | 30229100687002 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Albemarle Main Library | FIC McCrumb (Text) | 31010000323297 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library | F MCCRUMB (Text) | 39493106565510 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Alexander Main Library | F McCrumb (Text) | 34269001035485 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Alleghany Public Library | F MCCRUMB (Text) | 30664100236683 | Adult Fiction | Checked out | 08/24/2026 |
| Andrews Public Library | F MCC (Text) | 80605000756139 | Adult Fiction | Checked out | 08/11/2026 |
| Angier Public Library | F McC (Text) | 33632002339662 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Ashe County Public Library | F MCC (Text) | 50503011016948 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Avery County Morrison Public Library | FIC MCC (Text) | 31111002453114 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
