The case that this book covers is one that took place in 1932 in Natchez, Mississippi. The author of this book started out researching some of the Antebellum homes that were offered for tours. The Natchez Pilgrimage was celebrating it's 80th anniversary of tours at the time the author began researching, and this is how she discovered Goat Castle. Goat Castle was the home of Richard Dana, which he shared with Octavia Dockery. The house was so named because the duo had several pet goats that just did as they pleased. Dana and Dockery enlisted the services of George Pearls, who happened to be an African American man. They wanted him to rob their neighbor, and longtime nemesis, Jennie Merrill. Mr. Pearls was unable to face trial, so somehow an innocent woman, Emily Burns, was put on trial for this crime instead. This whole story was wild.

I really enjoyed learning about the Antebellum homes. Southern culture is something else entirely, and I say that as a born and raised Southern person. People are of two mindsets here- you must love and celebrate everything SOUTHERN, or you must denounce it. It really isn't that simple. There is a medium area. You must look at the whole. The actions of the south created and caused a lot of things, lasting things, and not all of them are good. You can enjoy the architecture of a place, while also learning about the things that happened on the property. You cannot erase the things that happened, because that serves no historical purpose, and also really does a disservice to the memories of those who endured who knows what on the properties. Anyway, that is a digression from the purpose of this review, but I encourage any readers of this review, those who are interested in Civil War history, to really look at the establishment of properties and homes like this. Not all Antebellum homes were Plantation Homes, but looking into the family wealth and where it came from is something that should be considered when touring or learning about these homes. Just because the façade is beautiful, what is behind closed doors may not be.

This book is currently available on the Audible Plus catalogue. The author really did a great deal of research on this book. The case was not one that I was familiar with prior to reading this book. People have heard about the Jim Crow laws and all of the other racist nonsense that goes on down here. (Certainly, if it wasn't believable to people before, it should be now, in light of many recent events.) This case is a prime example of society in the south. It doesn't matter WHO did the crime, as long as SOMEONE pays for it, especially if that SOMEONE can be African American. It furthers the belief that all African Americans are miscreants and untrustworthy in some way. This case and this book is a reminder that racial injustice was absolutely taking place- not only taking place, it was COMMON PLACE. I think this book was interesting for several different reasons. My history major heart was pleased to learn about the social aspects of this time period, the homes, etc. My true crime loving heart was very interested in the case, the outcome, and the injustice. This was a spur of the moment download for me, and I am very pleased with this selection.