Reviewed by Duane Cure
Moneymaker (Brown Hound Publishing 2024) by Josh Boldt is set in the late 1990s. As the story opens, Mack Abbott is tasked with the job of watching after a drug shipment in the port in Savannah, Georgia. From the beginning, Josh Boldt impresses with attention to detail, as he paints a vivid picture of Savannah. Known for its historic charm, cinematic streets, and lush moss-draped trees, the portrayal of Savannah, with its cobblestone streets, old-world charm, and imposing historic mansions, is evocative and rich in atmosphere. However, the novel does not stop at the beautiful facades of the city. Boldt takes great care in exposing the darker corners of Savannah. The tone of the story is somber and filled with an underlying sense of foreboding, creating an atmosphere that is both captivating and unsettling. This is my first foray into reading an historical novel, and it did not disappoint.
The criminal underworld Mack finds himself in is one where power is constantly shifting and where the stakes are life and death. Whether it is the looming threat of the drug cartel, the corrupt officials who turn a blind eye to crime, or the unpredictable nature of Mack’s own allies, there is always the sense that the world Mack is navigating is one where survival is a daily struggle.
This sense of peril adds another layer of intensity to the narrative and underscores the bleakness of Mack’s situation. As he tries to carry out his assignment of watching and maintaining the undercoverings of the operation, he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue and violence. He encounters a variety of characters, each with their own agendas and secrets. There is no true hero or villain in this story—it’s all left to your perception. Andy, a henchman for the boss, looks out for Mack, but only when it pertains to helping the boss. Some of these characters are allies, while others are enemies, but most intriguing, sometimes they become both, as the line between the two is often blurred.
The story has a similar grittiness that prohibition had back in the 1920s and early 1930s. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its leitmotif of loyalty and trust. Trust, in Mack’s world, is a rare commodity. He meets Connie, a navy officer looking to thwart the operation of the cartel but also has Mack’s best interests at heart. At the other end of the spectrum, Mack meets Avery, a club girl who slimes anyone out for a dollar.
Money Maker offers a new view of Savannah as it captures both the city’s beauty and hidden darkness. The evolution of Mack Abbott’s character is one of the most compelling aspects of the novel. Throughout, Mack struggles with his moral compass and false friendships. He attempts to balance his duties to the big boss and his morals as a decent human. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, especially stories that explore the grittier, unsavory parts of society, this novel will not disappoint.
About the Author:
Josh Boldt
Josh Boldt is the author of three novels: Moneymaker, The False Favorite and Slurry. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where he’s hard at work on his next novel.
About the Reviewer:
Duane Cure is from Newnan, Georgia, and graduated from Newnan High School in 2023. He is a student-athlete at Reinhardt University and is on the Track and Field team as a Multi, an athlete who participates in more than one event for a combination of Scores, Decathlon for men, and Heptathlon for women. He loves reading—not non-fiction or novels—but manga or comic panels. He is a huge comic fan and loves superheroes. His favorite characters from the three major comics are Martian Manhunter From DC, Invincible from Image Comics, and Nightcrawler from Marvel Comics.
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