Hear the Dirt Sing

by E. B. Shelton

A fiery cross and a cadre of hooded thugs can’t scare the Robinson sisters away from their Louisiana land. The five unmarried sisters grapple in a man’s world where a woman’s place is inside the home, not behind a plow on a cotton farm.

When Etta May Robinson stumbles over a dead body in their field, a man she knows and fears, the investigation leads to an unexpected reckoning. She has secrets – truths not spoken of in the genteel Southern society of the early 1900s.

When journalist Penny Robinson, the sisters’ niece, returns to the farm to interview them for a human-interest article, she learns more about the women who raised her after her father’s tragic accident. Farm life is harsh for the women, and there are many reasons to sell the land and move away. But the more questions Penny asks, digging into the family history, the more reasons she finds to stay and listen to the dirt sing.

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Lee Sneath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author crafts a vivid sense of place and atmosphere, inviting readers to not just observe but to immerse themselves within the story’s setting through dialogue, her compelling narrative voice, and cultural authenticity. Her writing shows an intimate knowledge of Northeastern Louisiann and its people.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hear the Dirt Sing is verifiably fact based in an era filled with challenges and hard work for survival. The women in this exciting historical fiction book are authentic. Their resilience shines while they independently govern their lives, fight through hard times, and overcome the dangers of their era. Characters come to life on these pages.

Renee

[Tank Gunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hear The Dirt Sing" is a wonderfully written historical fiction novel by talented author and endearing storyteller E. B. Shelton. Right away, I was drawn into the opening scene, smelled the smoke, sensed the fire, and felt the fear of the 5 Robinson sisters who confront a cross burning in their front yard. Who did this and why? With a close bond and shared purpose, these sisters struggle to raise crops on their Louisiana farm in the early 1900s. Filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense, each page kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next to these strong women. Fascinating, authentic dialogue brought every character to life. These women could have been my aunts. You'll treasure this book; you will love "Hear The Dirt Sing".

[Zara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hear the Dirt Sing is a captivating tale of resilience and strength. The Robinson sisters are portrayed with such depth that I felt I was right there with them, battling the societal norms of the early 1900s. The plot twist with the dead body adds a thrilling mystery that kept me hooked from beginning to end. This book beautifully blends historical fiction with elements of suspense, making it a must-read!

[D Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love novels that are historically based. Once I picked up this book and started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I felt like I had stepped back in time and was there as I read.