Fish Springs: Beneath the Surface

by Michael Manuel, Larry C. Timbs Jr.

Could someone commit murder with a rattlesnake? Fish Springs is a story of romance and jealousy, unbridled desire, unseemly deaths, faith in the Almighty and the atrocities of slavery and racism. In the remote mountain communities of East Tennessee, people lived their lives raising livestock and crops, hunting the abundant wildlife, keeping home fires burning and selling their wares at the few stores in their community. They fought in our nation’s wars and, by the grace of God, returned home. Through it all, they loved, worked, lusted, worshipped, deceived, and even killed. Some harbored dark secrets. One such grisly secret could still be hidden below the surface of Watauga Lake—if not for this story. “Fish Springs is a rare and intimate story with powerful complex characters that bring out emotional elements we want to see move from page to screen.” —Belle Avery, Exec. Producer of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, w/ Philip Seymour Hoffman “Searing tale examining themes from jealousy and revenge to social impropriety and compassion, along with racial injustice and uncommon racial harmony.” —The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C. “A long-told tale of love, war and a snake gets a novel treatment. ... (But) this could be more than the plot for a novel. It just might be a true story ...” —Ashley Rader, Elizabethton Star, Elizabethton, TN “If you love a great story, then you’ll love Fish Springs with its Civil War backdrop and an unusual, suspicious death that’s at the heart of the story. It’s hard to put down.” —Dave Osborn, Las Vegas Review-Journal “It’s a story about passion, pain, war and murder. But it’s also a story about a little-known community in Northeast Tennessee that time—and hundreds of thousands of gallons of water—have almost washed away. … From prisoners being guided across state lines to local legends about a love triangle and a suspicious death, Fish Springs offers no shortage of history.” —Max Hrenda, Johnson City Press, Johnson City, TN “The novel is entertaining and a little mysterious. It’s easy to wonder what’s true.” —Dudley Brown, Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, SC “Flows as steadily as the Watauga River where much of the story is centered. The reader can easily get a true sense of living through each moment right along with the characters. The characters are complex and the lives they lead are certain to keep readers glued to the pages wondering what will happen next.” —Lacy Hilliard, The Tomahawk, Mountain City, TN “Manuel and Timbs write honestly and sometimes humorously, easily gliding into back-stories about their mountain characters in a style reminiscent of Pat Conroy through his coastal characters and scenes. … the dialect is fast paced and advances the plot so effectively that one would think he is watching the drama unfold in a mini-series. … Romantics will love this tale, but so, too, will Civil War historians.” —Bessie M. Meeks, Lake Wylie Pilot, Lake Wylie, SC “Beneath the surface lies the soul of every human being.” —The Rev. Bruce Simcox, Mountain City,

274 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2014

Reviews

[Jordan Higginbotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad had actually suggested this book to me because the setting is in a part of Tennessee we love to vacation in. Fish Springs refers to the “underwater city” at the bottom of the Watauga Lake in East Tennessee. Though, the book does not give details on how this happened, the stories are wonderfully captivating. It was definitely hard to put down. If you enjoy historical function, I definitely recommend it!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this book sitting upon a grocery store's customer service counter. The title and the description on the back cover peaked my interest. This historical fiction, based on a true story, has family, love, war, jealousy, marriage, death... It was a very good read. I would recommend, especially to people who like historical fiction.

[Angela Mauney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Reportedly based on historic events. Lots of drama, love, and suspense. Ends on a twist. Loved it.