I'm so glad that I chose to read this book before reading any of the book reviews that discussed its literary prose value. I fully admit to have lived in Savannah for the past ten years and probably read it for curiosity value moreso than desire to read another historical fiction. However, I had great difficulty putting this book down to work or sleep. I found the characters and plot most riveting. I found myself asking friends and co-workers that are native to Savannah about the events and descriptions of the town in earlier days, only to determine the extreme accuracy of depictions. I, too, will be awaiting the sequel eagerly.