The Promise

The Promise by Lois Sockol, published by AuthorHouse in July 2003, is a work of fiction that spans 232 pages. This narrative follows a young lawyer who returns home from World War II to establish his law practice while managing his family’s farm. The story unfolds around the tenant farmer’s family, exploring life in a small town during the 1940s, marked by events such as a rabid fox epidemic, a snake-handling church service, and a trip to Atlanta in 1945.

Readers will encounter a blend of suspense and humor as the plot thickens with the mysterious murder of a popular sheriff and the wrongful framing of an innocent turpentine worker. The young lawyer, inexperienced yet determined, is appointed to defend the accused, leading to a dramatic trial filled with unexpected twists. The narrative also delves into personal struggles, including the preacher’s wife’s miscarriage and the complications that arise when a nurse begins to flirt with the preacher-farmer. This edition presents a vivid portrayal of the era, capturing the complexities of small-town life and the challenges faced by its characters.