Memphis in Our Hearts

Jackie Griffey
Zumaya Publications (2003)
ISBN 189486994X
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (8/06)

“Memphis in Our Hearts” is a refreshing look back to the post Civil War era, when life just seemed to be a little less hectic and everyone moved at a slower pace.  Horse and carriage was the mode of travel on land while riverboat carried travelers between major port cities.  News was obtained by the weekly newspaper.  Imagine a world without the noise of cars, planes, and blaring radios.  Such tranquility!

Griffey’s novel allows the reader to follow the undertakings of three families who play major roles in a town along the river in this old-fashioned time period - the Allen family just recently purchased the riverboat line, the Sutton family owns and runs the weekly newspaper, and the LeMare family operates the local restaurant.

Jamai Allen and Susanna Scott are two young ladies returning home by boat from England, via the Delta Belle, where they have been attending art school.  With a decorating certificate, Jamai envisions herself back home in Memphis obtaining a job and a rewarding career which is almost unheard of in this era unless a woman is a nurse or a teacher.  She also has no intentions of marrying simply because it’s expected of her, unlike Susanna, unless she truly falls in love. While the war is over, there still remains unrest and the young ladies encounter a Union Soldier, referred to as the blue pest, who appears to be stalking Jamai and Susanna.

While glad to be home again in Memphis, life is different even though the political unrest has died down.  Jamai finds herself a job at the local newspaper and also meets the handsome and arrogant Lou Sutton who sweeps her off her feet.  Yellow fever reaches epidemic proportion, and Jamai’s family flees to St. Louis. Before the evacuation, the family takes an adventuresome trip by tugboat to New Orleans, complete with a river pirate attack.  Jamai and her family also help a good friend who has been accused of murder.  Always the proper lady, Jamai’s escapades are exciting, frightening, daring and bold.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you should enjoy “Memphis in Our Hearts.”  In particular, I think females in the teen years and beyond will find this novel most enjoyable.  The heroine Jamai is a positive role model for the younger readers while the post Civil War era setting might ring familiarity with the oldest of readers.  It is also gratifying to see all characters show great respect for each other, unlike so many books these days.  Mrs. Griffey obviously did some research before writing her book, for it appears historically accurate.  I thoroughly recommend “Memphis in Our Hearts” by Jackie Griffey.  The colorful cover is eye-catching too which only adds to the total appeal.

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