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Publication Date: 8th November 2025
Publisher: LoonCE
Page Length: 371
Genre: Historical Fiction / Supernatural
London Oxford was prepared to do whatever it took to get to the promised land, but can he get his family safely across the border?
Young Abner Oxford has kept something of his mother's. Something else needs what he has. It's patient, can be quite disarming, and has a monstrous, fierce appetite. Abner and his family, along with a caravan of sleighs, are moving north.
The frigid cold and the blinding white have made the adults slow, weary, and numb. Very few questioned the drag marks in the snow or the mounting number of disappearances. Abner's father felt like that—until it woke him up.
Law says I’m free, but I’m still not white.
London Oxford is determined to do everything possible to keep his family safe. "The Promised Land" is just beyond a treacherous journey filled with biting cold, snow, and strong winds. Keeping his young children close as they begin to explore a new world around them feels almost impossible.
Abner Oxford is not content merely sitting in the sleigh or caring for his younger sisters. He craves adventure and is determined to prove himself as strong and capable as the other men. However, he senses a dark presence surrounding the caravan. It is challenging for him to convince the adults that there may be someone untrustworthy among them, especially since the evidence he has does not seem credible.
"Swallowing the Muskellunge" by Lawrence P. O'Brien follows the journey of a father and son, each navigating their own challenges as they strive to protect those around them.
London and his family face significant challenges as a coloured family in the 18th century. Although he is a free man and his children were born into freedom, due to Massachusetts' ban on slavery in 1783, society still views him as inferior, and his safety outside of their home is not guaranteed. London and his wife, Jane, have worked for the Wright family for years, and they have become accustomed to their roles. However, when the Wrights announce their plans to move away from their family home in search of a new life and legacy in the "Promised Land", London and his family’s future becomes uncertain. This looming unease permeates the narrative, creating tension from the very beginning.
The characters are easy to connect with; London, his wife, and their three children are well-developed and evoke sympathy through their mistreatment and mistrust in society. Their situation is all the more poignant given their reliance on the Wrights' kindness over the years. Although they are essentially in a position of servitude, they enjoy a degree of freedom, and their roles within the Wright household provide them with some security. Outside of the Wrights’ home, proving their freedom would be difficult, and the danger of being mistaken for runaway slaves poses a significant risk if they were to leave.
The Oxford family has been plagued by a dark force for many years. As London shares the story of his father and how his parents became a couple, the truth about what has been haunting the Oxfords gradually begins to unfold. However, for Abner, the past is not the immediate concern; it is the present that presents a much more frightening reality.
The caravan set out with people familiar to Abner, but as they travelled, strangers joined their group. Whether these newcomers can be trusted remains uncertain. Among them is Matthew, a man who came with a group of men to help clear the land and start building once they arrive. But something about Matthew makes Abner uneasy. He never seems to eat, he is always watching, and gradually, men start to disappear. No matter how often Abner is told that the missing men have simply turned back, he cannot accept it and begins to keep a close eye on Matthew. The contrast between Matthew and Abner is stark. While Abner is still a child, Matthew exudes an unsettling authority that Abner believes to be dangerous. For a young boy, especially a young coloured boy in this era, standing up to such a man requires immense courage. People are more likely to believe those who share their skin colour. Despite this, Abner is determined not only to uncover the truth but also to protect his family in the process.
A sense of darkness quickly envelops the pages as you read. The reader gains early insight into the truth behind the peril lurking behind the caravan, but the finer details remain hidden until Abner and London uncover them. This knowledge builds tension rapidly, as readers cannot simply dismiss Abner's concerns as the overactive imagination of a child. The awareness of a lurking danger creates a fast-paced and intense narrative that fully captures the reader's attention, prompting them to turn the pages eagerly in search of the truth and hoping that the characters can uncover it before it's too late.
The author has done an exceptional job of keeping the reader engaged throughout the story, with impeccable world-building and characters crafted with true depth. There are a few punctuation errors that could have been addressed in a final edit; however, they are thankfully rare and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
Matthew is a character who makes your skin crawl as you read about him. On the surface, he seems trustworthy, but as you follow Abner in his investigations, you begin to notice small quirks that suggest he is not as reliable as he appears. Early in the story, even before the caravan sets off, the reader is given clues that Matthew is not what he seems. However, the truth about who—or what—he truly is remains hidden until closer to the end of the novel. The characters are unaware of the danger lurking among them, which creates a heavy sense of unease throughout the pages. As the tension builds and more people begin to disappear, the reader can’t help but lean toward the edge of their seat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
"Swallowing the Muskellunge" by Lawrence P. O’Brien is a novel that explores deep emotional themes and features a diverse cast of characters, from endearing to loathsome. This captivating story, which incorporates supernatural elements, is essential reading for fans of suspenseful narratives.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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