The Styx [Hardcover]

Jonathon King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2009

It is legend, the burning of the Styx. For over a hundred years, the destruction of a black community on the blossoming new island of Palm Beach has been folklore. Historic photos prove the Styx existed, but century-old memories muddle the truth of its demise. What happened to a ragtag collection of homes and rooming houses that once sheltered the great Henry Flagler s hotel workers at the turn of the 20th century? The legend is steeped in rumor, but the racism of the age, the uncommon wealth and privilege that came to the wilderness of Florida, and the greedy scramble to grab a piece of a new Eden are undeniable truths. Jonathon King s novel The Styx is a fictional story of what happened in the later years of the 1890 s, when the great migration to Florida changed the state forever. With deft descriptions of New York s Lower East Side, the Wild West towns and villages of a newly discovered Florida, and the majesty of Palm Beach s new Royal Poinciana Hotel, King tells a story of murder and cover-ups, power turned greedy, society women behaving badly, and good people doing what good people must always do to build a real civilization.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“King’s writing is gritty, vivid, and suspenseful.” —Harlan Coben

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Jonathon King is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Max Freeman crime series set in the Everglades and the hard urban streets of Florida. As a police and court reporter for 24 years in Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia he won dozens of journalism awards for investigative, news and feature writing. Of his novel, Shadow Men, James Lee Burke said: Jonathon King captures the intrigue, lyrical beauty, and darkness of the Florida Everglades better than any other writer I know of. His account of corporate greed in the midst of an Edenic paradise is a warning for our times. And Publishers Weekly said of his novel Eye of Vengeance: Veteran journalist King sets this edgy, brooding stand-alone in a milieu he knows well, the world of the professional crime reporter... King s crisp writing and insights into grief and loss give this novel a depth and poignancy unusual for a thriller. In 2002 his first book, The Blue Edge of Midnight, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best first novel by an American author. He has seven published books set in South Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Middle River Press; First Edition, Second printing edition (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981703658
• ISBN-13: 978-0981703657
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, November 24, 2010

By 

J. P. Weimer (Denver) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Styx (Hardcover)

I am a long-term fan of Jonathon King's novels--specifically, the Max Freeman novels such as "The Blue Edge of Midnight", "A Visible Darkness", "Eye of Vengence", etc. I've been periphereally aware of "The Styx" for some time, but could never find it anywhere until just recently, via Amazon. I'm not sure where "The Styx" falls chronologically within the pantheon of King's novels--i.e., the first, somewhere in the middle, whatever, but it is certainly a different kind of book than the Max Freeman tales. However, it is a riveting story that revolves around the destruction of a black community, the Styx, at the turn of the 20th Century when the land rush to Florida was in full bloom. There's an engrossing mystery plot, anchored by a vivid description of the various social strata of that era and of the racism and greed that prevailed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Styx RULES!, September 6, 2010

By 

A. Hallonquist "Mr. Batron" (Stuart, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Styx (Hardcover)

I've long been a fan of Jonathon King. Now I am more than a fan, I am a die hard fan.

I spent this long weekend curled up with this book. The first chapter was a little difficult for me, as I'm used to more contemporary writings. This book takes place around 1903 in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.

But once I got going, I couldn't put it down and finished it today! King's writing style nailed the era perfectly; the New York Irish ex Cop now Pinkerton man, Palm Beach snooty society (that hasn't changed) and beginning of settling the area with it's dirty little secrets (racism for one).

King has outdone himself and this is by far, one of the best books I've read in, well, I can't remember. Being a native Floridian with family that was here since 1919, it brought back many memories of stories my family passed along.

I can see a sequel for Mr. Byrne as well.

I certainly hope so.

Thank you Mr. King!