Darkness Dwells in Dixie

A few months ago, I read the classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The story was gripping and the characters felt like people I knew. As I was reading Mike Reynold’s “Darkness Dwells In Dixie,” I thought that his book was every bit as good. My wife is now reading it and can’t put it down. -Amazon Review

Darkness Dwells in Dixie

“What really happened to Willie Crow in the swamps of the Apalachicola River that day? Was it murder, an accident, or something else…

Set in a small town in Florida’s panhandle, and based on a true story, young Mickey Crow is determined to uncover the secrets his mother, Dixie Mae, and his family have long hidden. He relentlessly exposes the murky past of two families through three generations entangled by marriage, betrayal, and violence.

As Mickey tries to protect his brother and mother from the brutal man who raised him, he does something he fears even God could never forgive.

Mike E Reynolds weaves a jarring yet moving 1950’s and 1960’s coming of age story set in a small town near Florida’s Apalachicola River swamp and the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. Filled with grit and grace, this riveting tale reminds us that faith and forgiveness are ultimately more powerful than the darkness within.

“Mike Reynolds makes a bold showing that clearly places him at the forefront of his generation by authentically capturing the Southern culture in which he grew up. What a great conclusion to a riveting journey.” –Duane K Estill, Minister, Author of A Tin Can Cosmos
“Mike Reynolds has crafted a taut and tense narrative peopled with characters each wrestling with the peculiar demons of violence, loss, and identity. Well written, compelling, and ultimately uplifting.” –Greg Fields, author of Through the Waters and the Wild, and Winner of the 2022 Independent Press Award for Literary Fiction
“A riveting tale of family secrets and unhealed trauma. Reynolds gives us an often difficult yet inspiring story that demonstrates human resilience in the face of trauma.” –Janyne McConnaughey PhD, Trauma-informed author of Trauma in the Pews, Brave, Brave Childhood, and A Brave Life
“The street level writing is not for the easily offended. Then again, neither is the Bible. This is humanity in God’s unblinking spotlight. Darkness Dwells in Dixie is well worth the time.”
–Jerry Wilson, author of God’s Not Dead (And Neither Are We), and host of “Cephas Hour”
“Darkness Dwells in Dixie is a gripping story full of real character- and emotion-driven storytelling. The historical and cultural context Reynolds provides audiences offers an intense read. Definitely a book worth reading!” –Garrett K. Jones, author of The Archives of Icínq-Régn

About the Author

Mike Reynolds writes fictionally about what he knows, where he’s lived, and what he’s experienced with an ease that comes with familiarity.

Born in the small town of Bainbridge, Georgia-which is just over the Florida Panhandle line where Georgia and Florida come together-and raised in Florida, Mike’s blue collar upbringing exposed him to a lot of hard working honest people, but also to the seedier side of life there. He grew up in a violent and abusive home, and one in which alcoholism played a major role in day-to-day life. But Mike was able to break free of the abusive cycle and become a successful business owner and entrepreneur.As the child of an Air Force flight instructor, Mike’s family moved around a lot, creating even more fodder for his stories. He served in the Navy for six years, married young and had three daughters, but the marriage ended in divorce. Later, marrying a woman with three sons, Mike’s family kept him busy.

Mike worked in the mortgage industry for 40 years, eventually opening his own mortgage company, which he ran for 10 years and employed scores of people. He finds it humorous that it was in his position in that company where his talent for writing was honed. He had always been a good storyteller-people invited him to dinner parties because they wanted to hear his stories-but writing daily to weekly inspirational memos to his many employees garnered a lot of positive response. This added to his confidence.

Mike retired in 2016 and began writing in earnest.Now enjoying retirement, when Mike’s not writing, he’s spending time with his six kids and sixteen grandchildren. Having been in a Christian rock band for many years, he still plays guitar and is teaching himself to play the blues. He and his beloved Annette enjoy their many friends in the beautiful hamlet of Glendora, California.

“Darkness Dwells in Dixieis a captivating read of a young, abused, and broken Mickey setting out at age eight to find the truth of his very existence. He coexists with half-truths and outright falsehoods for nearly two decades in his search. … In the end, after many personal struggles, the reader will marvel at the simplicity in which author Mike E Reynolds brings you so comfortably to a very self-satisfying and soft landing.” Review: Ron Hughart, Author