SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

A historical novel tells the story of bootleggers operating on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Prohibition.

In 1920, Biloxi, Mississippi, is referred to as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” But behind this moniker exists a town that thrives on illegal rum-running activity. At the center of this perilous underworld is Theodore Desporte, a man who, in 1874, snatched control of his father’s packing plant and built an empire founded on seafood and contraband. The town is rife with corruption, and even Biloxi Police Chief George Bills is open to cutting deals with the bootleggers. Theodore has firm plans to pass control of the town to his son, Ernest. But Ernest is unwilling to act as his father’s puppet and is keen to run things his own way. The novel also tells the story of those who man the rum-running ships that arrive in Biloxi from various locations in the Caribbean. As competition escalates, the Gulf of Mexico sees the rise of piracy, with contraband liquor being taken at gunpoint. One of the victims of piracy is the first officer of the Sea Glen, John Martin, who later becomes a captain hell-bent on taking revenge on those who pillaged his ship. As powerful forces struggle for control of Biloxi and the sea, Assistant Attorney General Mabel Willebrandt arrives in town—she’s famous for her “ongoing battles to fight the demon liquor.” Can Biloxi remain a bootleggers’ paradise and, if so, who will control the town?

Byrd’s ambitious narrative is punctuated with passages of contemplatively poetic descriptions: “Silence is not the word for what happens between the conversations on a sailboat. The water sloshes as it breaks against the hull. The wind whistles softly as it fills the sails.” The author also exhibits a firm grasp of Biloxi’s history, with real-life figures, such as Mayor John Kennedy, making cameo appearances. Unfortunately, too many characters crowd the plot, making for unnecessary confusion. For instance, numerous players called John are included. Furthermore, the author rarely writes memorable introductions for his characters, causing readers to repeatedly check back to ascertain who’s who. When Byrd simply mentions “Desporte” in the story, it is sometimes unclear whether he is referring to the father or the son. The chapters are frustratingly short, meaning the narrative never rests in one location for long, making for a fragmented tale. Still, Byrd manages to generate a high degree of suspense, such as the buildup to Martin’s ship being ransacked. Unfortunately, the author evades describing the action by having Martin knocked out, only to awaken after the raid is over. Byrd often misses the opportunity to inject energy into a novel that features quiet plotting and insufficient drama. A story that reveals the internal workings of liquor-running during Prohibition—from the kingpins to the smugglers they command—is an enticing premise. But with the book’s numerous subplots and countless players, there is a sense that Byrd is trying to juggle too many balls at once, resulting in a difficult and often perplexing read.

An intriguing, poetic rum-running tale that’s hampered by a surplus of characters and subplots.