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A legendary author weaves an improbable tale of revenge in Laurence’s debut historical novel.

That author is Mark Twain, who, in this narrative, regales his fellow passengers aboard the Mississippi steamer Gold Dustwith the tragedy of Karl Ritter, whose wife, Sarah, and daughter, Emily, are killed by a trio of burglars in their Arkansas home during the Civil War. Karl and his brother-in-law, Josef, develop an outrageous plan to exact revenge upon the three men after determining they’re likely hiding among the Confederate soldiers bivouacking in the nearby town of Napoleon. The only clues they have are a bloody fingerprint on a receipt and the knowledge that one of the intruders is missing a thumb. Karl takes on the persona of “Sigmund the Seer,” a fake fortune teller who uses tarot cards and fingerprinting as investigative tools. Josef transforms into Texas horse trader “Joe,” who drinks with soldiers to gain intel for Sigmund. They infiltrate Napoleon and, aided by Wilma, a young sex worker with a heart of gold, they eventually identify the killers. Their mission of vengeance doesn’t go exactly as planned; how truly wrong it goes doesn’t become clear until the twist ending. The author deserves much credit for spinning a riveting yarn that has the feel of a lost work by Samuel Clemens. He brings to life such diverse elements as the Confederacy in wartime and a bizarre German funeral ritual, which somehow seem to fit together. Laurence effectively spreads the narrative over several time periods, ranging from Twain’s steamer ride in the 1880s back to the Civil War as Twain relays Karl’s tale of woe through the years. Karl and Josef are a sturdy, engaging foundation upon which to build (“ ‘I thought all Germans are strong swimmers!’ Karl exclaims. ‘Not in Lower Saxony!’ Josef offers, as an explanation”), as these two good men are conflicted throughout their crusade to execute Sarah and Emily’s murderers, and the surprising conclusion of their tale leaves a lasting impression.

This intriguing novel suggests that it’s impossible to go wrong when Mark Twain is entertaining an audience.