Burn Down Master’s House - a powerful Civil War-era story depicting the experiences of enslaved people, their spirit and rebellion.

In the time leading up to Civil War, Magnolia Row, a plantation in Goochland, Virginia, is filled with enslaved people clinging to humanity through their connections to one another. Luke and Henri dream of escaping along with Josephine. Their actions will change the course of many lives. In Maryland, Charity Butler fights for the freedom she has legally earned, only to be challenged by an ambitious lawyer. In Charleston, South Carolina, Nathaniel, having purchased his own freedom, builds his own plantation. Instead of showing compassion for those still enslaved, his desire for power leads to become a slave owner himself, including Solomon, a man who had endured years of suffering at Magnolia Row. 

In his debut novel, Burn Down Master’s House, author Clay Cane was inspired by real-life accounts to present a picture of what slavery truly looked like. This graphic and brutally honest story is often hard to read but it is not one to turn away from. Amidst the cruelty, there is love and, ultimately, rebellion. It's the kind of powerful story that makes historical fiction so appealing, no matter how difficult the subject matter. 

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing | Dafina for the opportunity to read this book in advance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: January 27, 2026.

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