Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Inherit the Lightning

AUTHOR:  Bud Gundy

PUBLISHER:  Bold Strokes Books

LENGTH:  266 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 10, 2022

BLURB:   

Growing up middle-class in Cleveland, Ohio, Darcy O’Brien and his sisters learn they’re about to inherit a long-rumored, immense family fortune from their great-grandfather Cooper Tiller—until a mysterious stranger from New York City swoops in and claims ownership of the estate.

When his lawyer forbids Darcy from confronting the interloper, it only fuels his determination to protect their rightful inheritance. In many ways a mirror of Coop—a masculine, hard-charging businessman from the early 20th century—Darcy’s uncertain about his ability to find love with the right man, but he secretly longs for Jake Tester and allows him to join his quest.

The journey will change their lives as they uncover Coop’s epic tale, unraveling a seventy-year-old family secret that forces Darcy to face his fears and leads to a breathtaking discovery waiting more than a century to be unearthed.

REVIEW:   

Inherit the Lightning is an epic novel that spans 120 years. This fantastic book contains two stories in one: the first is that of Cooper Tiller, who earned a fortune from his coal mine and embarked on an all-encompassing, same-sex love affair as a young man in the late nineteenth century. The second story is about Cooper’s great grandson, thirty-six-year-old Darcy O’Brien, whose grandmother’s recent death spurred him on a quest to find the mystery person asserting they have a claim on Darcy’s nine-figure inheritance. The narrative hops between present day and the historic era in alternating chapters. The non-linear format is easy to follow.

At its heart, this is Coop’s story beginning when he was fourteen, living and working on his family’s small Ohio farm. He left the farm on his own and set out for Lightning Mountain, a property he acquired where he hoped to find coal. Along the way, he met and fell in love with Will, another young man living on his own. Eventually, Coop found coal on their land and it changed their lives forevermore, for better or worse. We then follow along with Coop as he grew older and became a very wealthy man. We witness his business ventures, his intimate relationship with Will, and other family relationships. If I go into more detail, I’ll spoil the happenings so I’ll leave it at that.

It’s a riveting, historic tale with memorable characters, from the neighboring farmers to Elmer the hillbilly who Coop once hitched a ride with, to endearing Will whom I love so much. Both Coop and Will are wonderful, well-developed characters. My favorite part of the book takes place on Lightning Mountain. When Coop and Will first arrive, they have almost nothing but Will teaches Coop how to build a cabin, catch fish and trap animals for meat and their pelts. The proceeds from trapping sustain them as they live off the land, a utopian existence for them. When they’re not working, they spend their time lazily on their lake just cherishing each other. They experience all the heightened emotions of first time, young love. But given the time in history, they had to stay closeted, of course.

Moving forward to the present, Darcy is disgruntled to learn of the challenge to his grandmother’s estate. Recent years have been hard on Darcy. Both parents died of Covid-19, and he was living a wild life in San Francisco. Returning to Cleveland gives him the opportunity to learn more about his history, in particular Cooper Tiller. Darcy forms a tentative relationship with his late grandmother’s gardener, Jake, and they travel together to New York City to find answers. This plotline is interesting but the story fell flat with the budding romance. Unfortunately, hardworking, unsophisticated Jake is a one-dimensional character and their relationship is severely underdeveloped. I felt very little chemistry between the two men.

The beautiful world building is a highlight of the novel, from the farm to the mountain to Cleveland. The imagery of Lightning Mountain and the boys’ rudimentary cabin on the lake makes their idyllic life feel real. Authenticity of the period is achieved with the exploration of race and class issues. We see the change of attitude toward Coop from when he was a poor farm boy to the wealthiest man in the county with people fawning all over him. Homosexuality was dangerous so Coop an Will had to project the image of business partners. Later in the story, the difference in acceptance of same-sex relationships over the years is striking. The use of visual imagery is consistent in the current day story when Darcy returns to his grandmother’s mansion (formerly Coop’s) on the shores of Lake Erie. He moves from room to room admiring the home’s artistry and architectural details, built to Coop’s standards two generations before.

Although Elmer’s appearance is brief, he adds sparkle to the story when he spins his yarns and treats Coop to a picnic of cider and cheese as they travel though the Appalachian foothills. Elmer has a big heart and a big personality that add humor to the story.

By the end of the book, Coop is rewarded with a hard-earned happy ending, whereas Darcy’s story ends with an HFN. He unlocks the mystery of the stranger and how they fit into the family history. He’s able to piece everything together largely through photos Coop left behind. But he and Jake didn’t establish a significant relationship, yet. There’s not enough substance for me to imagine their future. I found Coop’s storyline much more complex and compelling than Darcy’s.

There’s a very sad part of the book that left me heartbroken. It’s the kind of ache that stays with you all day long. If you like to give your tear ducts exercise, you’ll be pleased.

All in all, this is a beautiful, grand novel that will be of particular interest to readers who enjoy historical fiction and family history. When Darcy puts all the puzzle pieces together, it makes for a rewarding conclusion. Highly recommended.

RATING: 

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