Splintered Reeds

Brackish Waters, Book 1

De: Jodie Cain Smith

Narrado por: Chelsea Stephens

When no one is left to save you, save yourself or die trying.

The one constant in Jules’ life is family—the plentiful Martin clan. Domestic terrorism brought the Martins together under one roof to endure food scarcity, punishing Gulf Coast heat, no electricity, and no indoor plumbing.

One outhouse for twelve people is no way to live, but at least they are safe. For now.

With every setback and stolen dignity, Jules questions whether she wants to survive at all. She keeps the family fed, hunting and fishing along the shores of Mobile Bay while avoiding both US Army patrols and The Knights, a homegrown militia group determined to convert all of Bellefontaine to their radical ideology and rid the seaside community of anyone who stands in their way.

When two members of The Knights set their sights on Jules, violence lands on the Martins’ doorstep, threatening everyone connected to the family.

The one bright spot Jules finds is in a chance meeting with an 11-year-old looter who gives her a new sense of purpose and a reason to survive. She sees herself in the rebel-boy—independent, foolishly fearless, and capable of making costly mistakes.

Will she be able to protect the boy from rising violence? Or will they both become victims?

Deliciously Southern and with a break-neck pace, Splintered Reeds is a timely domestic terrorism thriller that explores the fallout of a divided nation, the strength of family, and the journey through the complexities of grief, and the fight for autonomy in a world turned upside down.

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio

Great local fiction.

I enjoyed this local fiction. I found myself yelling at the main character to go to certain places. Often, local fiction misses the mark on accurate geographic locations. Jodie gets it spot on. Plus, I could see this event taking place in South Alabama.

narrator is terrible, poor accents, overly dramatic.

narration is like nails on a chalkboard. I could probably stand the overly dramatic story if the narrator wasn't hacking up voices and accents.