From the Foothills to Fiction – A short novel Breach of Trust by Philip Tate

What if a quiet town in the mountains of North Carolina held secrets buried deeper than gold?

In the short novel Breach of Trust, Philip Tate answers that question with a story where small-town life collides with Civil War history, and a splash of mystery. This short novel was centered around Asheville in 1860, but it isn’t only about war — it dissects choices, fidelity, and the unthinkable lengths some will go to protect their loved ones.

This is a book you want to pick up if you are seeking both local flavor and epic scope!

A Story Born from a Mountain Question

In the short novel Breach of Trust Philip Tate reflects a broader setting than assumed at first glance. Philip Tate did not set out to write this specific tale to dazzle readers. His primary idea stemmed from pondering on the bankers in Asheville: What would they do with their vaults of gold once the Union started disbanding?

Would they hand it over? Hide it? Trade it? The essence behind Breach of Trust’s genesis lies within such simplistic ponderings and countless other ideas waiting to bloom.

The story begins softly yet intensely, set in Asheville during the winter. North-South tensions are heating up. A young banker’s assistant named Susan Jackson is at the center, entrusted with sending a note to initiate the covert transfer of the bank's gold reserves. 

Meet Susan Jackson: More Than Just a Banker

Susan dazzles at 27. She is intelligent, loyal to her town, and deeply embedded in Asheville's society. She works as an executive officer at the local bank and serves on several boards in the region's social scene. She is also set to marry her fiancé, Paul Edgars, a deputy sheriff, but she is restless around the edges.

Through her perspective, we witness everything from her anxiety about the town’s impending change across the political spectrum. As tension rises, we hear her voice when things go wrong. With lies turning into truths with every tick of time and twists, our dear Susan benefits from them by asking unanswerable questions, willingly dancing with uncertainty fueled by curiosity.

She’s relatable for most - down-to-earth but witty and courageous— a character you cheer for endlessly.

Gold Moves, and Trouble Follows

The plot in the short novel Breach of Trust Philip Tate begins to develop with the actions of Eunice Webster, the bank's president. She orchestrates a gold transfer in the dead of night because the operation is intended to be inconspicuous. It also turns out that there are shady motives behind performing these operations incognito. The gold is replaced with counterfeit coins and kept in stashed-away locations known only to a handful of people.

One of those few is Sewakhony, a Cherokee warrior whose duty includes helping conceal the gold in a secret cave close to Soco Gap. But things get interesting when the treasure hauler, Socon Philips, turns up worm food.

Who did all this now morphs into who knew about it, and why was someone needed to eliminate them?

Murder in the Mountains

Socon’s murder has quickly become a mystery after its sharp yet simple conclusion. He contains no struggle scars or remnants of violent altercations, suggesting he experienced naught but calm termination via singular impact. 

Accompanied by intriguing ritualistic mourning ornaments such as feathers and coinage, and serene etchings upon his form, revealing markings. Paul Edgar comes into the picture here.

The unresolved murder in the short novel Breach of Trust Philip Tate keeps piquing his curiosity, particularly when a conspiracy hinges on a deeper focus.

A Love Story That Grounds the Chaos

With constant secession stressors, plummeting gold reserves, and wartime rumors, Susan and Paul's relationship remains unwavering.

Alongside fantasy lies stark reality, and they must make life-altering decisions, including marriage, motherhood, personal safety, a collective family stride towards life, and their legacy. After learning about her pregnancy, Susan faces an even bigger challenge: deciding if Paul should enlist in the war or if he's better off staying home with her. 

At its heart lies their love story. While not flawless by any measure, their journey remains rooted in sincerity, tethered together, offering warm comfort within turbulence.

The Author Behind the Pages: Philip Tate

Unlike many authors, Philip Tate did not work in a literary environment while growing up. Instead - he spent his childhood in Marion, North Carolina, listening to family stories and exploring the mountains. He has lived abundantly from Navy Midshipman to Minister, adding a much-wanted flavor to this story.

Philip’s debut novel is Breach of Trust. The short novel Breach of Trust Philip Tate is a piece for him—it especially strikes home because it puts women at the heart of history, revealing ageless courage in navigating the fear of everything collapsing around them without any glory or admiration.

You can learn more about him at the website of Author Philip Tate.

A Few Highlights You’ll Love

The Setting Feels Real

Even if one hasn’t been to Asheville yet, and prepared for unfiltered immersion via Tate’s eyes, he doesn’t miss a chance to praise Western North Carolina.

Short, But Fulfilling

Short novel Breach of Trust Philip Tate is just over 100 pages long, and I must say it was a quick read. It was time well spent, and the book felt rich in meaning and meticulously crafted.

Tension Without the Commotion

As slow burns go, this isn't a shoot-'em-up war novel but tackles topics like romance and moral dilemmas.

A Story That Feels Close to Home

In many regards, Philip Tate feels like the raconteur he has become thanks to his life experiences. In the short novel Breach of Trust, Philip Tate pulls you into its world through Phillips' richly woven words, making down-to-earth yet deeply engaging tales from the Blue Ridge feel visceral.

If you search for a subtle plot set against the wholesome backdrop of history, with heartfelt emotions flowing throughout, look no further than Breach of Trust. It delivers all that and more.

Quiet people often have the most powerful stories to tell because they write from their hearts, not noise.