WELCOME
​​Discover the Intriguing World
of Historical Fiction
with John Marino
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Meticulously researched historical fiction mysteries and thrillers that seamlessly weave unique, lesser-known real-life figures into the narrative with masterful precision.
Each Historical Fiction includes a real-life figure.
A Laura Jensten Historical Mystery
Summer Deception
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A Laura Jensten Historical Mystery
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A dazzling 1922 tale meticulously researched and vividly accurate portrait of the Roaring Twenties—as Laura Jensten and her team lead you on an exhilarating journey of truth, danger, and determination.
At the center of our story is Laura Jensten: bold, defiant, and unlike most women of her time. When she teams up with a real-life historical figure to uncover a sinister web of corruption hidden beneath the town's charming surface, they find themselves entangled in secrets buried deep within old tunnels and deeper in political deceit. As fear creeps in and allies begin to fall away, Laura is left to face the darkness alone. Can she expose the truth before it's too late?
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Laura embodies the spirit of change, shaped by history and determined to reshape it. Though the 19th Amendment had just granted women the right to vote in 1920, equality was still elusive. Laura's fight was never just about journalism or justice—it was a battle to be seen, heard, and carve space in a world reluctant to make room for women with ambition.
Her defiance, courage, and refusal to be silenced echo the quiet revolution led by countless women of the era—pushing boundaries, rewriting roles, and forging new futures. In Laura, we find not only a journalist and investigator but also the unwavering voice of change in a time that needed it most.
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Find out about Mr. George
The Mavericks from Zacatecas
"The Mavericks from Zacatecas" delivers a vivid, historically accurate portrayal that intertwines rich character development with a compelling narrative. As the Mavericks face the challenges of racial and cultural displacement, their unwavering resilience and bold defiance emerge against the backdrop of their era, revealing incredible strength and courage—especially after their fateful encounter with Mr. George. Each character offers a unique perspective, enhancing the story with diverse experiences and challenges and providing readers with an immersive and authentic historical adventure.
Coming in August
Cotton Dust
In the South
In the bustling 1920s, Savannah's cotton mills stood tall as pillars of the local economy and symbols of Southern prosperity. Their looms and spinning machines hummed with the promise of industry and progress. But behind the clamor of modern ambition lay a darker truth: mill workers, including women and children, toiled in sweltering, dust-choked rooms under dangerous conditions. Grueling hours, meager pay, and the ever-present risk of respiratory illness haunted their daily lives. Brown lung disease, though not yet named, crept silently through the mill floors, scarring lungs and shortening lives with every breath of cotton-laced air.
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Amid this atmosphere of hardship, a fragile sense of community bloomed. Workers leaned on one another, bound by the shared struggle for survival. Their camaraderie was a quiet rebellion—a refusal to be broken by a system that demanded much and gave little in return.
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Decades later, Laura Jensen and Jack Palmer, two relentless investigative journalists, return to Savannah to uncover the long-buried legacy of these mills. Armed with old photographs, forgotten medical records, and interviews with surviving family members, they dig into a past the city would rather forget. What begins as a historical piece soon unravels into something more urgent: evidence of systemic negligence, government indifference, and corporate silence.
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As Laura interviews elderly former mill workers and Jack tracks down descendants of child laborers, they uncover stories of resilience and injustice—of children pulled from school to feed the looms, of women silenced when they spoke of illness, and of lives shaped by invisible fibers that clung to the lungs long after the whistle blew.
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Their investigation not only illuminates a silent epidemic but also challenges the narrative of industrial triumph. It asks a hard question: What was the true cost of progress—and who paid it?
With every step deeper into the archives and mill ruins, Laura and Jack move closer to exposing a truth still relevant today: behind the machinery of growth lies a human toll too often forgotten.
What are they saying about Marino's books?
​About the Author
​ John Marino
As a passionate new writer, I'm thrilled to share my unique perspective on the captivating 1800s and early 1900s. This incredible era is filled with monumental challenges and extraordinary achievements, as well as its people's remarkable resilience and determination. Despite relentless struggles, men and women forged ahead, striving for a brighter future for themselves and their families. My novels, born from extensive research, ensure that this vibrant historical period is depicted with accuracy and flair!
Through my historical fiction, I bring to life the inspiring stories of real individuals who contributed to the United States. Often overlooked, their journeys are essential to our nation's history. They bravely faced discrimination and the perils of unregulated industries, and their unwavering spirit and sacrifices have profoundly shaped our country. These hard-won achievements are our admiration and remembrance!
With vivid historical details, I invite you to step into their world and witness their struggles, triumphs, and unbreakable resolve. As you dive into my books, I encourage you to reflect on their perseverance and discover how their experiences, though from a different time, can provide valuable insights for navigating our modern challenges. These historical lessons are not just echoes of the past; they hold timeless relevance and can provide us guidance in today's world.