Fox Creek is a southern plantation in northeast Louisiana, set in the mid 1800’s. It follows the story of Monette, a mulatto child whose white planter father adored and grants all the privileges of favorite child to. When he dies, the planter’s son sends Monette and other slaves from the plantation to the auction blocks of New Orleans, where she is bought by the owner of Fox Creek, as a playmate for his own daughter. She enjoys many of the Big House privileges she has become accustomed to, until the planter’s mother determines she’s become too “uppity.”
While the story is easy reading, it portrays the stereotypes and tropes the general public has come to assign to this period of American History. I found it to be dismissive of the diverse slave population, illustrating them all as unintelligent and fearful. It also portrayed women to be weak and not suited to “unladylike leanings” …anything other than motherhood. It felt like the kind of novels popular in the 1960’s where women and slaves were all portrayed as lustful animals. While the author is a good storyteller, I didn’t care for the story she told.
Fox Creek was published September 1, 2025, by Sly Fox Publishing, LLC. I appreciate the review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Fox Creek is a richly detailed novel set in 1840s Louisiana. It follows a young Monette and Cyrus as they are sold into slavery. Their lives unfold on Fox Creek Plantation, where questions of identity, survival, and belonging shape their experiences.

The author’s extensive research is evident, bringing both the setting and time period vividly to life. The writing is beautiful and immersive with well-developed characters. I especially appreciated the nuanced character dynamics.

That said, the book felt long, and some parts dragged for me. I think some details could have been trimmed without taking away from the story.

As the first in a trilogy, it lays a solid foundation. The cliffhanger ending has me eager to see how the characters and storylines develop in the next book.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for the eBook.

I enjoyed this book overall. I would have enjoyed it much more without the over the top dialects for the Black characters. I liked meeting most of the characters, I found it a little unbelievable in spots, particularly with Monette living in the big house. I could see certain plot devices (the romance) coming, and while I enjoyed it overall, I don't know if I'd recommend it to friends.

Fox Creek is a plantation on the outskirts of New Orleans. The book is set in the mid-1800s. It begins as 6 year old Monette, a mulatto, is sold by her brother into slavery. At this point, the story introduces the Jensey family with the stereotypical spoiled daughter, Kate, and son, Breck. Monette grows up thinking of Kate and Breck as playmates but is eventually rudely awakened to the reality of slaves and plantation owners in the South. The cast of characters also includes a stereotypical grandmother set in her white Southern ways, some lecherous men, some fellow spoiled young adults. The storytelling is so well done as to make the reader feel like she/he is actually there. But I suspect the skilled narrative is due to the laborious, long research of the author. In the author's note, she discusses the 30 year process to writing Fox Creek. I was particularly taken with her description of plantation tours, painting a picture of genteel Southern hospitality while ignoring the historical reality. I had the same experience. Ms. Torrey, kudos to you. I can't wait to read the next installment to see how Breck, Kate, Monette, and Cyrus fare!

FOX CREEK is not just a story; it's a chance to experience life before the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves. It stirs emotions as children are bought and sold as a normal part of commerce. It reminds me of THE KITCHEN HOUSE as history pulls readers into an era when the color of your skin decided your lot in life. I've always loved stories of the Civil War era and the epic changes the US was forced to endure for the good of all. The stories of the people most affected by the war help prevent history from being repeated, even at the most heinous levels of evil. This is an educational and emotional story of historical fiction, meant to be read and shared. Pick a quiet time and plan a binge read.

FOX CREEK
by M. E. Torrey

Another brutal truth of our past—

The setting of this sprawling story is Fox Creek, a plantation in antebellum Louisiana in 1843. William Jensey has just purchased a companion for his daughter, Kate—a biracial young girl named Monette, who was torn from her pampered life and sold into slavery. Also purchased to work at the plantation is Cyrus, a young boy who traveled with Monette and was taken from his mother without her knowledge.

As the story unfolds, and the characters develop over the years, we begin to see how socially imposed “proper” roles shape their identities and relationships.

The novel is beautifully written and emotionally harrowing at times. Fox Creek is a deep and insightful story about the impact of slavery in America. M. E. Torrey’s language is poetic in her descriptions of both characters and scenes. She reflects on different points of view to show how people were affected—both those who were enslaved and those who owned slaves.

I thought the characters were well developed, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC, for the ARC.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A novel that spreads over a decade in the antebellum south. Some unique perspectives from the slave-owners to the the slaves, their different perspectives and transformation with their views on slavery, as well as romance, grieving,, lost memories. Descriptive tale and good at showing the complexity, positives and negatives of multiple characters. An intriguing book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings on this one, I'm sad to say. The author is a great writer. I appreciated her note at the end of the book explaining her hopes that this book will give a more accurate picture of Southern history. While I feel like she made a good effort, I still feel like this book missed the mark in a lot of ways.


SPOILERS AHEAD:
While she did try to give some perspective, I still felt like this book was written more toward white sympathy. I felt like the mistress of the plantation, Sarah, was painted in too positive of a light. Yes she treated the slaves with kindness, but there wasn't enough emphasis on the fact that they were HER SLAVES. Not people she hired to work for her. It was too glossed over. And the Mammy character? I felt like I was going back to the Gone with the Wind days.

The same goes for how she portrayed Kate and Breck - as if the reader should view them fondly because Kate treated Monette as a sister figure & Breck felt like he was in love with her. Monette had no opportunity to decide if she was their friend/lover. They literally owned her.

Although the plantation family were the true villains in this story, they weren't the characters most portrayed as villainous! Why was the runaway slave Sawney portrayed as this scary figure, running around in the dark, burning down property? Why not write a bit from his perspective, the anger and distress he was definitely feeling because he was enslaved? And Fatima? She shouldn't have been abusive to Monette, I'll give the author that - but why was she painted as the evil character and Monette as a type of "hero" when Monette gave away the location of the runaway camp?

The author did a good job showing the dark sides of William & Marshall's characters, but here's the problem - no one would have a hard time seeing them as villains because they were overtly racist. It's the portrayal of the so-called "good" characters. Plenty of people considered themselves "good" - forgetting the fact that they still saw human beings as their property.

I just don't think this book is going to land the way the author hopes it will. I appreciate her effort and I enjoyed her writing style, but this book just wasn't it for me.

The author has written an historical fiction story that has the all the elements of life on a plantation before the Civil War encroaches on their lives. Although it does tease that the storyline will soon develop into that part of history also. We begin by meeting Monette, a young mulatto child whose life is about to change dramatically. Sold into slavery after her father's death, she lives through the auction block and is bought by a family whose daughter, Kate, treats her as a friend and almost family member. At the same time her brother Breck buys the young boy, Cyrus, who had helped Monette through the struggles endured during the journey to New Orleans. The characters who make up the plantation, both the owner-family and some of the slaves, all have a part to play in the telling of this story through love, hate, fear, jealousy and fate. Circumstances that bring about a multitude of emotions bring the characters to life as everyday happenings on the plantation of Fox Creek as they intertwine in a story that is often heartbreaking. Great to have received notice that there will be two more books in this series, as the lives of the main characters have much yet to be written about. Thank you to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #FoxCreek

Fox Creek by M.E. Torrey is an evocative and devastating historical fiction novel that will stay with me for a long time.

This story is set in the 1840s in Louisiana and depicts some of the realities of the time. It focuses on Monette, who becomes enslaved as a young girl, as well as the family that enslaves her.

The biggest compliment I can give this book is that even though it was very long, coming in at almost 500 pages, I wanted much more when it came to an end and would have gladly read another book of the same length continuing to follow Monette's story.

The writing was wonderful and I would definitely read more from this author. The characters were well drawn and I was able to follow along with the multiple threads of the story. I would have liked there to be more focus on some of the characters and events that were briefly touched on. Because of the way that the book ended, I hope that there will be a sequel as the story isn't over. However, it may also be deliberately left up to interpretation.

Thank you very much M.E. Torrey and Sly Fox Publishing for providing a digital advance reader copy via NetGalley in consideration of a possible review. All opinion are my own. Thank you also to NetGalley for the wonderful CampNetGalley event.

Edited to add: I was very excited to find out that Fox Creek will now be a trilogy with the author beginning to work on it immediately. I very much look forward to reading the future novels and continuing Monette's story.

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion .

Wow this book was amazing. It tells the story of the two different sides of slavery from the slave girl Monette who is sold to the Fox Creek plantation and becomes friends with the plantation owners daughter Kate. Whilst the book was a little slow at the start when Monette arrives at Fox Creek the story is so gripping, heartbreaking and eye opening . The disparity between what the plantation family has and what the slaves do not is so worlds apart . Thoroughly enjoyed it and would hope we get another book in this series . Highly recommend 4.5 ⭐️

Where do I even begin? This book was heart wrenching, eye opening, and will have you shedding tears. I absolutely love historical fiction but I have yet to read one that is set in the 1850s and tells the story of slavery.

Fox Creek is a plantation owned by the Jensey family, who has recently purchased Monette and Cyrus at a slave auction. They both have very different experiences on the plantation, and both I will never forget. The writing was beautiful and M.E. Torrey had me feeling like I was right there with everyone throughout their day to day lives. This is a book I will think about for a long time.

The middle was a little slow for me, but otherwise it was a phenomenal read ❤️

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! Pub date is September 1st - if you are a historical fiction fan I highly recommend picking this one up!

Fox Creek contrasts the two faces of slavery through the slaves Monette and Cyrus. Taking place at Fox Creek Plantation in Louisiana, both are sold into the Jensey household at a young age.
Monette was the privileged daughter of the slave owner who is bought to live in her new household as the companion for Kate, the planter’s daughter. Cyrus comes the opposite end of the spectrum and works in the fields. He endures physical labor and harsh punishment. While Monette’s life is easier she endures the psychological toll of constant scrutiny. Neither type of slavery is benign as both children are stripped of freedom and identity that leaves lasting scars. Through all of this they are able to form a close bond.
Torrey captures the cruelty of the system and the resilience of the children. He also introduces the unique perspective of the Jensey’s, owners who feel they are doing right by their slaves. This is part of a trilogy and I look forward to the next in the series. I found Fox Creek to be an emotional and memorable read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers Sly Fox Publishing for an advance copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

Book Review: Fox Creek by M. E. Torrey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve read so many books on slavery, but this one is different. This one is written, mostly from the perspective of the white slave owners. It portrays some characters in a kind light, but brainwashed by religion into thinking that slavery was permissible. How convenient for them. 😡 It also portrays colorism and the tension between house and field slaves. The entire institution turns everyone against each other. Although there have been many books on slavery, they should continue to be told so that we can never forget.

One character in the novel is mentioned in the beginning and he seems to disappear throughout most of the story, making it feel incomplete. I think he should have had more of a role throughout the novel

I’m not going to give a summary of this novel. I will just say that I enjoyed it and I appreciate the extensive research done by the author. Be forewarned that although no book on slavery is happy, this one has some unexpected tragic circumstances that will leave you deeply affected. Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #FoxCreek #Historicalfiction

Fox Creek is a powerful and moving read that tackles a difficult subject with honesty and care. The author does not shy away from the heaviness of the themes, but instead approaches them with sensitivity, weaving together a story that feels both authentic and deeply emotional.

This was honestly a hard book for me to get through at times, not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter itself. It’s heavy, and it lingers — but that’s also what makes it impactful. The characters are well-drawn, layered, and resilient, making it easy to become invested in their journeys. The pacing occasionally slowed for me, but the depth of the storytelling more than made up for it.

This is not a light or easy read, but it is an important one. Readers who appreciate stories that shine a light on painful realities while also offering hope and humanity will find Fox Creek meaningful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

One word come to mind while reading this book -- privilege. Yes, I'm from the North and abhor all slavery stood for. Yes, I believe the South used slavery to promote its own political and economic agenda. No, the North wasn't correct in all things. That being said, one of the first scenes you read in this book is of a young mulatto girl being sold after living a life of loving luxury with her Papa, when he died. Shes put up on the auction block, dressed as she was and with her doll, looking like a little doll, and the plantation owner's children want her. The daughter begs, the son buys. Privilege.

Nonetheless becomes playmate for both children and believes herself a part of the family. A mistake on her part that is soon rectified by the mother of the plantation owner,when she comes across Monette, innocently enough, getting some fresh baked treats for the daughter. Mother beats child with a cane. Privilege. She doesn't approve of "relations" between the gentried whites and the barbaric "darkies." And then we come to the breaking point.

Son develops feelings for Monette, and she him. She is also chaffing under the restrictions now placed upon her as a house slave rather than the playmate for the spoiled daughter. She believes she is better than this, she was the daughter of a plantation ow er, too, so deserves better. What next happens comes as no surprise and yet for all the lack of surprise, is no less heartbreaking. How many lives shattered over a few moments indiscretion.

The different side stories are also sometimes hard to read. Preaching to the slaves from books titled, "Sermons for Servants"?!? Using scripture to keep the slaves downtrodden and in line. Runways and how they're caught and everybody along the line with their hands out waiting for palms to be greased for the.return of the " property."

Its also a slow read, slow build to a flat end. Kind of leaves you hanging.

I have read many books regarding plantations in the deep south during slavery and just like those books but with this book not only do i get the lives of the slaves( i dont like this word) but also the lives of the plantation owners.

This book was eye opening and i recommend to anyone who loves Historical fiction.

Thank you for letting me read this arc. My thoughts are my own

Beautifully written book about Pre-civil war South. Prespectives given from both the plantation owners and the slaves. Many times I felt I was right there beside the narrators.

This book was an instant 5 stars from me, with the characters and historic atmosphere capturing my interest within the first few chapters. A very character driven novel, each of them are well crafted, well-rounded and very well defined, giving a deep look into the mindset of people in this time frame and location, and how casual hatred and racist can cloud the views of people who consider themselves “good”.

The first moment little Monette is on the page, and her innocents and pure childish wonder is ripped away, left me gutted. Each page of her journey, and the growing trepidation for when she would be forced to realize that she was indeed viewed as “lesser” in this new home of hers, left me wanting nothing more than to grab that small child and protect her from that world. The moment Cyrus went into that shop, and never made it back home, left me truly heartbroken for a boy who the world failed. Their growing and maturing under the thumb of slavery was bitter, hallow, and the little sparks of brevity and joy brought a sense of hope to this world.

The depictions of William and Sara, the slave owning patriarch and matriarch of the family, as people who view themselves as good, loving, Christian folk who see nothing wrong with their enslavement of others provided a three-dimensional view of the white characters who could just as easily have been written as one-note and purely racist caricatures. At times the book lulls you in by their charming demeanor, only to abruptly remind you of the horrors that they perpetrate, and justify, on a day-to-day basis. The growing of the children in this environment, particularity Breck’s concerns about “all white boys become their fathers”, and Kate’s very casual acceptance of Monette going from friend to personal servant, provided interesting dynamics to their characters that kept them from becoming flat.

My one minor complaint was that I wasn’t too sure about the passage of time in some of the middle sections. It felt like more time had passed than it had, and at the same time there were moments where I’d missed that months had gone passed, thinking it only a few days. A rather minor nitpick to a book that I overall love and highly recommend to fans of historic fiction.

Honest review given in exchange for an ARC via NetGalley.

The story takes place on the plantation in Louisiana named "Fox Creek". The year is 1843, the Jensey family goes to a slave auction. A young child of six years old is being sold and her name is "Monette". She came from a plantation where a French Creole was a sugar planter. The planation owner had passed and his son sold her. She and a young boy named Cyrus were bought by the family. Cyrus never getting to say goodbye to his mother, he was taken and suddenly sold. Monette became their daughter's playmate. Cyrus was sent to work in the fields, a big boy for his young age.

The time is the Antebellum South, being the old south. The story line has many enslaved people on "Fox Creek". Each having a job to keep the planation running as smooth as possible. The book is penned in four parts from March 1943 to May 1851, a book of trilogy. The family includes Mars Williams, his wife, Sarah, his son, Breck and his daughter Kate. Then twin boys named George William and Thomas Jefferson Jensey born in January of 1844. Mars Williams also raises horses for racing.

I love historical fictions and the time era that this book was penned and reading novels that take place in the south as well. It very difficult to put down, as I wanted to see what was going to happen next with each character in the story line. Thank you M. E. Torrey for you wonderful talent in your penning this first adult book of your writings. I hope to read more historical novels written by you.