Welcome
The Devil Plays Six Strings
Web Home for
the Written Works
of
Vince Pinkerton
The Devil Plays Six Strings
Elijah Parker is desperate.
His wife is dead, his newborn son is starving and he has given up hope.
Only a miracle can save Elijah and his son,
But sometimes miracles come at a cost.
Life in 1930 for a down-on-his luck black man provides more challenges than Elijah Parker ever imagined. It had been hard enough caring for himself and his wife, but now, she’s gone and he has the sole responsibility of rearing their baby boy, Happy.
A few folks show them kindness, but everywhere Elijah turns, hate abounds—mostly directed at the color of his skin. He tries to do things right—just how his late wife had told him the Good Book said he should act. She believed in the words in her Bible, but Elijah has a hard time understanding and trusting them.
His life finally takes a promising turn when he meets a man who guarantees him a successful future with plenty of food and a place to live for him and his boy. All he asks for in return is that Elijah play his guitar and sing a few songs.
Something deep inside him blares a sense of warning, but Elijah and Happy are starving and this looks like the only way they can survive. Elijah signs a contract in blood. From that point on, he wishes he had listened to his heart.
Reviews and Comments
I couldn’t stop reading!
Vince Pinkerton’s debut novel, The Devil Plays Six Strings, had me turning the pages as quickly as I could. The compelling story drove me to find out what happened next. Mr. Pinkerton’s gifted writing ability kept me enthralled with the characters. He brought them to life and made them real, and when awful things happened, I felt it.
This was by no means a feel-good read. There were no pixies and ponies—there were dark characters who made my skin crawl, and horrible things that happened to people I came to care about. I wanted them to succeed, and I cheered them on, page after page.
This story was a true battle between good and evil, and unfortunately, desperation took the main character down the wrong path. Sadly, his poor choices also affected his son. Even with all the gut-wrenching turmoil, I highly recommend this riveting book. It definitely held my interest.
Jeanne Hardt – Historical Fiction Author
The pounding beat of this book will rip your heart out with its fast tempo on page after page. Most likely you will discover how much you’re like many of the people, caught on a wheel that spins out of control as it increases its speed and the music plays.
John Coomer - UMC Ministered (Retired)
Although this is Vince Pinkerton’s first book, The Devil Plays Six Strings will not be his last. He’s good! Good at characters that seem to pack you in their hip pockets and take you along to interesting and unexpected places and introduce you to characters you’ll never forget.
By turns, The Devil Plays Six Strings is provocative, rich in detail, and inventive in its story line. It will hold your attention. The story—and all important books are, in fact, story—is rooted in Biblical truth. But make no mistake, it’s earthy and even irreverent at times.
Everyone loves surprises … and you’ll find those suck-in-your-breath moments that will keep you reading right up to, and including, the epilogue.
Sue Buchanan - Literary consultant and author of fourteen books
Enjoyed this book very much! Vince Pinkerton paints a vivid picture of a man, the choices he makes, and why. Life is often lived not in black and white, but in the gray. Also a very visual book, giving the reader the ability to see, and to feel, Elijah and Happy's surroundings. Good read from cover to cover, and can't wait for the next book from Vince Pinkerton!
Mark Mills - Singer/Songwriter
The Devil Plays Six Strings" is a work of fiction by Vince Pinkerton. He says, "I have used The Bible, Scripture and Religion in general as a character in the story." YES and IMHO VERY, VERY well. I think you will enjoy this first novel by a very talented young man.
Jim Vaughn
Vince Pinkerton's story unfolds so effortlessly and is a real page turner. I highly recommend both the book and the author; I just purchased the sequel from Mr. Pinkerton and am very eager to read it! A+++
Kathy -