Tuesday, 10 February 2026

History often records events, but fiction has the power to reveal their human cost,

 



History often records events, but fiction has the power to reveal their human cost. Cobblestones – A New Orleans Tragedy by S. R. Perricone is a novel that steps into the shadows of a turbulent era and asks the reader to look closely at what is usually left unsaid.


✔️ Historical fiction rooted in real events

✔️ Post-Reconstruction New Orleans setting

✔️ Immigration, identity, and prejudice

✔️ Inspired by a true and tragic chapter of history

✔️ Gritty, atmospheric storytelling







Check out the blurb:

The turbulent history of Post-Reconstruction New
Orleans collides with the plight of Sicilian immigrants seeking refuge in America.

Antonio, a young man fleeing Sicily after avenging his father's murder, embarks on a harrowing journey to New Orleans with the help of Jesuit priests expelled from his homeland. However, the promise of a fresh start quickly sours as Antonio becomes entangled in a volatile clash of cultures, corruption, and crime.

In the late 19th century, Italian immigrants in New Orleans faced hostility, exploitation, and a brutal system of indentured servitude. Antonio becomes a witness to history as a bitter feud over the docks spirals into violence, culminating in the assassination of Irish police chief David C. Hennessy. The ensuing trial of nine Italians and the shocking lynching of eleven innocent men ignited international outrage, threatening to sever ties between the United States and Italy.

Caught in the crossfire of prejudice and power struggles, Antonio fights to survive while grappling with his own past and future. His journey weaves a gripping tale of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring hope for justice. Cobblestones: A New Orleans Tragedy is a poignant reminder of the human cost of intolerance and the courage it takes to rebuild a life from ashes.


Discover Cobblestones – A New Orleans Tragedy, available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover. The #Kindle edition is currently priced at only £0.99.
You can pick up your copy HERE.


Sal Perricone, a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans with a BA (1975) and JD (1979), has dedicated his career to law enforcement, legal practice, and public service. Beginning as a sergeant with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, he progressed to detective with the New Orleans Police Department before practicing law privately in New Orleans. In 1985, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Supervisory Special Agent, specializing in financial crime investigations and organized crime.

In 1991, Sal Perricone transitioned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where he served as Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force and Senior Litigation Counsel until retiring in 2012. Over his illustrious career, he prosecuted significant cases involving La Cosa Nostra, public corruption, and white-collar crime. He earned numerous accolades, including multiple Director’s Awards and the Attorney General’s Award for his role in establishing the Katrina Fraud Task Force.

An adjunct professor at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, Sal Perricone has trained law enforcement professionals across the nation. Post-retirement, he has authored two novels with positive Catholic themes, Blue Steel Crucifix and The Shadows of Nazareth. A Brother Martin alumnus, he continues to inspire with his dedication to justice and ethics.

1 comment:

  1. This post really hits home for anyone who loves history and storytelling! It’s so true that the facts of an event are only one layer — the personal experiences and voices give us the emotional truth behind the dates and headlines. Historical fiction does that beautifully by imagining lives shaped by real events, making struggles and hopes feel immediate rather than abstract. It makes me want to dig further into the history of post-Reconstruction New Orleans and the real people behind the narratives we don’t always hear about

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