March 2026 Book Review: Blood Rivalry

Book by: Paul Attaway
Review by: Dr. Wendy Hooper-Meletes, Ed.D., owner of Litchfield Books

Blood Rivalry is more than just a mystery crime thriller. It’s a legal drama with the balance of a Southern landscape rooted in a deep appreciation for the region’s unique climate, lush, fragrant flora, and a blend of formality. The resilience of family is portrayed in this book, where the past can define us, even decades after the death of a high school sweetheart. 

Building careers, brothers Walker and Eli Atkins, live in Charleston, South Carolina, and yet each are affected by the gruesome murder that occurred twenty years ago. Walker is relatable, deeply human and a successful lawyer with a defenseless public image. Yet he sees a chance to play the hero as he takes on Johnny Dunsmore, Governor of South Carolina and son of the age old politically powerful Dunsmore family. Their presence provides a stark critique of political entitlement, “kingmaker” mentality, as they ruthlessly operate behind the scenes to place their son Johnny in the Whitehouse and stop at nothing to win. 

Eli Atkins, Walker’s older brother, fled to Charleston to avoid a crime he didn’t commit, a traumatic childhood event known as the “Shootout in the Swamps”. Standing between Eli and a life well lived is a corrupt financier and perhaps another chance to embrace Rachel. The contrast between the polished, high-society world of Charleston legal circles and the gritty, dangerous “swamps” of the Santee River creates a dynamic backdrop for the escalating tension. Walker and Eli embark on a two-prong attack on the Dunsmores to strategically find a missing heir to end their empire. 

Charleston is vibrant and alive in this narrative as author Paul Attaway effectively uses local landmarks—from the historic Tradd Street and White Point Gardens to the Wappoo Country Club—to anchor the reader in the scene, make the narrative feel real, tangible, and emotionally resonant. Paul Attaway’s Blood Rivalry is a compelling Southern saga that masterfully weaves together themes of power, family legacy, and the pursuit of redemption. As the third installment in the Atkins Family Country Saga, the novel delves deep into the psychological and social complexities of life in South Carolina, spanning several decades from the post-WWII era to the mid1990s. 

Meet Paul Attaway for an exclusive book signing and luncheon on April 3, 2026 at Caffe Piccolo on Pawleys Island, SC.

For tickets: www.litchfieldbooks.com/events