Historical fiction book · Indie author
The Pecan Man
Cassie Dandridge Selleck · historical fiction
In 1970s Florida, a family’s quiet life is upended when a homeless man becomes entangled in a tragedy that forces buried truths into the open. A beloved indie debut.
Why read it: Southern literary HF with a strong sense of place and moral weight.
About this historical novel
The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck is historical fiction set around 1976 in the Cold War / Late 20th century period with key settings including Florida, American South. In 1970s Florida, a family’s quiet life is upended when a homeless man becomes entangled in a tragedy that forces buried truths into the open. A beloved indie debut.
On HisFic we tag it under 1. Literary historical fiction and 3. Historical mystery & crime so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include race, justice, community, and secrets. Southern literary HF with a strong sense of place and moral weight.
Use HisFic’s free journey planner to stay in this era or subgenre, save titles to a want-to-read list in your browser, and open Amazon when you are ready to buy. HisFic is discovery-only—not a bookstore—so pages like this exist to help you choose the next historical novel with intent.
Plot summary
In 1970s Florida, a family’s quiet life is upended when a homeless man becomes entangled in a tragedy that forces buried truths into the open. A beloved indie debut. Southern literary HF with a strong sense of place and moral weight.
Subgenres
Eras
Browse this mix
More like this on HisFic
Curated titles that share era, story type, or themes.
- In the Lake of the Woods · Tim O'Brien
A politician’s marriage unravels under the shadow of Vietnam (SAH Prize 1995).
- The Help · Kathryn Stockett
Black maids and a young white writer risk everything to tell the truth about life in 1960s Mississippi.
- The Women · Kristin Hannah
A young American nurse serves in Vietnam and struggles to be seen when she comes home.
- Homegoing · Yaa Gyasi
Linked stories follow two half-sisters’ lineages across centuries of African and American history.
- The Kite Runner · Khaled Hosseini
A boyhood betrayal in Kabul echoes through war, exile, and a chance at redemption.
- On Canaan's Side · Sebastian Barry
An Irishwoman looks back across a century of war, migration, and loss (Walter Scott Prize 2012).
Regions & places
North America
Florida · American South
Themes
- race
- justice
- community
- secrets
Tags
indie · debut · seed