Wallace Martin's debut murder mystery, The Goatman, is destined to be a Southern classic along with Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird.

This coming-of-age tale set in the mountains of post-WWII North Georgia features a fourteen-year-old Zeb Barton, his irascible surgeon father, and Thelka, the gun-toting maid who mentors Zeb through progressively dangerous times. Even though the book is set in the 1960's, many of the characters are still reeling from the damages of WWII combat while others are being haunted by dead family members.

A neo-Southern Gothic tale in the vein of Flannery O'Connor's work, each character contends with their own personal demons while all are under the watchful eye of the enigmatic Goatman, the subject of many murderous legends.

"The story offers plentiful plot twists and red herrings...the climax is unforeseen and thrilling. Martin has masterfully created rich and memorable characters. Drawn in by the mystery..." ~ BlueInk

"In The Goatman, the truth is evasive and the enigmatic Goatman remains obscure for a large part of the book, creating a sense of foreboding that heightens the suspense even as the book draws to a satisfying close...A huge revival in the mystery genre, this text abounds with resonant and well-wrought characters that feel like next-door neighbors. The writer's evocative descriptions accomplish much and unwrap the ominous and palpable tone that maintains the book's emotional resonance...That he manages to create a compelling narrative from a childhood nursery rhyme is a win-win on his part as this demonstrates his creative ability...The festering secrets that are revealed after a few chapters keep up the book's momentum, as does its brisk pacing...Thriller and mystery enthusiasts, young adults and otherwise, should add this one to their bookshelves. I strongly recommend it." ~ Bestsellersworld

"Set in the era of the post-World War II South, everything in this novel feels untamed, exciting, and slightly bewildering by modern standards. Imagining a medical exam room filled with writhing snakes and cigarette smoke or a careless kid careening toward a dangerous river on an old motorcycle creates as much terror and mystique as any mythical creature ever could. As potential antagonists ebb and flow, the tide of the story wades into the complex waters of processing grief. Dark, purple prose lends to the sinister feel of the novel while family secrets emerge as one of the biggest threats...Richly crafted characters and deeply held local lore form the basis of this gritty, depraved mystery, and readers will enjoy navigating the difficult terrain between psychological struggles and external threats in Wallace Martin's The Goatman." ~ Indies Today