Marie Wells Coutu Released Novel Moonshine River
The Hopkinsville author launched her fourth book, a historical fiction piece set in 1930s Golden Pond.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Books
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Hopkinsville native Marie Wells Coutu has released her fourth book, a historical fiction novel titled Moonshine River. The story follows a character navigating a family moonshine operation in Golden Pond during 1930.
Why it matters
The release marks the beginning of the Between the Rivers Legacy series, which draws inspiration from the Land Between the Lakes region. The book received recognition prior to publication by winning historical categories in the Sheila and Touched by Love contests.
Moonshine River serves as the fourth published novel by the Murray State University graduate. The work is now available to readers in both paperback and Kindle formats.
The players
Marie Wells Coutu
She is a Hopkinsville native and a graduate of Murray State University who has now authored four published novels.
Mended Vessels Press
This is the publishing house responsible for releasing the new historical fiction novel.
The details
Published by Mended Vessels Press, the narrative explores the challenges faced by a protagonist who takes over a family moonshine enterprise. The setting of Golden Pond in 1930 provides the backdrop for this historical fiction entry.
Timeline
The fictional events of the novel take place in 1930.
The official release date for the book was September 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The introduction of the Between the Rivers Legacy series mirrors a broader industry trend of authors leveraging regional history to anchor multi-book franchises. This strategic move helps build brand loyalty by grounding fictional narratives in specific, recognizable local topographies.
Readers interested in the new series can access the title through paperback retailers or download the digital version on Kindle. The book is currently available for purchase following its September 2026 release.
The takeaway
Historical fiction readers may appreciate how the author draws on regional lore to build a new multi-book series. Fans of 1930s-era storytelling can now explore the first installment of the Between the Rivers Legacy collection.
Further reading
Learn more about local literary contributions in the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKDZ.
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