Inspired by long-buried true stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, this powerful novel offers a searing portrayal of resistance. From Clay Cane, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author ofThe Grift, it’s a must-read for fans of Colson Whitehead, Jesmyn Ward, and Percival Everett.

As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they.

Luke, quick-witted and perceptive, and Henri, a man of strong and defiant spirit, forge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hell, Luke and Henri will leave their mark among the lives they touch…
Like Josephine, a young and observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henri’s resilience, she listens, watches, and waits.

Then there’s Charity Butler, inspired by a formerly enslaved man who found his freedom fighting alongside Josephine. At his encouragement, Charity rises up for her life and familyonly to face a deeply unjust system.

And finally, there is Nathaniel, who ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men who, like him, are enslavers. A perversion of the system of slavery, hisrule is both fragile and contradictory.

Burn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force of a novelbreathtaking in scope, compassion, and timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.

Inspired by true, long-buried stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, a searing portrayal of resistance for readers of Colson Whitehead, Jesmyn Ward, and Percival Everett, from Clay Cane, award-winning journalist andNew York Timesbestselling author ofThe Grift.

As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they.

Luke, quick-witted and literate, and Henri, a man with a strong and defiant spirit, forge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hell, Luke and Henri will leave their mark, sparking resistance among the lives they touch

One is Josephine, a young, sharp, and observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henris resilience, she listens, watches, waits for the moment to make her move.

Then there is Charity Butler, her husband a formerly enslaved man who proved his ferocity as a young boy standing alongside Josephine. At his encouragement, Charity fights for her freedom in court and wins only to battle a deeply unjust system designed to destroy the life theyve built.

And finally, there is Nathaniel, who ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men who, like him, are enslavers. A perversion of the system of slavery, his fragile and contradictory rule will become a catalyst of its own.

Inspired by the true stories of the profoundly courageous men and women who dared to fight back,Burn Down Masters Houseis a singular tour de force of a novelbreathtaking in scope, compassion, and a timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.

Clay Caneis aNew York Timesbestselling author and award-winning journalist, radio host, and political analyst. More than 3 million listeners tune intoThe Clay Cane Showon SiriusXM each week, his commentary is heard on television networks such as ABC, MSNBC, FOX and CNN, and his work has been featured inThe Washington Post, CNN.com, and BET. He is the author of the instantNew York TimesbestsellerThe Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult,Live Through This,andBurn Down Masters House.A graduate of Rutgers University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in English and African American Studies, he lives outside of New York City and can be found online at clay-cane.com.

• Publisher: Dafina
• Publish Date: January 27, 2026
• Pages: 300
• Language: English
• Type: Hardcover
• EAN/UPC: 9781496759146
• Dimensions: 8.3 X 5.6 X 0.0 inches | 1.3 pounds
• BISAC Categories: Popular Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+