Author Skip Tucker will speak and sign copies of his book, “Pale Blue Light,” at the Chilton-Clanton Library on May 28 at 2 p.m.

Tucker’s historical fiction novel, “Pale Blue Light” is a lesser-known nickname for Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and examines whether Jackson might have been assassinated.

“The novel is not a work of history, but historical fiction and I intended it to bring to people a living, breathing Jackson,” Tucker said in a release. “It’s actually a spy thriller. It questions whether Jackson was wounded by friendly fire or whether there might’ve been something more sinister in play.”

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the wounding (May 2, 1863) and death (May 10, 1863) of Jackson.

The novel is a rare “espionage” thriller set in the Civil War with the central character, Rabe Canon. Canon leaves his family’s Alabama plantation at the start of the Civil War, befriending Jackson of Virginia Military Institute.

When Jackson suffers a mortal wound at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Canon suspects foul play.

Canon undertakes a cross-country journey to discover the truth behind Jackson’s death, one that entangles Canon with a beautiful Yankee spy as he tries to avoid capture in a gold-rich California.

Tucker, 65, is from Eldridge, Ala. and has told stories all of his life.

“There was little to do in my small town and my circle of close friends number no more than four or five,” Tucker said in a release. “Sometimes, sitting around fishing during a summer day or camping at night, they would ask me to tell a story. I usually came up with something.”

Tucker’s inspiration for “Pale Blue Light” was largely due to Jackson being one his heroes and his “exemplary life.”

Tucker’s talk on May 28 will conclude the adult book lecture series at the library until the fall.

For more information about the lecture, contact (205) 755-1768.