YBR Publishing will hold the public debut of “Driftwood Unmasked,” a novel by Beaufort author Gibbes McDowell, at Boondocks Restaurant, 1760 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“Driftwood Unmasked” is a fictional account of real-life Beaufort legend “Driftwood” Cory, beginning with a 16th-century pirate adventure that takes place on a local Sea Island. McDowell then advances the introduction with a small history lesson of Beaufort and the surrounding islands, before leading into the main story of an Irish-born rogue finding adventure, purpose and community among the Gullah people of the islands following his escape from the horrors of World War I.

While Cory attracts the attention of the local “good ol’ boy” politicians and law enforcement, he is largely left alone, making and selling art made from driftwood and horseshoe shells, until one day Cory finds buried treasure near his home and store.

McDowell also offers a postscript which is the actual biography of the man known locally only as “Driftwood” Cory during the 1960s and early 1970s, from information discovered while he was researching the local history in writing his manuscript.

“Driftwood Unmasked” is published by YBR Publishing in Ridgeland.