Cutlass Wonders is a coming-of-age novel that introduces Randal Poe, whose sudden eviction by his dysfunctional family propels the history buff and nascent journalist toward a hapless criminal act that unleashes unethical behavior, and corporate greed between two collectors, brothers Leutius McKee and Titus Shell, blind patriotism in land baron Merle Terrell and his ragtag militia, animal rights as understood by the hog farmer Honeycutt family, and grudges bent on revenge that redefines family values.

Through gun-store owner Elmer Butkins, Randal sells a storied heirloom to two collectors and also sells its story to columnist Tarleton Ramseur who mentors him as a cub reporter. A Civil War battle reenactment interview leads to Randal's involvement with the Republic of 1/10 of Peedee County, which recently seceded from the union, and with a hog farm on the brink of insolvency seeking asylum for refugee swine.

Randal draws these actors, his vengeful father, and his disconsolate mother toward dire pandemonium in Cutlass Wonders, a comic novel about coming of age the hard way.