Robert Dean Anderson
Ashes - The Year They Burned Old Linn Creek
eBook
In this sequel to LIMB OF THE JUDAS TREE, Smith Beauchamp is sent to buy property for a large dam in the 1920's from people who do not want to sell. What's worse, his boss has been murdered and Smith has to take his place. The novel is permeated with eccentric, interesting characters from Uncle Billy Jack Cummins who is sworn as his last act in life to save the town; to Leah, the tough-as-a-man boss; the silent, unspeaking Meren; Nita German who "does favors" for men and Doyle Savoy, the one-armed sheriff. Smith is trying to escape from dark secrets he can't share with anyone until he meets a young girl with terrible secrets of her own. He teams with a one-armed sheriff to uncover the corruption that threatens the town, the dam and everyone living there. The bulldozers and men come to finish the destruction and burning of the town and Smith makes his choice between the beautiful Estelle and the silent Meren.