Synopses & Reviews
From the critically acclaimed author of
Tidewater Blood and
Blood and Guile comes a gripping novel of suspense about a man who puts his life in jeopardy in order to bring a killer to justice.
In Wild Thorn, Charley LeBlanc returns to the place of his birth only to find himself caught up in corruption and intrigue. The black sheep of a distinguished Virginia family, Charley has now settled in Montana to escape his felonious past. When he heads east for a brief trip, he discovers that an old mountaineer woman he has befriended is dead under questionable circumstances. Charley wants answers and sets out to find them.
He's hampered by a local law force that remembers only too well Charley's previous misdeeds. But he's unexpectedly welcomed by the richest man in the area -- and his sexy, younger wife. The deeper Charley digs, the more he believes the old woman's death is not what it first appeared. And before long he uncovers a devious and dangerous enemy.
Brilliantly written, with a strong sense of place and an intriguing cast of characters, Wild Thorn confirms William Hoffman's place as a writer of rare and extraordinary talent.
Review
"Hoffman's strengths lie not so much in the mystery plot, which at times feels forced, but in creating a strong sense of place and well-defined characters. As usual, the veteran author...writes dialogue crackling with understated humor, and his elegant, laconic style brings the panoply of Shawnee County personalities to life." Publishers Weekly
About the Author
William Hoffman is the author of twelve novels as well as four short-story collections. His writing has won numerous awards, including the Andrew Lytle Prize, the Goodheart Prize, the John Dos Passos Prize, and the Hillsdale Foundation Fiction Prize from the Fellowship of Southern Writers. His short stories have been featured in Best American Short Stories and Prize Stories 1996. The 0. Henry Awards. Tidewater Blood won the 1999 Hammett Award.