Short Synopsis
A tense Western and an assured debut, Black River tells the story of a man marked by a prison riot as he returns to the town, and the convict, who shaped him.

Full Synopsis
When Wes Carver returns to Black River, he carries two things in the cab of his truck: his wife's ashes and a letter from the prison parole board. The convict who held him hostage during a riot twenty years ago is being considered for release.

Wes has been away from Black River ever since the riot. He grew up in this small Montana town, and, like his father before, he made his living as a corrections officer. A talented, natural fiddler, he found solace and joy in his music. But during that riot, Bobby Williams changed everything for Wes—undermining his faith and taking away his ability to play.

How can a man who once embodied evil ever come to good? How can he pay for such crimes with anything but his life? As Wes considers his own choices and grieves for all he's lost, he must decide what he believes and whether he can let Williams walk away.

"Comparing the author to Annie Proulx, Wallace Stegner, or Kent Haruf is no exaggeration." ---Library Journal Starred Review

"Top-of-the-line modern American Western debut." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Impressive work from a gifted young artist." ---Kirkus Starred Review

"[An] assured debut." ---Booklist Starred Review

"Narrator George Newbern performs the laconic but well-wrought characters with deserving aplomb." ---Library Journal Starred Audio Review

Library Journal Review

Publishers Weekly Review

Kirkus Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Audio Review

Bestseller