The Baptism of Billy Bean

by Roger Skipper

Genres: Literary Fiction; Short Stories

Synopsis

Lane Hollar's seen little of the world beyond West Virginia—Parris Island and Vietnam—but that was enough. Now, thirty years later, he's estranged from his only son, Frank, and from society at large. Lane has his grandson, Toby; his daughter–in–law, Darlene; his bait shop; and his banjo, and he desires or needs nothing else.

But then one day, he and Toby are out fishing when they witness a drug–related murder. Suddenly, the boundaries of his world are no longer his to define. An investigation rules the drowning accidental but reveals the witnesses to the perpetrators, and without preamble, Lane is fighting for his life. Caught between inept—or corrupt—lawmen and a stone–cold killer, Lane finds that his long–neglected survival skills are, like Lane himself, obsolete and ludicrous in a world gone mad.

In a rolling war through Appalachia's forests and towns, Lane must fight not only for his life, but for all the things that it has lacked: love, family, and peace.

Release date: May 1, 2009

Publisher: Counterpoint

Print pages: 368