Beyond the Road

The story takes place in the small, riverside town of Bridgeport, Indiana, where an old superstition hangs over the peaceful community. "...every quarter century or so, an upside-down crescent moon appears and something vile happens. Storytellers say as the pirates left, they slashed open the sky over Bridgeport, creating a portal for their return. Old timers recognize the cosmic warning and lock their windows and doors and stay inside. The young and those new to Bridgeport, will learn to do the same--if they survive." During a storm, Robin discovers her adult friend, Seth, is missing and a visit to his house unearths a body buried in the cornfield. Not only is a body immersed in the mud, but the air itself holds a horrid stench. Friend Alex catches up with Robin in the cornfield and reports something weird had just happened--a black crow had landed in front of him. But when it started waddling toward him, a pirate appeared in its place, his black hair and beard emphasized by evil looking eyes and a sword. But then the pirate disappeared and a flutter of feathers charged, pecking him on the side of the head as it flew away. Alex tells Robin about his reoccurring dream where he is in a cornfield but he won't divulge the details. Frustrated at the torment, he had ripped the dream catcher made for him by his Lakota grandfather, Kota, from the room. When Alex and Robin report finding a body in the cornfield, the sheriff arrives at the same time as Alex's grandfather, Kota, an experienced Indian tracker said to possess a sixth sense. Only the narrow minded sheriff doesn't want Kota to help him find the murderer and dismisses his help. The game is afoot when Robin and her friends set off to solve the case but find the road they must travel has twists and turns that eventually tests their will to stay alive. Readers will easily identify with the five foot tall, animal loving, social outcast, Robin. In one scene Alex consoles his friend after a teasing from her peers. "Don't you see? They just wish they could be like you. And since they can't, they try to tear you down. They want to make you--less you. Don't let them do it." Arrowhead hunting friend Alex is part Lakota and it is from his involvement we learn the Lakota way. Not truly a follower of the old ways, what he has been taught by grandfather, Kota, suddenly becomes important. And Marc, whose favorite idol is Mohammed Ali rounds out the trio with loyalty and strength of character. Besides the credible characters and the Lakota intrigue, the plum in the book is the ending. It is a hook-the-reader-can't-put-it-down adventure. Emotions run high when the characters are thrown to the wolves and this is when the reader learns why this book has won two formidable awards. This is when you feel satisfaction at having spent time in another world.

I was very impressed with the story line. Beyond the Road is a well-written book for all ages.

The story is enticing for everyone of any age. My husband, myself and grandaughter read it in one weekend, I appreciated learning about the Lakota culture, I will certainly do more reading about this. The author's forensic, enviromental and cultural research came alive on the pages. Any one who reads this book will find themselves thinking about the characters because they seemed so real. There are positive values,lessons and consequences in "Beyond the Road" that will benefit and make good conversation for our family. We are excited to know if there will be another book following?

I loved this book!I met the author in 2004 and when I saw that her book had been published, I could not wait to read it. I was enthralled with the characters and as time went on taken on an exciting adventure. My grandson may be a little young for this book right now, but I cannot wait to pass it on when he is a little older.Hope there is another book soon!

I sat down to read this book. I am 72 years old, but I really loved the book. It has a mystery, detailed on Indian Lore, and inviromentally informed and very well written. I sat up until 2:20AM because I could not put it down. I can't wait for her next book. It was so nice to read a good book without a lot of sex and bad language.