The Baptism of Billy Bean: A Novel

Lane Hollars seen little of the world beyond West VirginiaParris Island and Vietnambut that was enough. Now, thirty years later, hes 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 ineptor corruptlawmen 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 Appalachias forests and towns, Lane must fight not only for his life, but for all the things that it has lacked: love, family, and peace.

Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Counterpoint; Original edition (February 17, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1582434603
ISBN-13: 978-1582434605