Cry Me A River

• Author: Patricia Hagan
• Publisher: I Books
• Year: 2001

Book Description

Small-town gossip, bootlegging, the KKK, high school romances, corruption, and greed all play their role in this tightly-written, nonstop suspense story. Vietnam War veteran Luke Ballard returns to his Deep South roots in Alabama. After becoming sheriff in his hometown, he confronts a growing mystery that will irrevocably change his life. Hampton, Alabama was rough place for a single mother to raise a child by herself. For years Luke Ballard knew he was a bastard just as the entire town knew his mother was a whore. He never learned from his mother the identity of his father. When Alma claims Luke impregnated her, his mother forced them into marriage. Immediately following the service, Luke enlisted in the Army. When his mother lay dying, Luke took leave to say his good-byes. On her deathbed, she confesses that three men brutally raped her and she wanted Luke to insure justice is done. Luke left the Army and was elected sheriff. He begins his evidence gathering against three prominent citizens in the hopes of getting some justice for his mother. His only happiness is when he spends time with Emma Jean, married to a spouse abuser, who he also plans to bring down.