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Published Jul 2010
390 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
Paperback Original. When Johnny Richardson returns to Oakridge he has one thing on his mind--correcting a terrible mistake that caused him to flee his hometown eight years ago. Revisiting the past, though, is a dark and dangerous game in small-town America. When a careless sexual episode leads to the suicide of the town's first lady, Johnny finds himself the target of a revenge campaign that threatens to tear apart the fragile world he’s built among the gold-bearing mountains of Northern California.
Left an unexplained piece of land when his father mysteriously disappears, Johnny must unravel its secrets in a desperate bid to protect those he loves. But his efforts to do this have deadly consequences and will ultimately force him to confront not only his own failings, but the very nature of guilt.
A searing meditation on the futility of trying to right the wrongs of the past, Empty Mile blends elements of thrilling urban noir with the wide-open spaces of outdoor adventure in a story that reflects America’s contemporary uncertainty about itself.
"Starred Review. [A] heartbreakingly powerful contemporary noir." - Publishers Weekly
"Some crime fans might lose patience, but as the threats mount, he'll have readers right where he wants them: by the throat." - Booklist
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Matthew Stokoe was born in England and presently divides his time between Sydney, Australia and Northern California. He is the author of the groundbreaking novels Cows and High Life and is internationally regarded as one of the most daring and innovative writers working today.
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