Eyes of the River

When seventeen-year-old Allie Sheridan disappears, Richard Larson's quietly constructed world begins to unravel. Returning home from war forty-eight years ago, suffering profound trauma, Rick's wife and young daughter, Beth, had to flee his rageful addictions. His ensuing retreat, with fellow stricken Veteran, Tremaine Wilson, led them to a forsaken boatyard and unlikely sanctuary along Washington, DC's Anacostia River-a forgotten river where they hoped to forget as well. The serendipitous friendship with Allie found a way in, though, and grew. But now, she has vanished from Rick's life, too.

Tragedies cascade across Rick's world as the young girl's prominent businessman father and ruthless, senator stepmother descend upon his isolated refuge in search of their precocious daughter. Rick's fear for Allie's safety reawakens his own buried hope for redemption, pitting him against the shadowing anguish from Vietnam and a dangerous conspiracy, reaching into the highest levels of government. Soon desperate, Rick is lured from his haven. Having no choice but to trust the intuition of his failing oldest friend, Tremaine, he follows Allie's trail into his own shattered past.

From the political deceptions of Washington, DC to the calm of a small New England town, the relentless pursuit culminates in a destined final confrontation and the only chance for salvation from their demons. A haunting advance Richard Larson may not be prepared to make.

Dave Strang began his writing journey with children's books and short stories, fortunate to be guided in his early endeavors by authors Peter Taylor and James McPherson. Eyes of the River is his second novel and first published work. A story inspired many years ago when Dave and his father, a WWII veteran, first ventured into an aging marina along Washington, DC's Anacostia River and entered the shed. A treasure of boat parts, memories and the seeds of a story accompanied them home that day. Dave lives with his wife in Annapolis, MD, where they raised two sons and several rescue labs, surrounded still by the collection of nautical gems discovered that spring afternoon with his fellow boat lover.