In the Absence of Honor

When Jake Lorenz retreats to his family’s cabin in the North Minnesota woods for the winter, he’s looking for peace, quiet, and time to reflect on the loss of his wife and his job. But instead, he finds destruction and death—a gruesome murder scene on his very doorstep. The more he discovers about the death, the deeper he is drawn into a shadowy struggle for land, wealth, and power. There are forceful men who don’t want him to search any further: the corrupt tribal council that controls the nearby Ojibwe casino, the secretive and antisocial plutocrat who owns half the peninsula, and the ruthless Indian Mafia, to name a few. But to save the community he loves, which is set in this harsh and lovely wilderness, Jake must battle personal demons and the deadly forces of man and nature to learn the truth. With origins dating back 200 years and outcomes that could appear in tomorrow’s newspaper, In the Absence of Honor whisks readers through a tale of conspiracy, fraud, deception, and betrayal—that reverberate from a small northern community and Indian reservation to powerful forces in Washington, D.C.

Jim Proebstle has experienced northern Minnesota his entire life. He and his wife, Carole, now call it home for the warmer months. His love for the wilderness setting and fascination with Native American reservation life fueled his imagination for In the Absence of Honor.

Jim has his BA and MBA from Michigan State University where he was fortunate enough to also play on a National Championship Football Team in 1965 and earn academic honors. His corporate career in sales and management prepared him to form Prodyne, Inc.--a management consulting firm.

Currently, Jim and Carole reside in Deer Park, IL, which is close to their two children and five grandchildren.