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Dust and Devils
"I never shoulda stolen the dead man's coat."
Hunkered down inside a boxcar, racing across the frozen prairie toward Winnipeg in January 1931, that is exactly what Jake Harrow does to save his own life. Inside the pocket of the coat, he finds a woman's cry for help, a note from the dead man's wife pleading with him to return home and save her from a man who wants more than she is willing to give to pay their debts.
But Jake has enough trouble of his own. Driven out of his home by the man he worked for and wading through the hell left by his pa, the last thing he needs is to take on another person's struggle. The letter haunts Jake until his footsteps lead him to Leader, Saskatchewan and the doorstep of Angie Wallace. His only intention is to tell Angie about her husband's death, but he quickly finds himself pulled into the townspeople's troubles where he is forced to weave a web of lies to gain their acceptance.
Will Jake find the home he longs for? Or will he be destroyed by the devils within and without?
Hunkered down inside a boxcar, racing across the frozen prairie toward Winnipeg in January 1931, that is exactly what Jake Harrow does to save his own life. Inside the pocket of the coat, he finds a woman's cry for help, a note from the dead man's wife pleading with him to return home and save her from a man who wants more than she is willing to give to pay their debts.
But Jake has enough trouble of his own. Driven out of his home by the man he worked for and wading through the hell left by his pa, the last thing he needs is to take on another person's struggle. The letter haunts Jake until his footsteps lead him to Leader, Saskatchewan and the doorstep of Angie Wallace. His only intention is to tell Angie about her husband's death, but he quickly finds himself pulled into the townspeople's troubles where he is forced to weave a web of lies to gain their acceptance.
Will Jake find the home he longs for? Or will he be destroyed by the devils within and without?
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 21, 2016
This was a page-turner. Great plot, dialogue and vivid images of the prairies during the Depression years. There's a lot of grit in this story, a lot of history and a lot of surprises.
Excellent writing using first-person point of view narration. Example: "My muscles was tight as the belts on the tractor..." (p. 172)
The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars, is the use of slang throughout the story. I'd have preferred it only in direct dialogue. But that's just me. Another reader might see it as a strength and as part of the protagonist's character. I thought I'd get used to it but that small irritation stayed with me throughout this otherwise exciting ride. Riveting to the very end! Looking forward to the sequel.
Excellent writing using first-person point of view narration. Example: "My muscles was tight as the belts on the tractor..." (p. 172)
The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars, is the use of slang throughout the story. I'd have preferred it only in direct dialogue. But that's just me. Another reader might see it as a strength and as part of the protagonist's character. I thought I'd get used to it but that small irritation stayed with me throughout this otherwise exciting ride. Riveting to the very end! Looking forward to the sequel.
June 21, 2016
Good depression era, Saskatchewan novel. My only problems were the use of slang but after awhile I got used to it and the main character Jake Harrow almost died way to many times for one novel. I understand starvation and surviving a Saskatchewan winter in those conditions would be brutal but how many times can a guy be beaten to within an inch of his life and survive along with those conditions?
The plot was definitely intriguing and it was well-written. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who grew up in Saskatchewan. It was never boring and I didn't have a problem staying interested and am actually looking forward to the next book.
The plot was definitely intriguing and it was well-written. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who grew up in Saskatchewan. It was never boring and I didn't have a problem staying interested and am actually looking forward to the next book.
December 18, 2014
This book is an excellent read. It grabbed my interest with the first line and wouldn't let go. Jake is a character that you fall in love with from the get go. You feel for him in his struggles and rejoice with his triumphs and really wish he'd just keep his mouth shut. I loved the book. It ruined me. I stayed up way too late at night because I couldn't put it down.
March 28, 2015
If you want historical fiction and mystery rolled up into one Depression-era yarn, read Rhonda's Dust and Devils. Her descriptive detail and use of Jake's POV are bang-on. I loved reading about Jake's travels and his brushes with the law. Very informative about life during the Great Depression. Looking forward to the next installment!
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February 17, 2016Interesting Gives one a clearer understanding and appreciation of the sufferings of the people who survived the dirty thirties on the prairies. Is followed by a sequel.
November 21, 2025
Sometimes the books we read for our library book club surprise us!
This one had been chosen as a historical fiction written by a Saskatchewan author!
Well, done! She captured me interest.
Look forward to reading the next one in the series!
This one had been chosen as a historical fiction written by a Saskatchewan author!
Well, done! She captured me interest.
Look forward to reading the next one in the series!
July 8, 2016
This is a great story. Great stories are hard to find these days. I read it in just a few days and was mad when it ended.
I'm very excited for the next book in the sequence. I'm not the best at reviewing books, but I feel compelled to say how much I liked it.
I'm very excited for the next book in the sequence. I'm not the best at reviewing books, but I feel compelled to say how much I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews