Bøker av Ron Yates

Dak Edwards is a dedicated environmental scientist, who has spent his career working for the state lab. He is attending a convention in Stuttgart, Germany, when he receives a distressing call from his hometown. A train has derailed into a local lake, causing a chemical spill from the nearby factory. The situation is dire, and when he arrives home, he finds chaos and confusion. Authorities have discovered a dead body floating in the contaminated lake, and it's clear that this was no accident.As Dak begins to investigate the spill and the death of the man found in the lake, he is faced with another complication: his high school sweetheart, Asia. Their reunion is bittersweet, as Dak is still struggling with feelings of love for her, despite the fact that they have both moved on with their lives. And when an EPA official arrives on the scene, Dak is shocked to discover that it is Cameron, his former lab assistant, and ex-girlfriend. The two women are bitter rivals, and Dak finds himself caught in the middle of their feud.As the investigation unfolds, Dak is pulled deeper into the mystery of the chemical spill and the man's death. As he unravels the clues of the case, he becomes more entangled in his past. He spends time with Asia, who now owns the local tavern, while working with a colleague, Cameron, he still cares for.As Dak delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers shocking truths about the chemical spill and its origins. To solve the mystery of the man's death, he must also confront his own conflicted feelings about Asia, Cameron, the local authorities, and the identity of a killer. In the end, Dak must decide where his loyalties lie, within his hometown and within his heart.The story culminates in a dramatic showdown between Dak and the person responsible for the chemical spill. In a heart-stopping scene, Dak confronts the culprit and brings them to justice. And in the end, he finally makes a choice between Asia and Cameron, finding peace and closure at last.Overall, this novel is a gripping tale of love, mystery, and redemption set against the backdrop of a small Southern town. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and surprising twists, it is sure to captivate readers from start to finish.

The year is 1972, and Randy Walls is fresh out of the foster care system. Haunted by memories of sexual abuse, he hitchhikes from Pittsburgh to rural Georgia in search of a blood relation. His quest for family is fulfilled in unexpected ways after he makes a deal with Ben Stempton, a grizzled old pulp-wooder. Through events that follow, Randy experiences culture shock, hard labor, funerals, friendship, extramarital sex, and jealousy. When old man Stempton dies in a gruesome accident, Randy shoulders the burden of the man's business for the sake of his wife and daughter. Episodes unfold, and Randy finds himself holding a baby. Little Benji's mother is Ben Stempton's daughter, Stacy. Unfortunately, she is married to Randy's rival, an abusive redneck named Ty. More tragedy follows, resulting in Stacy's emotional breakdown.By this time Randy has grown close to his work partner Buster, a light-skinned black youth of uncertain parentage who anchors and guides him. These two plus Benji form an unlikely trio, struggling against vines from the past and present that are as constricting as kudzu-twisted stalks sprouting from society's soil, Ben Stempton's grave, and their own personal histories. Breaking free will require drastic measures and the formation of new bonds rooted in love.