Ex-Mob enforcer Isaiah Coledrige has hung out a shingle as a private eye in New York's Hudson Valley, and in his newest case, a seemingly simple murder investigation leads him to the most terrifying enemy he has ever faced. When a small-time criminal named Harold Lee turns up in the Ashokan reservoir--sans a heartbeat, head, or hands--the local Mafia capo hires Isaiah Coleridge to look into the matter. The Mob likes crime, but only the crime it controls...and as it turns out, Lee is the second independent contractor to meet a bad end on the business side of a serrated knife. One such death can be overlooked. Two makes a man wonder. A guy in Harold Lee's business would make his fair share of enemies, and it seems a likely case of pure revenge. But as Coledrige turns over more stones, he finds himself dragged into something deeper and more insidious than he could have imagined, in a labyrinthine case spanning decades. At the center are an heiress moonlighting as a cabaret dancer, a powerful corporation with high-placed connections, and a serial killer who may have been honing his skills since the Vietnam War...

Reprint of the E.P. Dutton edition originally published in 1972 a celebration of a fine (and poignantly nostalgic) college that endured from 1933 to 1956. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Something monstrous has awoken deep within the Appalachian Mountains where the Davenport family has made their new home. But just what is it? And what are its intentions? Dr. John Davenport, a veterinary doctor of large animals, moves his family to North Carolina after hearing of an opportunity to take over the practice of a retiring veterinarian. To the family’s delight, they find a stone farmhouse for sale on several picturesque acres nestled in the mountains. There is even a small lake and a barn on the property, the perfect setting for John and his wife, Rachael, to raise their two active boys, Dillon and Drew. But the family is not destined to find peace and serenity in the mountains. Ten-year-old Drew Davenport and his family are unexpectedly drawn into a struggle for survival as the result of an amazing discovery. Much of what the family had believed about the world is suddenly turned up-side down when an ancient secret is uncovered. The present day collides with the past when myths and legends become real. Along their amazing and difficult journey the Davenports learn lessons about friendship, loyalty and sacrifice – and about the often blurred line between things good and evil. The resourcefulness of the family is stretched to its limits as they unite to protect the values that they cherish. And in so doing, they restore the faith of a mysterious visitor in the goodness of the human spirit. Can the family hope to stand against the darkness that threatens to destroy them?

Perched at the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Mountain thrives on tourism. Even before the town incorporated in 1893, visitors flocked to the area to seek respite from heat, insects, and illness--and many of those visitors stayed. Cool climes and dramatic mountain scenery continue to draw travelers and new residents alike, and Black Mountain's historic center caters to both.

North Carolina's magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains have drawn people to the Swannanoa Valley since the beginning of time. Rivers and forests lured early hunters and gatherers; later inhabitants tilled the rich, fertile soil and logged the thick forests on the mountainsides. People also came to the mountains to enjoy the mystical beauty and enchantment of the area, the cool, crisp climate, and the sparkling waters of brooks and streams. Hiking, camping, and the tranquility of a woodland world provided escape from city life. The Swannanoa Valley is cradled between the Craggy Mountains to the north and the Swannanoa Mountains to the south. Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in America east of the Mississippi River, rises majestically nearby. Among the early visitors who decided to settle in the valley were those who purchased the land that later became the sites of the famous conference centers in the area-Montreat, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, and Ridgecrest-and businessmen, who brought industry to the area.

Ex-mob enforcer Isaiah Coledrige has hung out a shingle as a private eye in New York's Hudson Valley, and in his newest case, a seemingly simple murder investigation leads him to the most terrifying enemy he has ever faced When a small-time criminal named Harold Lee turns up in the Ashokan reservoir--sans a heartbeat, head, or hands--the local mafia capo hires Isaiah Coleridge to look into the matter. The mob likes crime, but only the crime it controls . . . and as it turns out, Lee is the second independent contractor to meet a bad end on the business side of a serrated knife. One such death can be overlooked. Two makes a man wonder. A guy in Harold Lee's business would make his fair share of enemies, and it seems a likely case of pure revenge. But as Coledrige turns over more stones, he finds himself dragged into something deeper and more insidious than he could have imagined, in a labyrinthine case spanning decades. At the center are an heiress moonlighting as a cabaret dancer, a powerful corporation with high-placed connections, and a serial killer who may have been honing his skills since the Vietnam War. . . A twisty, action-packed follow-up to the acclaimed Blood Standard, Black Mountain cements Laird Barron as an inventive and remarkable voice in crime fiction.