RIVER RISING by Dorothy Garlock
Nobody writes stories about our country in the early days of the twentieth century like Dorothy Garlock. She knows the people and the places of these times like the back of her own hand. In her latest novel, RIVER RISING, she describes life in a small Missouri town in the 1930's and she does it with precision and perfection.
The story centers on April Asbury, a young nurse who moves to Fertile, Missouri to work with the local physician, Dr. Forbes. One of the first persons she meets is Joe Jones, a local rancher. He and his brother Jack are two of the town's most sought after bachelors, along with Doc Forbes. Although April is attracted to Joe she won't let him know it. She plays coy and cool, which throws Joe for a loop.
April gets a room at the home of Shirley Poole, a widow. Her brother Fred lives at the house with her. Fred is a quiet type who takes an instant liking to April. She finds him creepy and is disturbed by his constant lurking about. Even when he is not around she can feel his eyes watching her.
There are many secrets in Fertile, Missouri. Shirley Poole's husband was a rapist and his acts have become her obsession. Fred is dominated by his sister and resents how she makes him feel. Her mean treatment of him drives him to commit perverted acts.
Then there is Doc Forbes. He harbors one of the biggest secrets of all. He is madly in love with a woman he can never even walk the streets with in Fertile. The only hope for happiness he and she have is to leave the town and flee to Canada.
To balance these secrets Garlock also gives the readers blossoming love stories. The most important one centers around April and Joe; but there is also the love story of Jack and Ruby. They have been sweethearts since high school but have recently drifted apart. If Jack can find a good means of making a living then perhaps they can get back together.
There is also a sub-plot concerning Joy, Jack and Joe's younger sister. She is only fifteen years old but has recently developed a crush on a boy named Sammy. He has some rough edges and Joe and Jack do not approve of him.
Garlock keeps all of these different plot lines moving and the reader hanging on every incident and occurrence. She also sprinkles the story with lively dialogue and humor. A real surprise is her inclusion of a liberal amount of sex
If you have never read a Garlock book then this is a good place to start. For those who have been Garlock fans for a while, this is one of her best. Like fine wine she gets better year after year.
RIVER RISING is published by Warner Books. It contains 400 pages and sells for $12.95.