John Hardy has come home to West Fork after a decade’s absence, planning retribution for the death of his father. Hardy has barely crossed the town line when he is thrust into action, caught up in the political machinery that rules this small town. His target has already been murdered (on the golf course), and the publisher of a small newspaper is suspected. Hardy picks a side and digs in, fighting for the man’s freedom from prison and the town’s freedom from the iron fist of a ruthless business syndicate. With clues to follow, Machiavellian schemes to counter, and fair maiden to be won, John Hardy has his hands full.