Tears of the Mountain. John Addiego

Tears of the Mountain chronicles a single dayin one man's life—July 4, 1876—along with aseries of flashbacks that all lead up to an eventfulCentennial Independence Day celebration inSonoma, California. Over the course of thissurprisingly pivotal moment in his life, JeremiahMcKinley prepares for the celebration and for areunion with old friends and family.However, as he reflects on past love, thehazardous pioneer journey of his youth acrossthe continent from Missouri, and the many violentconflicts of the West, voices of the long deadcome to him, while old wounds and enmitiesresurface, threatening everything he holds dear.Furthermore, a series of mysterious notes andmessages follow him throughout the day. Whena visiting senator is found dead, suspicion leadsto his old mentor, Professor Applewood, whosesudden disappearance from the festivities makesMcKinley a suspected accessory to a fugitive.John Addiego fills this tale of America’s coming ofage with wit and lively prose, seamlessly movingback and forth through time in a novel thatrecognizes both our darker side and our promise.