Dayne Sherman

Zion is not a fast-paced, hard-action thriller. Sherman takes his time developing his story backdrop, building the characters who populate his story, and setting up the events that finally lead to a satisfying conclusion. I quickly found myself involved with his characters as Sherman developed his story based upon his in-depth knowledge of rural Louisiana.
This is a story about real people, living their lives as they see fit in a world that is as real as your own neighborhood. When the main protagonist’s wife is brutally assaulted and raped, his life changes forever, and his community changes along with him. Over a process of years, pieces of the puzzle emerge, slowly forming a picture that exposes the underbelly of Zion. Local law enforcement, in the form of a long-term marshal, is finally forced to address the problem when a gruesome double murder shocks this small community.
Several formatting problems were temporary distractions, such as unexpected point-of-view shifts, and occasional dialog glitches. Nevertheless, their presence did not detract seriously from my enjoyment of the novel. I give it four-and-a-half stars, and round it up to five.
You will not be able to put this book down once you get into it. When you start reading, give it a chapter, and you will be hooked.
… (meer)

Jesse Tadlock must leave high school for the army. Ringing foul in his ears is the sentiment that these would be the best days of his life. Big for his age --man size-- Jesse helps his kin to dig his cousin’s grave because there is no money to pay for such a luxury.

No part of his life is untouched by violence except in the love of his high school sweetheart and the nurturing women of his family.

Jesse returns home to Baxter Parish following his Mother’s death. He has a job lined up with the Sheriff, a new home bought with money from his mother’s life insurance --pretty much all that is left to herald the passage of his Mother's hard life, and real hope of rekindling his romance with his high school girl, the only woman he has truly loved. It seems he is off to a good start and may have the peaceful existence he craves.

Then we get a taste of "Cotton" Things get interesting after that.

A lot has been said in other reviews about the land and that tie that binds. It is integral, but more central is the dogged will of Jesse and his male family members. They make pit bulls look like kitty cats.

The author has drawn his characters well, and crafted a fine story. I could say a lot more about this book. It has a lot of subtle nuances that could get overlooked in all the excitement.
Of interest to me, is the incident that causes Jesse to leave high school and join the army and the events that send him after "Cotton" on his own turf. There's some irony there. This book does get inside your head. --NO doubt… (meer)