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Prairie Ghost: Contemporary Literary Fiction
Welcome to Hat Creek, a South Dakota ghost town-turned-wellness retreat amidst the real-life hardships of collapsing buildings, ill-tempered rattlesnakes, violent storms, and herds of stampeding cattle.
Dan Stuart, proprietor of this unique endeavor, hides a dark past. Fleeing from a horrible accident, he settles into the remote Black Hills and turns recluse, using physical toil as self-inflicted punishment for his role in the tragedy. When a teenage runaway enters town, Dan faces a momentous Is it worth his effort to save the youth—and, in turn, himself?
The redemptive path Dan forges, though, isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Navigating secrets and past regrets as carefully as he does caving roofs and busted water pipes, he spends decades bettering himself by bettering others. Suffering a resident’s horrific murder and a snoopy college intern unraveling his past, Dan’s efforts lay in tatters … until he peers into the mind of a stricken young boy and discovers the shocking means to set himself free.
Dan Stuart, proprietor of this unique endeavor, hides a dark past. Fleeing from a horrible accident, he settles into the remote Black Hills and turns recluse, using physical toil as self-inflicted punishment for his role in the tragedy. When a teenage runaway enters town, Dan faces a momentous Is it worth his effort to save the youth—and, in turn, himself?
The redemptive path Dan forges, though, isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Navigating secrets and past regrets as carefully as he does caving roofs and busted water pipes, he spends decades bettering himself by bettering others. Suffering a resident’s horrific murder and a snoopy college intern unraveling his past, Dan’s efforts lay in tatters … until he peers into the mind of a stricken young boy and discovers the shocking means to set himself free.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 5, 2025
I have driven through SoDak many times on my way to the Black Hills, and can capture in my minds eye this fictional Ghost Town. About half way into this novel, I thought to myself~geez, I can’t wait to be done! Trudging on, I am glad I did. The end rewards are so endearing.
September 12, 2025
Unique read!
What a wonderful unique story. This author is a true storyteller. I will never forget these characters. Thank you for a great read.
What a wonderful unique story. This author is a true storyteller. I will never forget these characters. Thank you for a great read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews