After Eli

by Terry Kay

In the Nahella Valley of Appalachia, a rumor is whispered about a man named Eli Pettit and the small fortune in stolen money he supposedly hid on his farm before disappearing, leaving a wife, daughter and sister-in-law to tend the land and guard the money – if the money even exists.

It is a rumor Michael O’Rear cannot resist. A wandering actor from the remnants of the Chautauqua circuit, gifted with Irish gab and charm, he arrives ready to perform his last and most horrific role – that of a murderer.

Yet, it is not simple theater for Michael. In the Appalachia of 1939, he is a stranger in a region that does not easily accept strangers. He first must ingratiate himself to the three women of the Pettit home – Eli’s wife, Rachel; his daughter, Sarah; and Rachel’s sister, Dora, and then he must curry favor with the townspeople of Yale.

For Michael, it becomes an exhilarating performance, acted with patience and with the cunning persuasion of dreamy – often outlandish – tales. One by one, he entices the cast of his drama to embrace him and to do his bidding, but in the wake of his presence, he leaves an imprint of physical and emotional terror that scars everyone who becomes mesmerized by him.

Still, in this tantalizing story of deception and senseless slaughter, of threat and fear, it is the powerful instinct for survival that eventually drops the curtain on Michael O’Rear and restores the quiet secrets of the Nahella Valley to those who know them.

Genres: Fiction, Historical

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

TERRY KAY, a 2006 inductee into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, is the author of The Book of Marie, recently released by Mercer University Press. Kay has been a sports writer and film/theater reviewer (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), a public relations executive, and a corporate officer. He is the author of nine other published novels, including To Dance with the White Dog, The Valley of Light, Taking Lottie Home, The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene, Shadow Song, The Runaway, Dark Thirty, After Eli, and The Year the Lights Came On, as well as a book of essays (Special K) and a childrens book (To Whom the Angel Spoke)."

Reviews

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Terry Kay is one of the most underrated authors. I have read several of his books and have enjoyed all of them. This was Kay's second novel and it's a very suspenseful novel. Good read - recommended!!

[Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you wonder why more people have not heard of Terry Kay. Great characters, great story. A great study of human character.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I call this type of a book a "beach' read. I really enjoyed this book immensely but it was just a very 'easy' read. There were twists and turns in the book - but it was obvious what would be written on the following pages.
The Author created scenes that were very true-to-life. There is a little bit of romance, intrigue but no major surprises. The storyline followed along easily which drew the reader into the script. Very short book (250 pages)...but a lot can happen in a few short pages as the Author didn't get into massive 'descriptive' words - a lot was left to the Readers imagination (which I particularly like). Looking for a good story to read that you didn't have to 'think' about alot? This is the book!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent psychological study of a character. Michael arrives in a rural area up to no good but with a wonderful way of weedeling his way into locals hearts. This is just plain, good old story telling. Will he or won't he get found out. Are the locals on to him or not. Will he find the treasure and escape, pulling it all off even murder when needed. What havoc will be left in the wake. Hard to put down, once I got into the story. Mainly told from Michael's view point it can send chills up your back. A great page turner and Kay's writing holds it all together so well. Definitely has stood the test of time.

[Stephanie Lincecum · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the meat of the book, but the ending was so-o anticlimactic for me. Nonetheless, I discovered a new-to-me southern author that I will read again.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely entertaining. Not a typical Terry Kay, but a great read.

[Tonya OK · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The novel is well-written and the last 1/3 is reasonably suspenseful. That said, there is a lot of filler, like conversations and descriptions, that do not contribute to the plot at all. Also, the dialect drove me crazy, but that’s just my taste.

[Sharon Grutsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went up one star. Very readable but it kind of left an uneasy feeling. Maybe the author intended that in that case it’s at least 4.

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because the man sure can write, but I didn't like any characters, skimmed to end for denouement.

[Linda W. Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner!

Terry Kay's mastery of the English language is superb. This chilling tale touches on the evil that lurks around us that may catch us and rewrite our destinies. Michael is deliciously dark. In my imagination, he looked like Santa, but it was soon apparent that this main character was not the jolly "leprechaun" that he played to his unsuspecting audience. You must read this book ... you simply must!

[Cws]

M Kay

[Marge Rudman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely engaging....a real page turner for me. Terry Kaye's language is clear and yet poetic. Never overwraught, revealing characters and setting that completely engaged me.

[donna k · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept me going.

This was a well written novel. I liked the setting and the characters. Kept me guessing all the way to the end.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appalachia, oh Appalachia. Where the women are strong....

[Judith Weaver · Rating 1 out of 5]

wrong book. see Rupp -- After Eli