Backbone Mountain

by Thomas H. Williams

College professor and fly-fishing enthusiast Dr. James Boyd Houston is accused of harassing an attractive coed who is enrolled in one of his classes. The dean honors his one-year terminal contract but refuses to approve his application for tenure. He will be out of a job when the contract expires. Jimmy begins a halfhearted attempt to find other employment, but his primary task is to clear his name.State police trooper Peter Kowalski and lieutenant Sam Miller discover a young womans body abandoned along a lonely stretch of West Virginia highway. Preliminary investigation reveals that she was driving a rental car from Philadelphia and had been shot in the head. The front of the car is speckled with tiny gossamer-winged mayflies. Lieutenant Miller, an aging police officer with an eye for detail, pieces together the womans background and is surprised to discover evidence that leads him to the local college campus. The suspect is a well-respected botany professor.Jimmy is charged with the murder of his student. Out on bail, he uses his skills as a scientist and researcher to analyze the evidence against him. An uneasy truce is declared between Houston and Miller, who is not convinced of his guilt. Together they travel the mountains of West Virginia in search of the truth. Their investigation leads them through the dark worlds of devious friends, property developers, and drug dealers.As Dr. Houston experiences one catastrophe after another, he retreats to his mountain-top cabin. Unexpected help comes from the deans administrative assistant, an attractive young woman who is willing to risk her job to help him. They discover a mutual attraction as they search for answers and explore the mountains they both so dearly love. As the mystery deepens, Jimmy is led from Laurel Mountain to Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls, and Dolly Sods in his search for the truth.

264 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2017

Reviews

[Jim Woolwine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable mystery/beach read.

The author manned a card-table stand at the recent Preston County (WV) Arts and Crafts Festival. This, if I recall, is his third book.

Williams is a retired college professor and avid fly fisherman - similar traits of the protagonist in the novel. The book's college professor, though, ends up over his head in faculty turf battles, loves and lost loves, guns, marijuana, and, of course, the law. Hopefully a more exciting fictional life than Dr. Williams' actual teaching experiences.

Well written page turner.

[Marcia Chocinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly enjoyable, mystery, quick read about a college professor being accused of a variety of serious charges with several friends and acquaintances believing his innocence. Jimmy Houston teaches Botany, conducts research collecting/documenting the flora and fauna of WV along with being an avid fisherman. The book takes place close to where I live (I can see Backbone Mountain out my windows) and I enjoyed knowing where these events took place.
The book provides a lot of detailed descriptions, perhaps more than are necessary. (I can’t believe that I’m even saying that, as I do think that is a necessary part of good writing.)
I have also read another by this author in his historical fiction and enjoyed it as well. Always good to have a change of pace. I do believe this author has no other direction but onward and upward as he perfects his craft.
Btw - I found him and his books at the Rowlsburg Christmas market (early December) several years back and again in 2024. He sells his books at various craft shows and fairs or you can find them on amazon and other websites.