After the Wind

by Roger L. Conlee

Following the death of William Randoplh Hearst, newspaper report and editor Jake Weaver tries to help Hearst's long-time companion and lover, Marion Davies, receive a fair share of the Hearst fortune. That is an up-hill battle and one that enmeshes Weaver in a murder investigation, an investigation in which he himself becomes a prime suspect. At the same time, Marine officer Kenny Nielsen finds himself engaged in some dramatic events in the early phases of the Korean War, leading to his being seriously wounded. After Nielsen is sent to a naval hospital in San Diego for treatment and rehabilitation, it becomes clear that his sometimes shaky marriage is now seriously threatened by his wife's personal ambitions. Jake Weaver goes to great lengths to extricate himself from the murder investigation, not always making the best choices in the process; and Kenny Nielsen begins to wonder whether, in his hopes to preserve his marriage, he is only chasing after the wind. 

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2018

About the author

Roger L. Conlee, who lives in San Diego, is a longtime journalist, author and public relations professional. Highlights include:

- Principal of Conlee Communications, a now-inactive public relations and marketing firm.

- Former features staffer, copy editor and men's fashion columnist, CHICAGO DAILY NEWS. Former chief copy editor and sportswriter, SAN DIEGO EVENING TRIBUNE. Former Communications Director, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

- Writing awards:

-Winner of the Action/Thriller Fiction Award in the 2010 San Diego Book Awards for The Hindenburg Letter.

-Winner of the Fantasy/Science Fiction Award in the 2007 San Diego Book Awards for Counterclockwise.

-Distinguished Honor Award for Every Shape, Every Shadow, Military Writers Society of America, 2006.

"One of the 100 Best Short Stories of the Year," WRITERS' DIGEST, 1997.

The Nonfiction Award, Southern California Writers' Conference, 1995.

- Affiliations:

Past director of the San Diego Press Club, San Diego County chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), San Diego State University Alumni Association. Past president of the San Diego Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Recipient of PRSA's Eva Irving Achievement Award, 1996; former San Diego Public Relations Professional of the Year.

Novels:

- THE HINDENBURG LETTER . Latest historical thriller. An impetuous reporter for William Randolph Hearst risks his very life to steal into Nazi Germany during World War II on a desperate mission of family revenge.


- COUNTERCLOCKWISE. A tale of war, spies, time travel, and a Southern California few could know or imagine. A place beyond space and time. Did squadrons of Japanese planes attack Los Angeles with a devastating air raid during World War II? And could a man do something about it fifty years later?

- EVERY SHAPE, EVERY SHADOW. A historical novel on the Battle of Guadalcanal, published by Pale Horse Books."

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 14, 1951 - Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst has died and a mess of events is about to turn Jake Weaver's life upside down.

Jake Weaver is a reporter-turned-assistant editor. He's worked for Hearst's paper a long time. He cut his teeth by traveling inside Nazi Germany during the war (twice!), helped locate and turn over the celebrated German scientist Werner von Braun over to the Allies, faced off with America's mob, and more. In all this melee he was fortunate enough to marry Valerie and keep his daughter Ilse together.

But when Jake tries to help Marion Davies, Hearst's lover, acquire her share of the Hearst fortune, things take a bad turn. Hearst's estranged wife for one, and sons for two, don't want to split what they believe rightfully belongs to the family. Worse for Jake, Hearst Junior is slated to take over the 'Herald' Newspaper where Jake works. When it becomes known how Jake is helping Ms. Davies with her share of the Hearst fortune, his future with the paper is in doubt.

Jake attempts to learn details of the Hearst will by visiting the family lawyer, who won't budge an inch, instead choosing to deny Jake a peek at the will. Jake wonders why? Could Ms. Davies be left more by William Randolph Hearst than the family wanted her to have?

Jake befriends a semi-retired, classic film star for the man's lesser-known abilities of not-so-legal skills in order to learn more about the Hearst will. However, Jake soon finds himself at the wrong place and wrong time when he stumbles across a man shot in the head, and a witness painting Jake a primary suspect.

Meanwhile, Kenny Nielsen, a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marines, lies in a hospital bed in San Diego after horrific fighting in North Korea. During this time he reflects on childhood memories which have scarred him in many ways. With his wife, Claudia, focusing on her medical studies in Los Angeles, getting close to her professor, Kenny wonders how things could have turned so poorly over so short a time.

With Jake and his family working feverishly to clear his name, and Kenny lying helpless and wondering what his future will be like with a banged up leg, both will have to be stronger than ever before to come through this series of events and not simply end up chasing 'After the Wind.'

I've been a fan of the Jake Weaver/Kenny Nielsen novels by author Roger L. Conlee for many years. I enjoy the way his fictional characters interact with real-life persons during this period, making them part of historical events that could very well have been true. Conlee's knack for creative writing and historical accuracy are second-to-none, and his writing style has been an inspiration for me. You will enjoy this novel along with his other books. I know I have. As I've said before, keep on reading!

[Indy Quillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read this genre, but the writing is spot on and Conlee’s background as a sportswriter and military historian adds a great dimension of authenticity to the story. As his fictional characters smoothly interacted with historical figures it reminded me that this is the reality of history. Many ‘ordinary’ folk have profound influence on what ends up in the history books.

[Kirk Raeber · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Wind is a very entertaining book which I found very enjoyable. The story is fun and historical facts add to the wonder of the book. I most highly recommend this book.