Devil's Bridge

by Greg Lilly

Two friends, Myra and Topher, deal with their twisting lives. Her husband beats her, his lover ignores him, and their friendship must bend with changes of its own.Dealing with their own problems, Myra's increasingly violent husband and Topher's unrequited love for his partner Alex, they don't realize how much their lives parallel each other. Myra's husband Gil controls her actions with his violence. Doubts finally creep into Myra's reluctant mind. Her dream of a happy family is slipping out of her reach. Although Topher helps her build self-esteem and is the stable influence in her life, he is in a crisis over where he fits in the gay community - too old for the club life, but not in a stable committed relationship. He allows Alex to manipulate him with the future possibility of love.Finding strength to leave their relationships, Myra and Topher decide to escape from their life and start over -- together. But, Myra's husband craves revenge. At a place called DEVIL'S BRIDGE, vengeance is redeemed.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2007

About the author

Greg Lilly grew up in Bristol, Virginia then lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. The rich storytelling tradition of the South captivated him and he began writing. He first turned to creating short stories after plot lines and characters emerged from the technical manuals he wrote for a large family-owned corporation. His first novel, Fingering the Family Jewels – a Derek Mason Mystery, grew from those Charlotte experiences.

To escape the city and find a slower pace, he relocated to Sedona, Arizona for several years. During that time, his novels Devil's Bridge and Under a Copper Moon chronicled adventures of the high desert—present and past.

Scalping the Red Rocks is the next novel in the Derek Mason Mystery series and unites the Derek Mason characters with the lead characters of Devil's Bridge.

Greg’s non-fiction book is Sunsets & Semicolons – a Field Guide to the Writer’s Life. In the book, he shares his experiences and techniques – things that worked, not in academia or in New York City, but in the real world of freelancing and query letters and book signings. He has presented workshops and served on panels at the College of William & Mary's Christopher Wren Association, the Virginia Festival of the Book, the Virginia Writers Club, the World Bank in Washington D.C., Malice Domestic, Bouchercon, and the Sedona Arts Center in Sedona, Arizona. The kernel of the book came from requests for his workshop handouts and notes.

His latest novel, Stray, follows a son searching for his womanizer father who left almost 30 years before, a daughter grasping for her distant mother, and the shadows cast on them by the Lost Colony of Roanoke and Virginia’s witch trials.

Greg is a freelance writer, magazine editor, as well as a former Arts & Culture commissioner for the City of Sedona, Arizona, for the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, and for the Abingdon Arts Commission. He serves on the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Advisory Panel. Today, he writes and lives in the historic town of Abingdon in Southwestern Virginia.

His next book is a historical True Crime from Arcadia Publishing's The History Press scheduled for release in the summer of 2024.

Reviews

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a truly interesting read, and I loved the characters that were introduced. The characters of Topher & Myra, and their relationship, reminded me so much of a relationship I had with a friend in high school. There are many similarities to that relationship and mine, but I have since lost touch with my friend; therefore, I just pray he is safe & happy.

This book was a pleasant read for me, and knowing it was written by someone from my hometown & high school was sort of surreal to me. I would read it again, and I will definitely try to obtain the other books by this author.

I recommend this book to mystery/thriller lovers, those interested in reading about true to life characters and anyone who is interested in reading about gay/lesbian couples. I personally feel this book could be enjoyed by many, and I believe you will be glad you read it - pleasantly surprised as you travel with the characters through their journey to finding themselves, becoming free.

[Keith Pyeatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a gay man, a lesbian, and a battered woman can't make a good suspense story, who can? Okay, that was a clumsy modification of a clever battle cry in the novel Devil's Bridge, but it works for this review.

I enjoyed the way author Greg Lilly created his characters. The main ones, Topher and Myra, the gay man and battered woman, are well developed in their initial situations in Charlotte. Then they radically alter their situations by fleeing North Carolina to start new lives. I particularly enjoy the way the dynamics between Topher and Myra change as they make their way to Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, and finally Arizona.

Devil's Bridge is definitely about the characters, but there's plenty of suspense dropped in at just the right moments to keep things moving. I enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it to readers who value friendships.

[Neet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very intense read. W e meet best friends since high school Topher and Myra. Topher ihas been in a relationship with Alec for 1 year and on the outside it seems perfect, but in reality it's going nowhere. Alec is an attorney who seems to care more about his career than Topher. W e also meet Myra, who is married to Gil. Gil is hot tempered and constantly puts Myra down. Myra tries to make excuses for Gil's steadily abusive behavior that has gotten more physical. Topher wants. Myra, who is an intelligent and loving woman to leave this cruel, racist and homophobic jerk. This book is how both Toher & Myra both escape relationships that aren't good for them and the journey that will change their lives. This is a very good read and highly recommended!

[Paul Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just discovered Lilly, upon the recommendation of a friend. Really enjoyed his unique settings and writing style here! I'll have to go check out his other books now!