Dead Man at Snake's Creek

Credence, Texas, is a divided town due to the closure of the Shawnee Trail. Johnny Hartford returns home for his brother's wedding, but everything has changed since he left ten years ago. He seeks help from Sheriff Milton, but the day after he arrives, a prominent local rancher is shot in the back, and Hartford discovers that almost everyone in the town has a reason for wanting him dead.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2017
Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd

Credence, Texas, a once-thriving town, has been struggling since the closure of the Shawnee Trail, leaving it divided by bitterness, resentment, and long-standing feuds. When Johnny Hartford returns home for his brother's wedding, he finds a town on the brink of collapse. Ten years earlier, he left Credence in pursuit of a career as a Pinkerton Agent in Chicago, but the war has changed everything. His father is barely communicative, his brother is out of control, and cattle rustling is becoming a widespread issue. Determined to make amends and solve the town's problems, Hartford seeks assistance from Sheriff Milton. However, just as he arrives, a prominent local rancher is shot in the back, and Hartford realizes that almost everyone in the town has a motive for wanting him dead.

As Hartford delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that spans generations. He encounters a cast of characters, each with their own motivations and agendas, including his estranged father, his brother's girlfriend, and a mysterious woman named Sarah. Hartford must navigate through treacherous terrain, including rivalries, betrayals, and unexpected alliances, to uncover the truth and bring the cattle thieves to justice.

Along the way, Hartford learns valuable lessons about family, loyalty, and the power of forgiveness. He realizes that the closure of the Shawnee Trail has not only divided the town but also created deep wounds that may never heal. However, he remains steadfast in his determination to restore peace and prosperity to Credence, using his skills as a Pinkerton Agent and his newfound understanding of the town's history to bring about change.

In the end, Hartford emerges as a hero, not only in the eyes of his family but also in the community. He has solved the mystery of the cattle rustling and brought closure to the long-standing feuds that have plagued Credence. The town is transformed, and the people are united in their determination to move forward and build a better future.

Credence, Texas, once a dying town, has been revitalized by the courage and determination of Johnny Hartford. His journey through the town's secrets and lies teaches him valuable lessons about family, loyalty, and forgiveness, and his ultimate success in bringing peace and prosperity back to Credence serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of community.

Weight: 246g
Dimension: 130 x 193 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780719825767