Black Crow : 9781490327624

The emotionally intricate and compelling landscape of revenge, rivalry, love, and loyalty forms the backdrop to a gripping adventure in "Black Crow," M Cracknell's fist book. Shem Smith is a man with a mysterious past; as a teenager, he and his brother Rafe were brutally kidnapped from their privileged positions and thrust into a savage world of slavery. Only through good fortune and ongoing family support did they manage to escape this fate. Now, Shem is established as a formidable leader under a new identity. He has worked tirelessly to plot his revenge against those who wronged him, building his empire to achieve the ultimate goal. He hopes with all his heart that this pursuit will quell his demons and diminish the blackness that surrounds him.

Shem's primary adversary is the new riding officer, Hartright Mordesan, a gentleman aiming to make a name for himself. He quickly becomes entangled in deception, accepting increasing bribes to turn a blind eye. He soon realizes that he cannot overcome the smugglers who have the locals on their side and the gentry in their pockets. His frustration mounts as Shem repeatedly outwits him, leading Hartright to take drastic measures that only exacerbate his troubles.