A Box Full of Teeth

In 1989, jaded Special Operations veteran Phillip Rhyader joins the Peace Corps in an attempt to escape his past and to restore a sense of balance to his life. Nine months later, 14 people are dead. Was it something he said? "A Box Full Of Teeth" is the story of one man's journey to shed a life of violence and darkness, and find his second chance in a remote corner of the world. Although he arrives in Morocco with the best intentions, Phillip's stay begins with a month-long, hashish-fueled patchwork of chaos and misadventure. As he spirals out of control, an unexpected violent encounter jolts him into correcting his course. As he settles into his new role as a rural third world schoolteacher, he finds himself surrounded by an odd assortment of friends: The seductive and sophisticated daughter of his headmaster, a small group of young Muslim professors, and a tubercular prostitute, and an indigent, mentally unbalanced former political prisoner. Much to his surprise, the pastoral existence Phillip had sought slowly takes shape. But when a police raid ends with the disappearance of one of his students, Phillip makes the miscalculation of getting involved. His refusal to remain complacent sets into motion a chain of events that ultimately force him to choose between keeping his new life, or fighting - and perhaps killing - to protect those around him. "A Box Full Of Teeth" is an unforgettable story that intertwines two very different worlds - US Special Forces and US Peace Corp - into a story of despair, tragedy and forgiveness. Told in a stark, compelling voice, it vividly paints a picture of the Arab world that few have seen, and leaves the reader with a touching tale of love and loss.