Publisher's Synopsis
A remarkable debut novel. A powerful story of friendship, love and betrayal.
In a high mountain valley, a group of disparate characters have set up a rudimentary community, held together by the formidable Emaline, hostess of the wayside inn. It is there that Alex, on the run from something, concealed under a false identity, finds refuge but that arrival brings dramatic change to Motherlode.
In the small settlement, no one asks questions about where you have come from or who you are. They all know each other's virtues and vices: the rules are few and their own justice swift, an Eden of a sort. But then Alex, who has discovered fellowship for the first time, finds gold, a large gold nugget and with that one lucky strike, gold fever hits, everyone becomes a gold digger and outsiders of all kinds pour in. Houses, stores and streets replace the tents and mud paths. Wives, preachers, lawmen come to town and try to impose their order, their form of society on what they perceive as a lawless, godless community. And the past catches up with Alex.
So will the community betray their Golden Boy? Will Alex's true identity be discovered? Will the prejudice now present in the town be able to destroy Emaline and the rich spirit of her inn? Can Motherlode survive its gold rush?
Crown of Dust presents a timeless dilemma - can freedom and society co-exist - and is peopled with a wonderful cast of characters from Joseph longing always for his Cornish moors, John with his twin passions for the bible and whisky, Limpy with his recognizable ability of always finding the main chance and a sucker to persuade, Harry with a story, apparently from his own life, suited for any situation, Emaline full of tough love and an acceptance of people and Alex, a survivor against immense odds. Mary Volner is a great discovery, a storyteller with a remarkable voice.