The Shadow of Violence — Daniel Robinson

A noir novella set in Depression-era Southern Colorado. Following his release from jail for robbery, the novella's unnamed narrator drives into Trinidad, Colorado, looking for Ida Rose, the woman who stole the money from him that he had originally stolen.

 

All he wants is his share of the loot, nothing more. For the past few years, he has thought of little besides that money. Like a man at the bottom of a well looking at the light above, that money has been all he could see. He'll lie and fight for it; he's willing to kill for it, and he may die because of it.

 

What he wants in life, however, is not what he needs, and his desire for the money may prevent him from finding what he truly needs.

DISCLAIMER:  I believe it only ethical on my part as the author of this novella to point out a problem with the publishing of this book.  The story is good; you will enjoy it.  However, you will notice that there are problematic errors in the copy.  The editor at Texas Review Press submitted an early, uncorrected proof to the printer instead of the final proof that I had labored over.  He refuses to rectify his error, an error that may disrupt the reading of this fine story.