The Thundering Smoke

DURING THE VIOLENT 1920s IRISH LIBERATION WAR, TOM SUTTON BECOMES A SOUGHT-AFTER REVOLUTIONARY. AFTER HIS WIFE WAS VICIOUSLY ASSAULTED, RAPED AND MURDERED BY BLACK & TANS, HE LEAVES HIS HOMELAND, THINKING HIS SON ALSO SUFFERED THE SAME FATE. ARRIVING BY COINCIDENCE IN AFRICA, HE RELAPSES INTO ALCOHOLISM AFTER BEING BROKEN-HEARTED AND PENNILESS. BY A QUIRK OF FATE, A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BOWL OF SOUP BRINGS HIM BACK FROM A LIVING HELL. TOGETHER WITH THE GIRL HEIDI AND HIS ONLY FRIEND FROM THE LIBERATION WAR, THEY TRAVEL NORTH ON RHODESIAN RAILWAYS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN THE SMALL WORKING GOLDMINES, FINALLY ARRIVING AT MOSI-AO-TUNYA, THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS (VICTORIA FALLS). HE ADOPTS HEIDI AND BY VIRTUE OF HEIDI'S INHERITANCE FROM HER DECEASED FATHER THEY ARRIVE AT THE VAST TREK OF LAND KNOWN AS DEMBERRA. WITH THE HELP OF AN AFRICAN-FRIEND THEY EMBARK ON A NEW FUTURE. HOWEVER, VIOLENCE, REVENGE, AND DEATH PLAGUE THEM. IF TOM SUTTON'S LIFE WAS BROKEN OR HE FAILED TO CONFRONT IT DURING THE IRISH LIBERATION WAR, ONLY TIME WILL TELL. SUTTON'S STORY COVERS FRIENDSHIPS, ADVERSARIES, HIS CHILD'S WOMANHOOD, AND HER JEALOUSY WHEN MARIA ENTERS HIS LIFE. ONLY MOSI-OA-TUNYA WILL DETERMINE A CLIMATIC ENDING TO THEIR LOVE, LUST, ANGER AND REVENGE. THIS IS SUTTON'S STORY, OFTEN POIGNANT, OFTEN JOYFUL BUT AS BIG AND EXCITING AND EPICAL AS AFRICA ITSELF.

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