Trey S. Barker 2,000 Miles to Open Road

2,000 Miles to Open Road

Trey S. Barker

Five Star, Jul 2005, $25.95, 303 pp.

ISBN: 15941432344

In Carson City, Nevada, Halford Turnbull negotiates with Jonathan Templeton exchanging a DVD that proves he did not commit murder for $20,000. However, before they complete the exchange Dogwood intercedes demanding the 20K belongs to him as Halford stole the loot form him. All hell breaks out with bullets firing everywhere. As the cops arrive, Halford escapes, but as he drives off a woman dives through the passenger window of his car.

Halford's new "partner" Apple Valley gives him instruction on how to get out of town with cops everywhere. He knows his only hope for freedom is to reach his brother Hanford who assumes Halford is guilty. The trek to Huntsville, Texas is dangerous with cops ready to bust him at every point, two groups of goons chasing after him for the DVD or the money or both, and even a local church wants to literally bust him. Only Apple Valley seems to get him through roadblocks, but he wonders what the former stripper wants of him.

2,000 MILES TO OPEN ROAD is a wild thriller in which everyone seems slightly deranged (eccentric seems too gentle of a description). Thus the audience will have a good time hitching along with Apple and Halford as it seems like half of Nevada want him dead, the money he stole, and the DVD he needs to prove his innocence. Readers who enjoy a wild ride will want to sit cannonball with the lead duo as they are chased across the southwest.

Harriet Klausner