Municipal government--Fiction; Political corruption--Fiction; Political ethics--Fiction; Mormons--Fiction; Mormons--Fiction; Utah--Fiction
Matthew Sterling is a man on the way up. As assistant city manager in the Wasatch Front community of Snowy Ridge, Utah, the 21st century looks promising for this recent Brigham Young University law school graduate. But a strange twist in the local government elections is going to impact Matt’s life profoundly—and it promises to turn affairs in Snowy Ridge upside-down. Julia Wells is the new mayor of this predominantly Latter-day Saint community. As she assumes her mayoral duties, she realizes things there are not as they seem. Julia—a Lutheran—suspects corruption in City Hall.
Matt soon finds himself caught in the middle of the ensuing investigation. Initially, he has a naïve faith that everyone at City Hall wants to get the facts out. But he soon learns that those in power will become vicious when they feel threatened, and he is faced with a critical choice. Should he look the other way to protect himself and his job? Or should he risk losing his reputation and his career to make sure the truth is revealed? And will the woman in his life trust him, or will she believe the supposedly good saints who have set their sights on destroying his credibility?
As Matt’s own life begins to unravel, he is struck by the similarity of his experiences to those of his ancestor, a Revolutionary War hero. After discovering Andrew McBride’s journal, Matt is drawn into the life of this true patriot who, despite his acts of courage, was terribly misunderstood by his contemporaries. The stories of Matt and Andrew are deftly woven together to an astonishing climax. [from publisher web site]