Ron Rash

Paperback edition
The year is 1929, and newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton travel from Boston to the North Carolina mountains where they plan to create a timber empire. Although George has already lived in the camp long enough to father an illegitimate child, Serena is new to the mountains — but she soon shows herself to be the equal of any man, overseeing crews, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving her husband's life in the wilderness. Together they engage in a campaign of violence and retribution as they sheer the Carolina forests in their unbridled quest for attainment and power. Standing in their way will be government officials aiming to annex land for the national parks, squirrelly business partners, two-timing employees, righteous lawmen and anyone else fool enough to contradict their dominance. This is an impeccably crafted saga with rich characters and suspense, complete with one of the best opening and closing scenes we've read in a long time.

A Turnrow top pick for 2008.