Paul Locander

"My father was born Francis Raymond Campbell on a cold West Virginia day in 1930. He claimed to have grown up on the rugged shores of the Bluestone River, where he often fished for bass, filling his bucket with shining trophies-smallmouth, largemouth, white, spotted-and allegedly the rare golden, a mutated king of the murky deep. Why his mother named him Francis no one will ever know; however, I'm sure he changed it to 'Frank' thirty seconds after the first bully's fist connected with his head."

— from Power & Way

Praise for Power & Way

• "Locander writes about rifts between father and son, a topic inspired by the complicated relationship he shared with his own father. He has not only written a compelling story but also created a vehicle for exploring and understanding the nuanced difficulties in familial relationships. Leaning into deeply vulnerable spaces, the author reminds us that we are capable of breaking generational curses, thus preventing history from repeating itself. Power and Way is a reminder that great beauty comes from great pain.
  
  Locander’s novel is not simply entertainment; it is a reminder that healing is always possible, no matter how difficult and painful the circumstances."

  — Carin Chea, InMag.com

• "More measured drama than outright mystery, the novel draws its strength from attention to character over plot. Locander resists easy answers or contrived resolutions, allowing his characters, and readers, to wrestle honestly with guilt, loyalty, and love. As the first installment in a planned series, this will appeal to those who favor slow-burn drama over thriller pacing–and leave them eager to see what comes next."

  — BookLife (Publishers Weekly)

• "Paul Locander gives us a gripping account of America's fall from grace, a story of runaway violence, and the salvaging of broken dreams."

  — Joseph Coulson, author of The Vanishing Moon

• "The author takes time to populate Granite Point with memorable characters. It may be a tough place, but the residents have engaging personalities. Humanizing details elevate the story and the reader, drawn in by the distinctive characters, will welcome a mix of complex characters and a deadly mystery to solve."

  — Kirkus Reviews