SHATTERED JUSTICE

When Deputy Sheriff Dan Justice and his wife, Sarah, target practice in the woods with bows and arrows, the unthinkable happens. Sarah's arrow strikes a yellow jacket nest, and the angry insects sting her repeatedly, causing an allergic reaction that kills her. Stevie Ray Dallimore's textured characterizations capture the challenges to Dan's faith at the loss of his beloved wife. Dallimore’s portrayal of Dan's sudden decision to move to a small town in Oregon for a new start is especially believable. Although Dan continues to mourn—declining to participate in the new community—his children like their new home, school, and friends. The kids, at least, begin to heal—until the unthinkable happens again. This time Dan's faith may never recover. Dallimore deftly dramatizes a family in spiritual crisis. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]