Blood Up North
by Fredrick Soukup
Vine Leaves Press


"They both knew that despite her clean record and docility, she would go along with his plan."

In this tale of family dysfunction and criminality, Soukup explores the dynamics of siblings Cass and Jack and their criminal father. When Jack steals a large sum of money from a dubious character, he enlists the help of Cass to help him hide the money. Cass soon discovers that Jack was coerced to steal the money and that both brother and sister are now in danger. It's not only the man from whom Jack stole who puts a bounty on his head but also criminal elements in their own family that pose a threat to Cass and Jack. Cass now must reach into herself and access a part of her psyche that she has worked hard to suppress. Given no choice but to confront the danger posed by both family and foe, she finds the strength to fight back. In doing so, she is confronted by the truth about her family and her brother's involvement in the theft.

This is a masterfully written story of a girl who is compelled to confront the demons of the past. Cass is a memorable character who musters the strength to discover the truth of her brother's involvement in the theft of a large sum of money as well as her mother's death years before. Though she has maintained an impeccable reputation in her attempt to break the family tradition of criminal activity, she now finds that the trait of ruthlessness embedded in her DNA is her best recourse. Soukup draws readers into the narrative with well-rounded characters and a plot that keeps them reading. This is one of those hard-to-put-down books that immediately grabs one's attention and doesn't let go.

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