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This fast-paced novel replete with danger and sex is set on the campus of the fictional Pine Mountain College. One of the smaller universities in Kentucky, PMC has earned a reputation for providing courses in rustic sciences and cultures. The trigger point for the story is the hiring of a new school president. Jason Malmuth arrives with plans to change the college into his vision of a sophisticated, polished educational establishment.
To accomplish his task, several professors have to go, even if evil ways must be employed. For example, John Jaykyll is highly respected but is suspected of visiting a head doctor about confrontational fears. Roger Duvant should be the easiest to remove since he is not tenured. And, of course, there are geologist Daniel Crockett and field ecologist Nathaniel Boone who share technical information about the mountains and vicinity. Nothing happens as planned when the first semester unfolds. Neither mountainside pushes nor faulty brake lines can quite spoil the day. Even Belle's bottom is not as dangerous as it seems. Large donations from college supporters arrive in the nick of time. The long-anticipated ending provides both unexpected outcomes and surprising helpers.
Peake has created a strong antagonist with evil cohorts to joust against the likable protagonists. Most of the characters in this book have a real heart and love for their way of life. Will President Malmuth ever learn to appreciate the natural beauty of his campus and community? Can 'Jack' Jaykyll gather the courage to slay his giant? The author's novel is entertaining while informative regarding the Appalachian culture of mountainous Kentucky. Mystery and danger, along with vivid sexual encounters, quickly attract and hold the reader's attention. Humor also shows up in the names of characters and places.
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