Broken Heartstrings

Embittered Ashton Chenault returns from serving in Vietnam to an ungrateful country and an emotionally distant family. Seeking meaning in his vapid life, he takes a monotonous job in an eastern Massachusetts mill. There, he meets Evangeline, a mesmerizing girl from the restrictive local Greek community. Sensitive, loyal Ashton pursues and marries the girl of his dreams, but his culture collides with that of Evangeline s family. He uncovers sinister dealings involving prominent community leaders: an orthodox Greek priest; Evangeline s father, a respected businessman; and a prominent Greek doctor. All flout the law and threaten his life. To survive and protect his marriage, Ashton learns to fight again now against a shadow enemy. He and Evangeline suffer grievous personal losses; a plot to disinherit them engulfs them in espionage, collusion, and legal maneuvers. Eventually, in a bizarre twist, a climactic showdown in a highly publicized court action exposes both the family s and the community s unspeakable secrets.