Brief

A big city writer returns to his small town in rural Oregon, forced to revisit a dark childhood secret he shares with an estranged friend, when he unwittingly becomes an FBI informant.

What We Liked

- Strong, original story; intriguing concept with twists and turns;
- Cast of flawed and deeply engaging characters - great material for actors;
- Action sequences and a murder mystery;
- It shines a light on an important political issues currently faced in the country;
- Cinematic sequences, strong arc, and compelling, memorable characters;
- Well-suited as both a film and a limited series.

Synopsis

Greg Simmons, a 38-year-old writer living with his much younger girlfriend, Emily, is reminded of a
dark secret from his past when he is contacted by the FBI for help in a case - possibly involving an old
friend. When Greg meets with Agent Torres of the FBI, he is intrigued by the idea of writing about a
Militia amassing in rural Oregon, but he is less excited about the prospect of facing his old friend
Donny Wilkie, who was previously thought to be dead. He declines the agent’s offer.
Greg relives the time he and Donny accidentally killed a security guard and buried his body in a remote
area mountain near a lake. They have kept the dark secret to themselves ever since. After Donny’s
presumed death, Greg thought he too would take the secret to his grave. Learning that Donnie may
still be alive puts the fear of being found out back in the foreground. Greg decides to see for himself if
Donnie is still alive. He packs to take the drive out of the city to the rural area Torres indicated.
He is quickly reunited with Donny, who has changed his identity to Charlie Adler. He faked his death in
Mexico and has now reinvented himself as the kept man of a wealthy heiress and land owner, Karen
Callum. Donny takes Greg into his home. They are both wary of each other. As Greg starts to explore
around town, Wayne Carver, a suspicious militia man, maliciously stalks him - which puts him on
edge. Torres eventually discovers that Greg has gone behind his back and is doing research on his
own. Now Greg has no choice but to become an informant for the FBI. Greg watches Donny with the
militia men and it’s clear to him that Donny doesn’t really believe the nonsense. Torres is not
convinced, but is willing to be open minded.
Greg informs Torres of a militia prank that is about to take place. In an effort to keep his identity as
the informant concealed, he hides out in the Callum house. Greg is surprised to find Donny there
rather than pulling the prank with the others. Both Donny and Greg confront each other about the past
and present. When they come to blows, Wayne surprises them with a shotgun. Suspicious of both, he
is about to kill them, when Donny’s teenage son Gunnar shoots and kills Wayne. Donny insists on
taking the blame and he goes on the run. With Gunnar safe with a neighbor, Greg returns to Portland.
Torres ultimately tracks Donny to Portland and in an escape attempt, Donny falls to his death. Greg,
his secret now safe, is unable to write a book about this experience per his FBI agreement. However,
they set him up in an apartment. He forges a fatherly relationship with Gunnar and helps bridge the
gaps between him and his mother, Leeann. Karen puts her own interests behind her and gives up the
water/dam rights to the people of rural Oregon, and Greg has his previous work validated by fans as
the story closes.

About The Author

The author of several novels on WWII, Steve Anderson, writes here about his home state. He is an editor and translator, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon.