Charles Roe

Barren River Charles Roe

Barren Riveris set in the southern Kentuckycave country in 1962. Arnie Travers andMorgan Hargett are lifelong friends who have taken to exploring caverns in theregion hoping to find one interesting enough to develop and exploit throughpublic display. The story begins withthe proceedings of a coroner's inquest into the death of Morgan who has becometrapped in a cave that he and Arnie are exploring. He apparently has fallen into a pit insidethe cave and died of his injuries. Arniehas found his way out and summoned help for Morgan, but too late. During the inquest Morgan's wifeaccuses Arnie of murdering Morgan and reveals that she and Arnie have had anaffair and have planned to go away together. Arnie's testimony convinces the jury that the affair had ended and thathe has held no grudge against Morgan. The coroner's jury is sent out to deliberate the verdict and most of themembers who have known Morgan and Arnie for several years are ready to rule itan accident. One member, a young man newto the town, demurs. He thinks this is arush to judgment and he wants further discussion of the other two possibleverdicts - murder or suicide. He isfinally beaten down by the others of the jury and a verdict of accidental deathis returned. But has justice been served? How have we arrived at this moment? The book recounts the events leading up tothe time of the inquest to reveal the startling facts behind the death.