Scout's Honor

In 1969, 18-year-old Eddie Kawadsky's life is turned upside down. After his Navy pilot father dies in Vietnam, Eddie is abandoned by his grieving mother and finds himself penniless and alone on the streets of his hometown. His one chance to pursue his dreams of college and naval aviation seems lost. In his desperation, Eddie falls in with his charismatic but untrustworthy neighbor Roy Cross who offers him $3,000 to transport what Eddie believes is a small amount of marijuana into Mexico. Seeing it as his only way out, Eddie reluctantly agrees.

But crossing the border proves to be just the beginning of Eddie's troubles. Betrayed by Roy and on the run from vengeful narcotraficantes, corrupt cops, and his own demons, Eddie flees to New York City. Over the next 25 years under the assumed identity of real estate mogul Richard Austen, Eddie works to build a new life and fortune. But the sins and secrets of his past continue to haunt him.

When an unexpected visitor from his past shows up in New York demanding hush money, Austen is forced to confront the mistakes from his youth. In order to protect the new life he has worked so hard for and the wife he has come to love, he must make the ultimate sacrifice. But will it be enough to redeem his honor lost so long ago? Or will the temptation of his past prove too strong?

With an intricate plot spanning 1960's counterculture, the Vietnam War, 1970's gritty New York real estate world, the grandeur and hardship of the Marine Corps, and more, Scout's Honor is a sweeping novel of suspense that explores larger themes of morality, guilt, trust, and redemption. Populated with flawed yet compelling characters, Scout's Honor will appeal to fans of both character-driven literary fiction, thrillers, and redemption tales.