A Fouled Nest

In a starting mix of abrupt confessions, resurfacing memories, and disturbing clues, Venice Webb is left to piece together the incidents that have forever marked his family. Venice fled the family nest in Los Gatos, California, as a young man, never understanding the reason for his father's neglect or the other bizarre family dynamics-and knowing he probably never would. Now, some thirty years later, the truth is closing in on him like a freight train at full speed. __ Venice is a former firefighter and recovering alcoholic in his mid-fifties. He spends his days trying to remain sober and working as a fire-cause investigator for a Seattle-based insurance company. But his daily routine is interrupted by a phone call from his older sister who tells him their father has died. __ Although apathetic about his father, Venice heads back to Los Gatos to help his sister and uncle with funeral arrangements. Before long his bittersweet home­coming turns into a complete life change when he moves back home. This decision allows him to reconnect with his high school girlfriend and exposes more than one dark family secret.