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Cedar Rapids author Ed Gorman s successfully-drawn literary picture of Sam McCain s coming of age comes to a close in the satisfying Riders on the Storm (Pegasus, 208 pages, $25.95). Gorman introduced McCain in The Day the Music Died and in a series of 10 novels (all with song titles) takes the young Iowa attorney/private investigator on a journey through a captivating time of societal evolution from 1958 though 1971. The books feature a mystery to solve always accomplished deftly but the series for me is just as much about the growth of the character, a town and even a nation. Along with McCain, we ve experienced anew the seeming simplicity of small-town Iowa in the 1950s, Buddy Holly s death, the Cold War, civil rights campaigns, political campaigns, hippie communes and, finally, the stark realities of a long conflict in Vietnam. The latter figures heavily in Riders on the Storm. McCain is back home after a boot camp injury prematurely ends his military career as a draftee. But the consequences of war have reached everywhere, including Black River Falls, where emotions run high on both side of the issue. One of McCain s friends joins a group of veterans against the war and is brutally beaten by another veteran because of it. When the one who delivered the beating turns up dead, his victim is the obvious suspect. McCain doesn t agree and begins a quest for the truth. As always, Gorman s narrative is driven by an impeccable sense of time and place. Those of us who lived it, revel in the vivid memories. Those who didn t, get a taste of the shaping of a generation. Another hallmark of this series is development of characters who have depth and who matter most notably McCain. We ve witnessed his growth; now it s bittersweet as we re left to ponder where he goes from here. Oh, one more thing. Faithful readers who ve wondered if Sam gets the girl finally get an answer. Meet the author

What: Meet Ed Gorman at the Celebrate Writing mini-conference 
When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth St., Marion
Cost: Free
More information: Read more about the conference on page 14

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