The Ploughman by Kim Zupan is exquisite work. Zupan's gift of language is evident throughout this novel, not about good and evil, but the soul of an unrepentant killer, John Gloud. Gloud's jailhouse conversations with the other main character Valentine Millimaki, a Deputy Sheriff in rural Montana, skirts on a father-son relationship, but reaches deep into the churning emptiness of this rather odd coupling.

Gloud, now in his seventies, having committed his first murder at 14, has been apprehended and placed in jail awaiting trial for murder. Val discovers his mother's hanging suicide in the farm's barn also at a very young age. Val, being the newest hire in the Sheriff's department draws the jailhouse guard night shift, putting an additional strain on his already teetering marriage. There is an instant bonding between Gloud and Val as they relive their love for farming and their appreciation of nature.

There is much death in this story, from the murders committed by John Gloud to the solitary search and rescue missions of Val with his dog, Tom in the farmlands and surrounding mountains of Montana. Unfortunately Val has only recovered the deceased as of late, which only adds to his burden.

Beyond the death and hardships endured, Zupan paints a tale of roads taken in youth which play out to disastrous consequences. The narratives and dialogue flow with such ease from Zupan's pen, that the story envelops you into the very innards of these two characters. I look forward to reading more from this gifted wordsmith. Highly recommended.

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