Books by PEAKE R.H. PEAKE

Jimmy Russo is a successful businessman and an obsessive lister of the world's birds-until his murder while on a safari in Sierra Leone, Africa. Few of his fellow travelers mourn his death, as his constant negativity, foul mouth, and abuse of his wife, Jane, have long since alienated them. One of them, Jackson Burnbridge, has known the couple since meeting them on a birding tour in Argentina while recovering from a rough divorce after twenty years of marriage. What's more, he and Jane Russo have a past-an affair in Argentina that Jane wants to renew in Africa, despite his resistance. Jack is well aware that this, along with Jimmy's jealousy of him, makes him a prime suspect, and so he carefully reviews the trip, hoping to suss out the identity of the killer. Meanwhile, he finds himself drawn to another member of the group, Iris Fogelman, and wonders if they can find happiness together, in spite of Jane's continued pursuit of him. In this novel, when an obnoxious traveler is killed while on safari, a man who had an affair with the victim's wife deals with the aftermath of the murder and searches for a love of his own.

John Jaykyll, professor at a small college in southern Appalachia, is having a mid-life crisis resulting from his conflict with the new college president, who hates his mountain origins, and dislikes Jaykyll because he is defending mountain literature and culture and the young professor in charge of this program who is accused by a crazy French professor of having an affair with his wife. His jealousy leads to seeking the murder of his neighbor, the young English professor. The French professor supports the malicious and crooked president of the college. Jaykyll undergoes treatment by a psychologist, who uncovers the source of the professor's problem in his fear of a loss of love from conflict with his lovers. Jaykyll enlists many supporters, uncovers the illegal dealings of President Malmuth, and defeats his enemy.

Everett "Moon" Lunamin returns from battles in Vietnam determined to gain wealth and social status mining coal during the coal boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Moon struggles with his cousin George Landsetter, a reclamation officer, and surface mining competitors whose greed exceeds their ethics. He succeeds and marries his high school sweetheart, whose family accepts him because he is now wealthy. Moon becomes unhappy that his wife Susan enjoys his money but is unhappy with his efforts to obtain it. They both neglect their son and seek companionship outside their marriage, but Susan refuses divorce to keep her lifestyle. Moon returns from a trip to Africa with his lover and finds Susan murdered with his shotgun. Beset by the IRS, an ambitious prosecutor, and several jealous cousins, Moon struggles to save his business and his life.

A sequel to Moon's Black Gold, this novel deals with the struggle of George Landsetter to keep his five hundred acres of woodland from Dave Blackmun, a lawless miner, and criminal kingpin. Helped by Mike Barton and the FBI, George brings down Blackmun while trying to court Heidi Leaves, head of a non profit promoting better mining laws.