Kansas Dreamer: Fury in Sumner County

By K. Follis Cheatham

ISBN 0-9714287-2-7

Kaios Books

Helena, Montana

2002, paper, 259 pages, $16.95

Ellen Hargrove had dreams -- dreams that frightened her and set her apart from her family and her neighbors.  She dreamed of death.  Ellen's dreams made her seem strange to everyone, even her closest family.  When her husband Johnny was killed, she had fore seen his death by drowning, but her dreams never told her why he would even be near that river.  When word came that Johnny was dead his mother and father wanted Ellen out of the way -- gone from the house.  She could never understand why they were so adamant that she should leave and leave quickly.

            Ellen finds the body of Cattleman Frances Stone and her dreams tell her that James Montgomery is the murderer.  She was afraid to tell.  When more men are murdered, Ellen knows she must try to prove her dreams are true.

            K. Follis Cheatham is an accomplished poet and writes both fiction and non-fiction using as most authors do, her family, friends, neighbors and their ancestors as grist for her mill.  She is the author of Spotted Flower and the Pokonomita, The Crocodile, The Advent of Elizabeth Fortune, and several other books. She is an active member and volunteer in Western Writers of America. 

            Kansas Dreamer: Fury in Sumner County is firmly rooted in the history of the area and is a truly fine read.  The main character, Ellen Hargrove, captures the readers' imagination immediately.  The well drawn supporting characters, the clear description of the setting and plenty of fast-paced action hold the readers' interest throughout the book.

A.H.Holt, editor

WesternFictionReview

June 2004