Audio Book Description:
Set in the Kaw River Valley, where Sara Paretsky grew up, BLEEDING KANSAS is the story ofthe Schapens and the Grelliers, two farm families whosehistories have entwined since the 1850`s, when their ancestors settled the valley as antislavery immigrants. Today, the Schapen family, stillterrified by the lawlessness ofthe 1970`s-when Lawrence was the most violent collegetown in the nation-have turned to that old-time religion forsecurity. The Schapens keep a close eye on all their neighbors, most especially the Grelliers. When Gina Haring,a Wiccan, moves into a nearbyempty farmhouse and starts practicing pagan rites, the Schapens are so outraged that they begin an active harassment campaign against the Wiccans.The family members worry, too, about who stands better with the Lord, they or the Grelliers. When a Schapen cow gives birth to what may be a"Perfect Red Heifer"-needed if the Temple is ever rebuilt in Jerusalem-the Schapens are convinced that God is indeed smiling on them.Despite parental cautions, the Grelliers` teenage children are enraged by the Schapens. One particularly angry confrontation causes Chip Grellier to beexpelled from school and consequently to join the Army. Chip`s death in Iraq is the catalyzing event for mementous, even monstrous, changes inthe lives of not only the Schapens and the Grelliers but all the families in the Valley.
