Pale Surface of Things

On the island of Crete to study Minoan archaeology and to marry, Douglas flees his wedding day to begin a modern odyssey that will change his life. He and a Cretan boy are robbed and he is shot. The second time they are robbed, he stabs the robber, who dies. The village traditions, Greek law, and the Orthodox church teach Douglas lessons of shame, terror, gratitude, forgiveness, and, ultimately, accountability.

A fast moving novel in a Cretan village - kidnappings and killings, prayers and healing, ethics and ritual...and a darn good tale.