A Presbyterian priest is murdered in a small town by a mob of pro-slavery activists two decades before the Civil War. Before his final breath, a bloody frock ties him to the future and assures the ascension of another man to the presidency of the United States.
Nearly two centuries later, Alton West finds himself returning from Afghanistan as a war hero. His return is short, as he is quickly led to Odessa after tragedy strikes. Together, they must fight against an international tyrant and determine if the past is worth revisiting.
Illinois, 1837: a Presbyterian priest is murdered in a small town by a mob of pro-slavery activists two-decades before the Civil War. As he lies on the warehouse floor dying, a bloody frock ties him to the future and assures the ascension of another man to the presidency of the United States.
Returning from Afghanistan nearly two centuries later, war hero Alton West seeks normalcy. His solitude ends when tragedy leads him to Odessa, a powerful woman on a quest for redemption. A fight against an international tyrant profiting from abducted children ensues as Alton and Odessa chase clues to the criminal while others try to stop them by death.
Allegiances are challenged as the past reclaims its significance after a desperate stand. Alton and Odessa must determine if the past is worth revisiting.
**2025 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS WINNER: Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diversity
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite:
…Once this heart-pounding page-turner draws you in, it is relentless, only loosening its grip after the final word. Weaving an intriguing plot, BK Pruitt effortlessly unfolds the storyline on a multi-perspective timeline, introducing readers to an exciting, dynamic cast. As the plot slowly picked up pace, the edge-of-the-seat suspense and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me. The evocative cinematic depictions brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like watching a Hollywood crime thriller. I got carried away in a whirlwind of grime, crime, money, sex trafficking, power, survival, love, reunions, murder, hand-to-hand combat, crime bosses, hitmen, and more. The conversations were sharp and lively and kept shifting from upbeat to urgent and tense. These gave depth to the cast's conflicts, intricate emotions, and complex traits. BK Pruitt's "Girl Bait" is the perfect pick for lovers of gripping, action-packed crime thrillers with a blend of adventure and mystery.
