The River Burns

Wakefield, Quebec, is a seemingly bucolic small town, a community caught in a snow globe of changeless tranquility, but its harmonious facade is fractured when the interests of two factions collide at the local covered bridge. Single-lane and old, the bridge is insufficient for the needs of the local loggers; historic and beautiful, the local tourist industry relies on it. One night, the bridge is burned by an arsonist, and the prime suspect is outspoken logger Dennis O'Farrell. The officer investigating the case, Dennis's long-suffering brother Ryan, is left caught between his duty as a cop and his duty as a sibling, with an entire town waiting to see how he untangles the Gordian knot of conflicting responsibilities. Inspired by actual events in Wakefield, Quebec, the work builds quietly towards its resolution, carefully ensuring that Ryan has no solutions open to him that will not leave him compromised. Although the tone is reminiscent of humorist Stephen Leacock's work at times, the consequences for the characters of the dramatic act of sabotage are potentially life-shattering. Ferguson brings the tale towards resolution and final redemption with deliberation and skill. Agent: Carolyn Forde/Bruce Westwood, Westwood Creative Artists. (Feb.)