The Apprehensive Prophet

Aleta and Stanley entered another adventure when the 80-year-old Bessie Dobbins plunked a dollar on Stanley Praetzel's desk and announced that she was hiring them to fight the City of Oakwood's attempt to take over her farm under the umbrella of Eminent Domain. Bessie was hardly deterred by the fact that they lacked experience in such matters. Her parting comment, "You'll figure it out." What ensued were a series of violent attacks reminiscent of a holy war more so than a court case for land rights. Aleta retaliated with the only weapon she possessed, tenacity, leading the charge to uncover the truth behind the land grab and the attacks. But, had the Praetzels' good fortune come to an end? Were they ready for the dire consequences of their choices? Aleta's grandmother foretold disaster and death. Her prophecy would not be wrong. The second installment of The Prophet series, which began with The Reluctant Prophet, offers a new and darker episode in the lives of Aleta and Stanley Praetzel in a small cluster of cities north of Chicago. With hardly a moment's rest, the cast of characters are thrown into another life-or-death struggle against a number of opponents linked by their interest in Bessie's farm. God, dogs, fate and sheer pragmatism offer a unique mix as this drama unfolds.