Dark Woods is the fifth novel in the There Is a River saga. Abe Badoane, the dastardly evil villain of the earlier novels, turns out--unexpectedly--to be none other than Jude's tormented father. In contrast to their world of harmony and peace, evidenced in the larger community and their joyful reconciliation, other characters fare less well than the conciliated father-son. Todd Cravener, intelligent and conniving, pits himself against Cory's super athletic brother Joey, creating a deadly rivalry. In this novel, the subplots of the low-lifers and the life-embracing conquerors crisscross and eventually collide in a series of surprising and breathtaking episodes. In the words of one reader, "The protagonists inhabit an island of light in the antagonists' raging sea of turbulent darkness." Will courage, goodwill, and love enable the triumph-seekers to withstand the relentless machinations of the plotting malcontents? "No wonder Dark Woods kept me on the edge of my seat!"