Jim is holding a twelve-gauge shotgun on his sworn enemy. What has made him snap? His beautiful wife, Pauline, spends her spare time dancing naked for his wealthy brother-in-law, who has collected the insurance money for the "accidental" death of his own wife-Jim's sister. Not only is the IRS dunning Jim but the town is about to seize the land his trailer is on for nonpayment of property taxes. His eldest son, Gregory, thinks he has a snake in his head. Tommy, his youngest son, is charged with drug possession and assault on a policeman. Lisa, his daughter, may lose custody of her children for supporting her drug habit by prostitution. And there is a panty thief roaming their small New Hampshire town. But Jim is indomitable. He will survive it all, smiling, so long as he has Pauline's love.

Praise for Merle Drown's first novel, Plowing Up a Snake:

"Compelling reading, the kind of fiction you stay up with half the night." -San Francisco Chronicle