Will has got a secret.
He keeps that secret hidden in the field out back behind his house.
Sam and Artie will do just whatever Will tells them to do because they know what Will's secret is and they'll do anything to make sure that Will doesn't lose his temper on them.
Because you can never tell about Will...
"A FINE SACRIFICE is a chillingly understated story of a baseball-obsessed man's type of creep, his misogynistic outlook and the soul-warping effects he's had on the unfortunate people in his orbit." - Jim Lee, Scavenger's Newsletter (1999)
"Steve Vernon was born to write. He's the real deal and we're lucky to have him." - Richard Chizmar, Cemetery Dance Magazine
Sam could see the two older men, Will and Artie, standing together on Will’s front porch like a pair of well trained watch dogs. Their two boys played catch with a battered baseball out in Will’s field.
It’s a good field, thought Sam. Will ought to plant something in it.
Sam knew Will’s reasons for letting it run to fallow. Still, it was a good field; deep and fertile and far from the public eye. Will’s grandfather had won it in a poker game and had closed the deal in the knife fight that ensued afterwards. The original owner, drunk on too much stump liquor, had pulled a hunting knife from his belt and demanded his deed back. Will’s grandfather, or so the story is told, broke the man’s arm and took the knife from him and promptly gave it back, blade first.
Will had told Sam the tale one night while roaring drunk. The evening stood out in Sam’s memory not only for the story, but for the fact that Will was drunk enough to tell it, for though Will often drank like a fish he rarely allowed himself to get good and tanked. Will didn’t care much for losing control.
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French
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Already translated.
Translated by Pedro Pablo Perez Aguero
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Author review: A fine translation of A FINE SACRIFICE. |
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German
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Already translated.
Translated by Christian Horsch
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Author review: An impeccable translation, Christian Horsch is a true artist. |
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Stefano Vazzola
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Author review: This artist possesses an uncommon balance of patience, pain-staking craftsmanship, and professional discipline. A great translator - I recommend his work highly. |
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Ariadne IX
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Author review: She came through with a translation even though the story kind of creeped her out. Like any great athlete knows - sometimes you have to play through the pain. Ariadne IX always comes through - even when the story is scary as all get-out. Ariadne IX was great to work with, right off the bat. Thanks for the solid translation. |
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Carlos Escalante
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Author review: You can't beat working with Carlos Escalante, not even with a baseball bat! |
