The Desert Crucible

This thrilling sequel to Riders of the Purple Sage, originally published in 1915, has finally been released in its authentic form after nearly 90 years of censorship. It follows young John Shefford, an Illinois tenderfoot, as he journeys to the remote Surprise Valley to uncover the truth about three imprisoned individuals, including a young girl named Fay Larkin, whom he is secretly in love with. Along his adventure, Shefford experiences the stunning beauty of the high desert, encounters diverse characters from Navajos to Mormon community members, and undergoes personal growth that transforms his understanding of love and himself.