As coal strike violence escalates, Matt Ansaro's undercover identity is thrown into jeopardy.
Having survived a coal mine cave-in, undercover Pinkerton detective Matt Ansaro is recovering from a broken leg. However, the union has called a coal strike, and Matt needs to walk a thin line to remain undercover and not let his employers know Matt is working in his hometown of Eckart Mines, Maryland. The 1922 national coal strike is even more violent in the Western Maryland coal fields as the non-union miners make an all-out effort to unionize. As strikebreakers are brought in to replace striking miners, tension turns into violence between Pinkerton agents and union miners. Matt is caught between both sides as he pretends to be a miner among his family and friends while funneling information to his employers.
To make matter worse another Pinkerton agent knows who Matt is. David Lakehurst has a grudge against Matt and is determined to settle a score with him. Joseph McCord, the mine superintendent in Eckhart Mines, is more than happy to let Lakehurst attack miners as long as it keeps his mine operating. He is also seducing Matt's former girlfriend, Laura Spencer.
While this worries Matt, he has more than enough problems from the other women in his life. His girlfriend Samantha Havencroft has caught the eye of a young college professor, and he may have caught Samantha's attention as well. Matt's aunt, Toni Starner, knows Matt's secret and is uncertain how to handle it. Jenny Washington, Matt's friend, is trying to make a new life for herself but can't get past what Lakehurst did to her.
From the author of the Canawlers series comes a new American historical novel. The Black Fire Trilogy is set during the Roaring 20s and full of action, intrigue, drama, and romance in the 1922 Western Maryland coal fields.