Fort Hope is a full-length novel
written by Evan P. Berold. It was written in 2013.
After losing his job as a reporter, a young man by the name of Greg moves across the country to the town of Fort Hope, New Jersey. He does so in an attempt to connect with an uncle and cousin he's only recently learned he has.
Greg soon finds himself associated with the wealthiest family in town, but an awkward meeting with its patriarch puts Greg's future in Fort Hope - and possibly his life - in danger.
Fort Hope contains examples of:
- Accidental Murder: Greg didn't really plan to kill TJ, but it happens. Thanks to Alexander, no charges are filed against Greg.
- The Alcoholic: Most of the main characters drink a lot. Greg really likes his scotch.
- Child by Rape: Emma is most likely one of these. Towards the end of the book, she ends up (briefly) meeting TJ, her biological father.
- Bittersweet Ending: Things are looking up at the end of the novel, but they're far from ideal. [Spoiler: Greg and Emma's relationship isn't really off to the greatest start, Jess and Colin have broken up, and there's always the chance that everyone could be targeted by TJ's associates]].
- Daddy's Girl: Rachael is definitely one of these. She and her father, Alexander, seem to be very close in the couple of scenes they share.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Both Greg and Emma have one. Both lost their parents at a young age, and Greg seems to have been a loner with no close ties to anyone. Arguably, Alexander has one, what with the dead brother and all. Of course the brother isn't really dead.
- Everyone Is Related: Greg is related to half of the characters, and Emma is related to the other half.
- Faking the Dead: Greg figures out that the man who has tormented him most of his adult life is actually Alexander's brother, who faked his death over a quarter century before the events of the novel.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Alexander and Rachael are jerks to many characters throughout the course of the novel, but it becomes clear just how much both care about their friends and family. In Alexander's case, at least in regard to his actions towards Greg, the jerkiness is somewhat justifiable.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: The entire Langley family seems to think they're above the law due to their largesse. More than once in the book, a member of the family throws their weight around when dealing with police officers.
