Fans of Jess Walter will love Shelah A Johnson!
If you want to embark on a dramatic journey filled with flawed yet fascinating characters and cinematic details, this true-to-life book is an all-night page-turner.
Based on actual events, The Boloney Trail Trilogy chronicles three generations of the Hornbeck family, capturing their tumultuous journey from the trials of the Great Depression to their pivotal involvement in the genesis of the feared Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel in the early 1960s. In this sweeping saga, a formidable cast of characters relentlessly pursue the middle-class dream with an obsessive burning desire to find a gateway into financial stability. However, their aspirations are met with harsh realities as the promise of the middle class slowly disintegrates before their eyes. The trilogy delves deep into the complexities of socio-economic challenges, moral dilemmas, and the profound impact of historical events on individual lives, painting a vivid picture of resilience, ambition, and the dark underbelly of societal change that is now more relatable than ever.

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, where Monroe finds himself trapped in the quicksand of his upbringing. Fueled by an insatiable desire for a brighter future, he seeks solace in a risky business opportunity that propels the family into the heart of Mexico, entwining them with the burgeoning Sinaloa Cartel.

Dora, a woman with God strapped to her wrist, grapples with the unthinkable – the societal taboo of divorce in 1963. Determined to achieve her middle-class dream, she tightens the reins on Monroe, imposing greater financial and social demands. However, it's not until the family's journey takes a treacherous turn toward the criminal underworld that the stakes skyrocket.

As Monroe and Dora's tumultuous relationship ebbs and flows their eldest daughter, Shelda, emerges as an unlikely guardian. A precocious and intuitive 9-year-old, she begins constructing guardrails just in time to shield the family from the impending storm of their new lifestyle and ill-fated decisions.

Buckle up for a Southern-style adventure where love and hate collide, and the Boloney Trail family's fate hangs in the balance.

Will Monroe's pursuit of a better life lead to redemption or peril? Can a young girl's intuition become their salvation?

Find out in "Imaginary Gravity: Livin’ Like a Hurricane,” a gripping true tale of family, resilience, and the uncharted territories of the human spirit.

Editorial Review

Johnson’s writing is unflinching, painting vivid images and conversations so real, I could almost
hear them. Each character, each scene, brought to life with clarity and depth. The way she
captured the dialects, all the little details, undercurrents and emotions of the Hornbeck family
made me feel like I was right there with them. It’s rare to find a story that wraps around you so
completely.

As with “Perpetual Gloom,” “Imaginary Gravity” resonates with contemporary issues. The
themes of immigration, societal prejudice, and the blurred lines of legality and ethics are as
relevant today as they are in the historical context of the book. Johnson holds up a mirror to
society, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about our past and present. The level of
research and understanding that Johnson pours into her work makes the world of the Hornbeck
family come alive with authenticity and relevance, offering a rich, immersive experience that is
as educational as it is engaging.

“Imaginary Gravity” didn’t just meet my expectations; it blasted beyond them. Shelah Johnson
has solidified her place as a storyteller of exceptional talent. I’m almost envious of readers just
starting out on the Boloney Trail – it’s one of those stories you wish you could read all over
again for the very first time. – Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views