2020 New York City Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite

A troubled war veteran battling PTSD returns home to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. But is he ready?

Experience the life-changing events through the eyes of the main character as he comes to grips with himself, his family, and the community around him.

The night of the ambush changes everything for US Marine Todd Goodson. One moment, he is discussing tactics with his battle-weary squad in Afghanistan and the next he is waking up alone in a military hospital desperate for news of his friends.

Now returning home to pursue his dreams in law enforcement, Todd struggles with a deep sense of guilt over his role in the attack and worries that his prejudiced comments are ultimately what led his team astray. On top of his guilt, he’s battling relentless PTSD nightmares and rising tensions with his girlfriend. To escape his troubles, Todd travels from New York to Tennessee and visits an injured war buddy, eventually taking a temporary job managing a troubled low-income housing community in Nashville.

As Todd faces the challenges of his new job and makes some unexpected friends, he must also confront his deep-seated racism and homophobia. Overwhelmed with moral questions and his future career as a police officer, he starts to spiral out of control.

Is Todd ready to serve and protect the public equally without prejudice?

Crooked Fences is a fiercely honest story of change about a returning war veteran’s battle to overcome the debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, before entering the New York State Police Academy. First, he must confront the hatred of racism and homophobia instilled in him by his father while working at a low-income housing project.

“My books are about the reality of life and death, joy and pain, victory and defeat. Through it all, I aspire to reveal the power of love.” – C.J. Heigelmann, 2020