Down River by John Hart

I loved Iron House and The Last Child, so I had to go back in time and try this author's earlier works.  I can tell this is an early novel--not as good as his recent ones, but still worth finishing.

Adam Chase returns home because his best friend mysteriously needs his help.  But Adam isn't welcome.  Five years ago, he was acquitted of murdering a fellow teenager and his own step-mother testified against him.  Now, on his return to rural North Carolina, the locals are stirred up about a new company possibly moving to town, and his family is smack in the middle of the controversy. Should they sell? Do they need to sell their land? And, of course, there is lots of family drama going on in the background.

Adam's gruffness didn't work well in this book, especially in contrast to Michael in Iron House. In fact, they really could be the same character--determined to do what's right, a man of few words, stereotypical cop attitude.  It worked in Iron House, but not so much in this title.