One of the more violent coal strikes in Western Maryland occurred in 1922 as the union made an all-out attempt to unionize the coal mines in the area. Because the union didn’t want to give up Maryland, the strike lasted months longer here than in other areas of the country.
Strike the Fuse, a new novel by James Rada, Jr., captures this tumultuous period in the county’s history.
Strike the Fuse is the second book in the Black Fire Trilogy. The first book, Smoldering Betrayal, was released in 2018. The story follows Matt Ansaro, a WWI veteran who is a now a Pinkerton detective. He returns to his hometown of Eckhart in 1922 after being away for five years. His family doesn’t know his current profession or that he has been sent to Eckhart to spy out union activity for the Consolidation Coal Company. Matt also has his own mission, which is to protect his family from blacklisted by the company.
“The family dynamics make the story more than a typical spy story,” Rada said. “It also creates danger for Matt from both the miners and the mining companies.”
Strike the Fuse picks up where Smoldering Betrayal left off. The coal strike has started, and Matt is allowing the leg broken in the mine cave in to heal. However, the tensions are growing between the striking miners and coal companies as strikebreakers are brought in. The companies also hire enforcers to protect the strikebreakers.
Among them is David Lakehurst. He is a violent man who has a score to settle with Matt. David is also a Pinkerton, and he discovers Matt’s secret.
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, into his bed.
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 another man, and he may have caught hers 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.
It’s a story of action, intrigue, and romance that weaves itself among the history of Western Maryland.
James Rada, Jr. is an award-winning writer who Midwest Book Review called “a writer of considerable and deftly expressed storytelling talent.” Leatherneck Magazine called The Last to Fall “a superb book.” Rada has two dozen writing awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, Maryland State Teachers Association, and Utah Ad Federation.
Rada is the author of 22 books, mostly history and historical fiction. His articles have been published in more the 125 publications, such as History Channel Magazine, USAToday.com, and the Boy’s Life.