Some wounds are inherited. Others are carefully preserved.
Oregon winemaker Colin Byrne has spent decades outrunning the violent childhood that left him scarred, half-blind, and haunted by nightmares. He believed the cruelty of his father died with him.
Then Colin discovers a collection of family journals.
Written by his grandfather while assisting legendary photographer Edward Curtis, the journals reveal a century-old betrayal Colin believes poisoned generations of the Byrne family. The discovery transforms his lifelong pain into obsession and gives him a target for revenge.
To expose the truth, Colin recruits Val James, his estranged childhood friend. Once a celebrated athlete and sportscaster, Val is now drowning in gambling debt, living out of his car, and clinging to the companionship of his dog. Colin's plan offers him money and redemption, but it requires stealing priceless Curtis volumes from Portland's Central Library.
As two damaged men move closer to committing a devastating crime, buried history begins exerting its own dark gravity.
Family Curse is psychological suspense about inherited trauma, addiction, loyalty, and the secrets fathers pass to their sons. Because the past never stays buried. It waits.