The Next Right Thing

Southern California home builderextraordinaire Randy Chalmers has to admit he'd be dead or in prison were itnot for his best friend, lawyer, and Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, Terry Elias.A former police officer, Randy narrowly escaped being an evening news highlightduring years ravaged by anger and alcohol. Thanks to Terry's coaching and anendless stream of caffeine-fueled AA meetings, Randy's been off the booze foreight years, has a successful new career, and is thriving in a healthyrelationship with his vegan yoga-instructor girlfriend. All is well . . . untilTerry, himself supposedly sober for fifteen years, is found dead of a heroinoverdose.

How could Terry, who had dragged so many others from the edge, jump offhimself? Convinced that something (or someone) must have pushed him, Randy issoon off on a dry-drunk quest for answers-and possibly revenge. He discovers atrail of dirty secrets that lead to missing persons, shady real estate deals,hydroponic pot farms, and Internet pornography. When his suspicions ultimatelyconnect Terry's death to the activities of a recently appointed Superior Courtjudge-who just happens to be dating Randy's ex-wife-Randy has to ask himself:Is he really onto something or just suffering from grief and paranoia? Will hisincreasingly frenzied behavior ruin his current relationship and his chances ofregaining custody of his daughter? Will he destroy the life that he has workedso hard to achieve? Will he reach for a drink?

The Next Right Thing is a hilarious and harrowing combination ofthriller and recovery tale, equal parts hard-earned wisdom and old-fashionedsuspense.

Dan Bardenis also the author of John Wayne: A Novel. A native of SouthernCalifornia, he teaches at Butler University and lives in Indianapolis with hiswife, Elizabeth Houghton Barden, owner of Big Hat Books & Arts.