New York: Coward-McCann, (1970.) dj. Hardcover first edition - Tennessee-born author's first novel, arising in part out of his experience teaching in a Los Angeles high school. Winner of the Thomas R. Coward Memorial Award in Fiction. From the dj: "Far more than a suspenseful story of murder and its solution, [this novel] is a probing examination of life in an American ghetto and of people, both good and bad, black and white, who would like to see changes made - either through violence ot peaceful means." 256 pp. Striking red and green dustjacket by Charles Milolaycak.