Broken Landscape: The Trials of Ardis Korwitz by Roger Memmott is an unusual, yet strangely satisfying, coming-of-age story that takes us on a dangerous journey of abduction, murder, and love. It is set against the background of a small southern Utah town and the threat of the Vietnam War just waiting to scoop up young, able-bodied men and send them to the other side of the world to fight. Ardis and Cody had lived next door to each other for nine or ten years and were best friends. Ardis, who is slightly crippled, lives with her ailing mother and her younger sister Cyndi in abject poverty, both of whom she feels responsible for. Her father is in prison. Cody and Ardis were married, in their minds, by a gypsy fortune teller at the local fair when they were both just twelve, with Ardis still wearing their 'wedding ring' to this day. But, as they matured into teenagers, they struggled to come to terms with their growing sexuality and latent desire for each other. When Ardis is kidnapped and taken to a remote mountain cabin by a crazy visitor to their town, Cody not only rescues her but kills the kidnapper with his bow and arrow. Their cover-up of the murder sets in motion a train of events that could spell disaster for Ardis and all the people she loves.

Broken Landscape is a beautifully crafted and written novel. Author Roger Memmott is a wordsmith of the highest caliber and his lyrical, descriptive writing will give readers insight into not only the physical setting of the narrative but also the innermost thought processes of the young protagonists in this tale. I particularly enjoyed the idea that Ardis was in some way flawed by her physical deformity in one of her legs, which she seemed to believe made her less desirable. Her beauty, her youthfulness, and her willingness to care for those she loved more than offset the mere physical weakness. I appreciated her earnest desire to rise above the poverty and poor hand that her parentage had dealt her. Her love for her mother and younger sister shone through every page. I loved that despite the difficulties these young lovers were presented with, especially the corrupt deputy sheriff and his brother, they found their strength in each other and were determined to keep their love at the forefront of everything they did. The prose flows seamlessly from one plot arc to the next and this is an exceptionally easy story to become engrossed in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Broken Landscape: The Trials of Ardis Korwitz is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, literary, and emotive writing subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to the presence of sex, strong language, and scenes of violence throughout. Penned by author Roger Ladd Memmott, this is the harrowing tale of a poverty-stricken, disabled girl, Ardis Korwitz, abducted to a mountain cabin, where her childhood friend commits murder to protect her. They cover up the crime, but a ruthless deputy sheriff discovers their secret and attempts to blackmail Ardis. His actions lead to further tragedy, cover-ups, and ultimately, redemption amidst the desolate landscape of southern Utah, haunted by the shadows of the past and the brutality of the present.

Roger Ladd Memmott has a flair for balancing dark and gritty content with confident, ethereal prose to craft a haunting novel, immersing us in the stark beauty and brutality of southern Utah's high desert. The vivid descriptions painted a picture of a land steeped in history and melancholy. I was captivated by the author’s keen eye for atmospheric detail and those little touches that foreshadowed the events looming in the plot to challenge our heroes. Ardis and her companion's struggle for survival is raw and unapologetic, and the narrative style reflects this with sudden, sharp moments of violent action and bitter dialogue to remind us that life is never all sunshine and roses. Yet, the narration always conveys hope, and we feel in safe hands with the author, no matter how dark the work becomes. The exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the consequences of violence is sure to leave readers reeling and exploring these themes for themselves long after the book is over. Overall, I would certainly recommend Broken Landscape to fans of poignant and well-crafted literary dramas everywhere, particularly those that home in on the darker side of survival.