Like the game of baseball, life is quirky and unpredictable, as Shane Hunter discovers in the spring of his sophomore year. Suddenly and without warning his life of privilege is turned upside down. And just as suddenly, life begins to sem utterly without fairness of purpose to him.

The game of baseball becomes a means of vengeance. A game meant to be played in the bright sunshine takes Shane instead into his own personal darkness--a darkness both strangely comforting and ultimately terrifying.

AMAZON.COM READER RATING: 4.5 STARS

EXCERPT FROM HIGH HEAT

For a second his eyes met mine and locked. Blue friendly eyes, confident eyes. . . . I reared back and fired the ball harder than any ball I've ever thrown in my life. Only I didn't throw it outside. I threw it inside. Up and in.
High heat.

REVIEWS OF HIGH HEAT

"HIGH HEAT joins the Deuker canon with yet another fine study of a conflicted soul whose ethical salvation is determined in a sporting arena, and once more readers are left to ponder whether a tainted success loses its sweet savor."--The Bulletin, June 2003, Advance Review

"Deuker fills the pages with dozens of exciting
play -by-play sequences; these serve not only to move the story along, but also act as the metronome for Shane's personal story of loss, recovery and renewal. It is a dark story in the first half. but the arc of redemption reminds readers that love conquers all--as does the pursuit of personal excellence."--Publishers Weekly, May 19, 2003