Seeds of Suspicion

A shattered window. A fractured community. One man caught in the middle.

When a rock bearing a menacing message crashes through the window of a public meeting, County Extension Agent Scott Olson finds himself at the epicenter of growing unrest in Ames County. Tensions simmer beneath the surface of this close-knit rural community, and Scott is determined to bring people together before divisions spiral out of control.

With help from a devoted team of coworkers, Scott works to restore calm and unity—but his mission comes at a personal cost. As threats mount and the stakes rise, he struggles to prove to his longtime love and colleague that she hasn’t been forgotten in the chaos.

In this timely and heartfelt novel, loyalty, love, and community collide—forcing Scott to confront not only the conflicts around him, but also the choices that could define his future.

Step into Ames County—a richly imagined corner of rural America brought to life by renowned Jerry Apps.

Beginning with The Travels of Increase Joseph, the series traces the founding of the village of Link Lake in 1852 by a traveling preacher and his devoted followers. From this powerful origin story, each novel explores the ever-evolving challenges of rural life—land use conflicts, industrial agriculture, food safety, the fading small family farm, and more.

Through vivid storytelling and authentic characters, Apps offers a heartfelt, insightful portrait of rural communities—their struggles, their triumphs, and their enduring spirit. Rooted in history but deeply relevant to today, the Ames County novels are a compelling journey into the heart of rural life