St. Louis, 1809. Three years after the triumphal return of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Meriwether Lewis never felt less like a hero. Trapped in a thankless political job, he's drinking too much and spending money like there's no tomorrow. When he's called to a mysterious meeting, Lewis hopes for a new adventure that will turn his life around. Instead, he finds himself drawn into a conspiracy to put him and William Clark at the head of a new American empire.

Lewis has his faults, but he's no traitor...and suddenly Lewis the explorer becomes the hunted. As for Clark, he's willing to risk everything to save his best friend from dishonor and disgrace. In the end, neither man can imagine the price they will pay for their loyalty to each other and to their country.

History and fiction merge seamlessly in this thrilling historical novel based on one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries. Lewis and Clark's last journey is a classic story of honor, vengeance, and redemption.

REVIEW

Winner, Violet Crown Award for Fiction

Silver Medalist, Independent Publisher Book Awards

Finalist, Foreword Magazine's Historical Fiction Book of the Year

"First-time novelist Hunter spins an imaginative tale of what might have happened during the last month of Lewis's life that is authentic in detail and shows both the flaws and the virtues of these legends of American history. ...Highly recommended." - Library Journal

"Full of gritty historical detail and raw imagery that rings true across the years. To The Ends of The Earth is historical fiction at its best, pulling the reader in and re-engaging the mind and imagination in the drama that occurred 200 years ago." -

Reviewed by: Midwest Book Review
www.midwestbookreview.com

EXCERPT

Cahokia, Illinois Territory
July 29, 1809

Meriwether Lewis buried his face deeper into the pillow, his tongue furred with rum and sleep. He felt easy and content. Soon, it would be time to get up, get the pirogues loaded, get on the river. That endless ribbon of shimmering water, under a deep blue sky. He would walk on the bluffs today, with his spyglass and his notebook. Take the dog. Don't forget to borrow the good compass from Clark--

Soft fingers traced a trail down his back. Lewis started awake. Slowly, the room resolved itself into a collection of familiar objects. A curtained window, washbasin, chair. Oh, yes, Pinsoneau's Inn. He always roomed here when he came across the river to do business.

"Gov'ner? Didn't ye say ye needed to be somewhere at eight o'clock?"

Lewis raised up on his elbow and turned to look at the girl lying beside him. Blonde, big gray eyes, a riot of curly hair.

"Yes," he said thickly. "So I did." He glanced at the window and saw that the afternoon had come and gone, and the sky was already darkening into night. "Lord, have I been out all this time?"

The girl giggled and traced small circles on his forearm with her finger. "You were tired."

Memories came back to him of soft white thighs, and heels digging into the back of his legs. For the kind of girl she was, she was really rather good-looking. But God help him, he couldn't remember her name.

Lewis shook off her hand and sat up, trying to hold back an avalanche of shame. He'd sworn to himself he would hold his liquor this time, and stay away from the waterfront tarts. Swinging his legs off the bed, he got up and started hunting for his clothes. Damned if I don't break my own promises, he thought. Mr. Jefferson was right. I'll make a politician yet.