From its opening revelation at an innocent card party, Truck Tryst is a riveting look at an afternoon that changed the evening plans, and perhaps their plans for many evenings to come, for a couple of sixty eight year old Midwesterners. Bored with the routine of their lives, Tilly and Elmer embark on a dangerous expedition, the unlikely vehicle for which is a 1952 Chevy pick up truck which remains parked in the driveway throughout the trip. Even though the journey covers no distance at all, along the way we learn about concession, limberness lost, misfortune, and the power of love to make everything feel good in the end.

From commonplace circumstances, Clements has woven together a story that covers the grand themes of American literature; secrets revealed, conflict and compromise, the great journey, and tragedy leading to new discoveries. The author has an uncanny ability to penetrate into the darkest recesses of human desire and not find anything of interest.