In RETURN TO SLEEPY HOLLOW, you will find out the TRUE IDENTITY of the Headless Horseman. We also find out what REALLY happened to Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones. Best of all we follow Steven on his journey to uncover the secrets and the history behind the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and his ultimate triumph over his fears and the danger that awaits in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery!
Return to Sleepy Hollow opens by taking us back to the Revolutionary War at the scene of a German Mercenary encampment. The evil Colonel Himlen, (a character loosely modeled after the German military leaders from WWII) commands a Regiment of Hessian troops. Under his command is a young German officer by the name of Wilhelm Mueller. Wilhelm, whom we discover is engaged to be married to a girl from his native Germany, named Claudia, is anxiously counting the days until he can return Germany to be with her to her and to start a family. What he doesn't know, however is that she is pregnant with his child. Unfortunately, during a fierce battle with a company of 'rebels' that attack from the north, Wilhelm and his horse are caught in the crossfire and Wilhelm is decapitated by an errant cannon ball.
The story then turns attention to Ichabod Crane's ill-fated late ride through the slumbering village of Sleepy Hollow many years later. We discover that his assailant was in fact none other than his nemesis, Brom Bones masquerading as the legendary decapitated equestrian. Brom leaves Ichabod for dead, lying face-down in a stream after having hurled the infamous pumpkin at the lanky schoolmaster. Later Ichabod gets his revenge.
This brings us to modern day Sleepy Hollow. The central character of the book, Steven is a young schoolboy fascinated with local history and is especially enamored with the 'Legend'. He embarks on a journey to discover the true identity of the Headless Horseman and uncovers a few dark secrets along the way.
Throughout the story Steven's father, who is involved in local Village politics, finds himself pitted against the village's corrupt Mayor. The Mayor has been accepting bribes from local unions and large corporations will not let anything or anyone get in his way in his quest to become the Governor of NY.
Steven and his friends return to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery several times to search for clues as to the true identity of the Headless Horseman. In the process they encounter the mysterious caretaker of the cemetery, who seems to know more than he is telling. They also uncover a satanic cult that has been responsible for the disappearance and mutilation of several pets in the area as well as the desecration of several graves in the cemetery. The tension builds in several scenes and culminates with a final confrontation when Steven and his friends finally come face-to-face with the teenage cult members while on a 'Haunted Hayride' through the cemetery.
Entire Page © 1997 Rick Hyland.