Seed to dust

by Marc Hamer

     I was flailing around in my vegetable patch one afternoon when an eager, novice plantsman, hailed me over the Marion berry fence. “Thought you’d be interested in this book,” he said, waving it at me. Naturally I was intrigued. It is a book about Gardening, sort of.

     Marc Hamer is a unique writer, peppering his writings with insights into insect’s lives, birds, types of trees, plants, and ways of working with nature.

     (But…a slight diversion here). Somehow the book resonated with my teenage quest in the past, i.e., what is Existentialism? It was more intriguing than all religions (ancient, popular and not so), and other philosophies (same). Of course, as only an avid teenager (nerd type) would do, I read all the materials that I could get my hands on. And whoa, this amazing writer evoked memories of that youthful quest.

     Hamer, without using the abstruse wanderings of a Camus, or the pedantic musings of a Sartre, explores feelings involving existentialism with clarity. He never mentions the actual subject, and I felt his philosophical musings were unintentional, i.e., just the way he looks at life.

     With gentle, loving reminiscing he weaves in stories of nature, plants and humans. All produced from observations, while working Januarys through Decembers in a country garden.

     As I followed his narrative, I came across, landmarks that point to love, destiny and the intrinsic meanings of life. Hamer fascinated this reader, giving meaningful glimpses of moments in his life. When a young man, he wrestled with thoughts of suicide, miseries of a fractured family, and homelessness.

     Throughout this marvelous book I felt I was listening to a wise and trusted friend.                                

Review by L.C.M. 

the murderer in ruins

by Cay Rademacher

Skillfully Written.

The Murderer in Ruins by Cay Rademacher.

Reviewed by L. C. Mcgee, author of The Amber Crow Series, TwoNewfs Publishing.

I ran across the author’s first book, The Murderous Mistrial and found it intriguing. The protagonist, Roger Blanc, formerly of the Paris gendarmerie, is now working in Provence. Monsieur Blanc is an ‘expert detective’ in a delightful place and meeting a variety of interesting people. I was hooked. I’d found another excellent and innovative mystery writer, whose stories are involved and complex.

Back to The Murderer in Ruins. The place, Hamburg Germany 1947, and the Brits are occupying the city. Chief Inspector, Frank Stave has a series of murders to solve. Through the eyes of the persistent Inspector, the reader views a monstrous cold winter, and the starkness and misery after the bombings.

The interplay between the German survivors and the occupying Britons is revealing; many unique situations and individuals are engendered from these involvements. This book is a must read if you enjoy a grim, but realistic journey into the past. Mr. Rademacher’s Hamburg stories are gripping as they are based on real situations that occurred after WWII.

All Rademacher’s books are skillfully written. In the Inspector Stave series, he provides the reader with a fully different feel and tone than his Provence novels.

Too, I appreciated the amount of research, documentation, and explanation of events at the end of the novel.

P.S. The second book in the series, The Wolf Children, is also a fantastic read, and based on facts.                        

Review by L.C.M. 

A Rising Man 

by Abir Mukherjee

Calcutta, India 1^st of April 1919 is where this remarkable novel begins. Captain Sam Wyndham a survivor (barely) of the hell in the second Battle of the Marne finds himself at the doors of the Imperial Police Force (Bengal Division).  

As a former policeman and CID operative, he is in Calcutta at the behest of Commissioner Taggart, his former superior (military intelligence during the war), who has a “need of good detectives”. 

Soon, Captain Wyndham and the brilliant Sergeant Banerjee become involved in a story of intrigue and death. The continual repression during the Raj, and racial intolerance, resulting in threats of revolution, are woven throughout the fabric of the tale.

This complex and well written novel moved me to further explore the British colonial presence in India. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.  

Review by L.C.M. 

Georgette Heyer Novels

An Introduction

The recent Netflix’s series, Bridgerton, set in Regency England, sent me on a mad dash to find my Georgette Heyer novels. Though she may not be a familiar name, Georgette Heyer essentially established the historical romance genre and subgenre of Regency romances. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written for her younger brother, who suffered from a form of hemophilia.

I discovered Georgette Heyer as a teenager and though the author also wrote some contemporary detective fiction from the mid-1930’s onward, she is remembered for her successful Regency romances. Some favorites of mine: The Talisman Ring, Fredricka, The Nonsuch, These Old Shades and The Devil’s Cub. Inspired by Jane Austen’s “comedy of manners” novels, Georgette Heyer did meticulous research on the Regency period.

Using vocabulary and phraseology of the time, these novels are fun first-rate Regency romance literature – or as a character in Heyer’s novel might say, “Of the first stare.” I love the language! What rich imagery it conjures calling someone a “a clodpole” or “a dirty dish.”

In the future, I will review a few of the above titles. Until then, why not try them yourselves?

Review by Gwendolyn Van Hout Knechtel

Oranges and lemons

by Christopher Fowler

   Detectives, Bryant and May are at it again in another complex, and amazing mystery. Fowler’s tales can be a bit bloody but they’re also witty and fun. Fortunately, his imagination and knowledge of London, past and present, knows no bounds.  I’ve been hooked since the beginning of the series. Because the author can tweak the mind with historical and juicy tidbits, that one could easily miss, and since the plots are delightfully quirky, I am looking forward to a reread of all their adventures.  

     This novel becomes complex and more mystifying when a killer explains how and why they’ve become proficient at murder. Interspersed with the continuing killer’s reflections, excerpts from Bryant’s “Peculiar London’ and the walking tour guide”, and amusing vignettes involving Peter Land, director ‘extraordinaire’, the tale commences with Part One, The Bells of St. Clement’s. Then there is more ringing of the bells, bells, bells.  

     We are further intrigued by a crushing moment when Michael Claremont “the nations upholder of procedural civility in Parliament” has a van’s load of oranges and lemons spill on him. Fortunately, he is not killed. However, later victims are not so lucky. 

     The Peculiar Crimes Unit, (PCU), eventually flex their collective muscle; even though being de-mobbed and their building is literally being torn apart. In spite of the chaos, the members of the PCU prove again they’re an unforgettable team. You’re in for fun, humor and a great read. The only caveat being, that as in life, nothing is quite what it seems.                                        

Review by L.C.M. 

The amber crow and the hooting woman

The Amber Crow Mystery Series #3

By L. C. Mcgee

Our newest project is the third mystery novel in The Amber Crow series by Seattle Author L. C. Mcgee.

Return to Bradestone Island for the latest trouble for Alex Beahzhi and Kay Roberts with the help of Edgar, Willie’s amber crow.

i want to buy new halem tales

13 Stories From 5 NW Authors