Franklin Expedition Reimagined Through Fiction

Far too many years have passed since I last read a Dan Simmons novel (Hyperion, Song of Kali, back in the ‘90s). Just finished Simmons’ The Terror (2007), a fictionalized account of the 1845 Franklin Expedition. Simmons constructs a compelling and heart-wrenching narrative of the tragic attempt to locate the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic, based on true events and actual crew members aboard the two ships (HMS Terror and HMS Erebus). Simmons’ vivid descriptions of the hostile winter conditions, coupled with realistic portrayals of the main players, including Captain Sir John Franklin himself and Franklin's second-in-command, Francis Crozier, make for an absorbing work of historical fiction. The novel precedes more or less chronologically using frequent flashbacks and dream sequences. The Terror is further enriched with elements of horror and the supernatural, which create an underlying sense of foreboding as the crews’ circumstances become more desperate and hopeless with each passing day. In addition to being a captivating read, this novel is a study of human nature and the extremes to which men will go when faced with unrelenting threats to their survival. All in all, this is a brilliant novel that left me in awe of Simmons’ talent as a wildly imaginative writer and a gifted storyteller.

Secrets of Stone Is A Remarkable Work of Fantasy Fiction

 

Secrets of Stone is a debut fantasy adventure novel by a talented young writer named Coltrane Seesequasis. Coltrane, a writer of Indigenous heritage who grew up in Gatineau, Quebec, has created a future world in which humans have become extinct and which is ruled by sentient wolves. From start to finish, I was swept up in the coming-of-age adventures of the young wolf, Silversong, who embarks on a perilous journey across a hostile landscape, in an attempt to vanquish his enemies and win the respect of his tribe. The novel is populated by wolves imbued with human characteristics, and includes surprising plot twists, fantastical imagery and remarkable insights into human thought and behaviour. I can’t recommend Secrets of Stone highly enough, and I’m looking forward to the next novel in this planned four-book series. I recently had the pleasure of attending Coltrane’s first-ever book signing, at Indigo Rideau Centre in Ottawa. To learn more about the author and to order Secrets of Stone, visit coltranebooks.com. Congratulations, Coltrane!

Hiaasen's Tourist Season Is Satire at its Best

Carl Hiaasen’s Tourist Season is a flat-out hoot of a novel that delivers all you’d expect from one of America’s wittiest novelists. The story involves a zany but engaging plot, a crew of outrageous characters, biting satire, hilarious dialogue and a sprinkling of social commentary. Published in 1986, in the pre-internet, pre-smartphone era, Tourist Season begins with several bizarre and seemingly unrelated deaths in Miami, Florida. A former reporter turned private eye, Brian Keyes, suspects that these deaths are more than random. His investigation leads him to the Miami Sun, and eventually to a group of reactionaries hell bent on fomenting enough fear and panic to drive tourists (and future economic development) out of the Sunshine State. This ragtag group is led by a popular (and deranged) Sun columnist and includes a former pro football player, an ex-Cuban militant and an indigenous entrepreneur with a score to settle. From the opening scene when a visiting Shriner goes missing to the final pages where a coral isle is about to be blown to smithereens, Tourist Season is a fun, lively romp that will keep readers entertained and laughing all the way.

I, The Jury - Sheer Escapist Fun

"I hate too hard and shoot too fast.” Mickey Spillane, I, The Jury

First published in 1947, I, The Jury by Mickey Spillane introduced a private detective named Mike Hammer. Hammer, who appeared in twenty-two novels and short stories, and in numerous films and TV series, embodies the classic elements of a noir private eye: he’s equal parts charming, cynical, tough guy, hard drinking, and intolerant of anyone who gets in his way. He’s like a one-man wrecking ball, pursuing leads and hunches with pit bull determination in an effort to ferret out the truth. In I, The Jury, a close friend and war buddy of Hammer’s, Jack Williams, is murdered, and suffers a particularly cruel and painful end. Hammer vows to avenge his friend’s death by meting out his own form of justice. As the story unfolds, and suspects are mysteriously killed, Hammer finds himself falling in love with a beautiful psychiatrist named Charlotte who might hold clues about Williams’s murder. There is a whiff of cheesiness about this novel, but it’s quality cheese nonetheless. Spillane’s writing is sparse, gritty, fast-paced and devoid of sentimentality or pretensions of reality, but in terms of sheer fun and escapism, I, The Jury delivers a one-two punch of reading pleasure. 

Interview with Kristin Macdonald

 On May 2nd, 2024, I had the honour and pleasure of being interviewed by Kristin Macdonald for her radio / podcast called Second Vision. Kristin is partially sighted as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, and she interviews people who have found amazing ways to overcome personal injuries and conditions, as well as leaders in medicine and scientific research, actors and inspirational speakers. Kristin and I talked about my debut novel, A Case Against the Clock, whose protagonist is a retired criminal profiler who is battling ALS; about personal loss and about dealing with grief. Kristin is an incredibly gifted interviewer who made the experience fun, engaging and enjoyable. 

Click here to listen to interview. 

TV Appearance on Daytime Ottawa (Rogers)

A heartfelt thank you to Daytime Ottawa host, Derick Fage, and the entire volunteer crew for the opportunity to be on the show on Friday April 12th. This was my first ever live TV appearance, discussing my debut crime thriller novel, A Case Against the Clock, and the history of ALS in my family. Derick and crew could not have been more courteous and accommodating. Derick’s engaging personality and professionalism made the interview seem effortless. I’m grateful to Derick and to the talented volunteers working behind the scenes for making this such a wonderful and memorable ‘on-air’ experience. It was also a pleasure meeting the other guests prior to the show - @siskphoto and @fitwithjulesnow. My segment begins at the 49-minute mark.

Crime Thriller Novel, A Case Against the Clock, Is Now Available!

 I’m delighted  to announce the launch of my debut novel, A Case Against the Clock. It’s a thriller about a criminal profiler, Reg Battie, who has been retained by police to help identify the person responsible for three vicious murders. But, Reg has a challenge – he’s battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease.

 A special thank you to the many friends, family members and colleagues for their support and feedback in helping to bring this novel to life.

A Case Against the Clock is available from Amazon as an eBook and as a print-on-demand paperback. See link below. For every book sold, I’ll be donating $1.00 (CAD) to ALS Canada.

Click Here To Order