FICTION
Named by KIRKUS REVIEWS
"One of the best Indie
books of 2021"
THE GOD QUESTION and
THE GALAPAGOS COLONY
(2021)
ISBN: 978-1-7344384-4-4
Pages: 202
Retail price: paperback - $14.95,
ebook - $5.95
Available here on Amazon as a paperback
with a link to the ebook.
The book can also be ordered through
any bookstore.
In these two sci-fi novellas, the difficult relationship of science and religion is explored.
In THE GOD QUESTION, a programming breakthrough at Stanford University produces the first supercomputer with intelligence greater than a human’s – far greater. The federal government quickly confiscates the software as a security threat. However, working in secret, two scientists with a backup copy decide to program their own supercomputer with it and ask the ultimate question: Is there evidence for God, for a spiritual framework to life? To their astonishment, the computer arrives at an answer.
Their problem is that it refuses to tell them what that answer is.
In THE GALAPAGOS COLONY, In 2242, a settlement ship sent out from Earth and carrying several hundred people becomes hopelessly lost. Eventually they find what they believe is a hospitable planet. It isn’t. Only the youngest children survive in the stranded colony. However, without a knowledge of Earth’s history or of the technologies that brought them there, they still manage to forge a distinct culture based on a unique philosophy.
Two centuries later, a passing deep-space probe finds them.
In THE GOD QUESTION, a programming breakthrough at Stanford University produces the first supercomputer with intelligence greater than a human’s – far greater. The federal government quickly confiscates the software as a security threat. However, working in secret, two scientists with a backup copy decide to program their own supercomputer with it and ask the ultimate question: Is there evidence for God, for a spiritual framework to life? To their astonishment, the computer arrives at an answer.
Their problem is that it refuses to tell them what that answer is.
In THE GALAPAGOS COLONY, In 2242, a settlement ship sent out from Earth and carrying several hundred people becomes hopelessly lost. Eventually they find what they believe is a hospitable planet. It isn’t. Only the youngest children survive in the stranded colony. However, without a knowledge of Earth’s history or of the technologies that brought them there, they still manage to forge a distinct culture based on a unique philosophy.
Two centuries later, a passing deep-space probe finds them.
REVIEWS
“Highly recommended ... An exceptional opportunity for thinking sci-fi readers ... A thought-provoking juxtaposition of hard sci-fi and spiritual philosophy” –– THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“An entertaining speculative work that powerfully reflects on faith and philosophy ... The skillfully written stories gain strength from their multilayered characterizations.” –– KIRKUS REVIEWS (Starred review, 9-1-21)
"Fascinating ... In the style of the science fiction greats such as Asimov and Clarke ... Great storytelling." –– THE SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW
“An entertaining speculative work that powerfully reflects on faith and philosophy ... The skillfully written stories gain strength from their multilayered characterizations.” –– KIRKUS REVIEWS (Starred review, 9-1-21)
"Fascinating ... In the style of the science fiction greats such as Asimov and Clarke ... Great storytelling." –– THE SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW
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PANTOMIME
(2011) ISBN: 978-0-9893333-2-0 Pages: 262 Retail price: paperback - $15.95, ebook - $5.95 Available here on Amazon as a paperback with a link to the ebook. |
In the spring 1911, a group of unemployed stage and vaudeville actors in New York City goes to work for a new film company making one-reelers in a converted milk-processing plant across the Hudson River in New Jersey. To their astonishment, they become some of the earliest stars of moving pictures.
PANTOMIME, a novel, follows these actors’ lives through World War I and the rise of Hollywood in the 1920s. Some go on to great fame and wealth in motion pictures, while others slip into obscurity – and worse.
PANTOMIME, a novel, follows these actors’ lives through World War I and the rise of Hollywood in the 1920s. Some go on to great fame and wealth in motion pictures, while others slip into obscurity – and worse.
REVIEWS
The portion of the novel was originally published by the author under the title “The Blanchard Brothers Film Company.” Here are reviews for that version.
“A page turning read steeped in the senses of yesteryear” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Although fiction, the story gives a wonderful insight into the human (and sometimes inhuman) side of the early motion-picture industry.” –– HEARTLAND REVIEWS
“A page turning read steeped in the senses of yesteryear” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Although fiction, the story gives a wonderful insight into the human (and sometimes inhuman) side of the early motion-picture industry.” –– HEARTLAND REVIEWS
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THE EASTER MAN
(2020) ISBN: 978-1-7344384-3-7 Pages: 314 Retail price: paperback - $16.95, ebook - $5.95 Available here on Amazon as a paperback with a link to the ebook. |
The third book in the John Nolan detective series, THE EASTER MAN is set in the early days of World War I before America entered the conflict. A German plot is brewing to blow up several dozen ships while they sit in their berths in New York Harbor, freighters that will carry munitions and other war supplies to the Allies. Also targeted will be the city residences of J. P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller Jr. as well as New York City Hall, Grand Central Terminal, the Woolworth building, the Metropolitan Opera House, Macy’s, New York City police headquarters and the British and French embassies. The explosions are all planned for the same day, Easter Sunday, 1916, with the intention of sending Americans an emphatic warning to stay out of the fighting or else the war will be brought to their soil.
A rumor about the impending plot begins to circulate in the New York City Police Department. It is also said a German spy, a specialist with a new type of explosive, is making his way to New York to lead the conspiracy.
Fearing the department’s own undercover men are known by the Germans, New York City police officials turn to an outsider, John Nolan, a Brooklyn private detective and a recent arrival from Ireland, to somehow infiltrate the German spy ring and prevent the bombings.
A rumor about the impending plot begins to circulate in the New York City Police Department. It is also said a German spy, a specialist with a new type of explosive, is making his way to New York to lead the conspiracy.
Fearing the department’s own undercover men are known by the Germans, New York City police officials turn to an outsider, John Nolan, a Brooklyn private detective and a recent arrival from Ireland, to somehow infiltrate the German spy ring and prevent the bombings.
REVIEWS
“Remarkable ... Freeman’s vision is unique ... It is a period piece in all its glory. There are moments in THE EASTER MAN where I found myself swept up in the pre-World War I splendor and wonder ... I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the story.” –– READER VIEWS
“Exceptionally well-written ... Especially recommended for historical mystery readers who will find the wartime era and New York City setting serve as realistic backdrops to a thoroughly engrossing struggle ... THE EASTER MAN is the third John Nolan detective novel ... Newcomers need no prior familiarity to find the persona and actions of Detective Nolan involving and compelling.” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“A fun detective story: the good hero to root for and the villain to dislike ... The plot does not lull ... (A) quick pace and easy writing style ... I suspect there will be more adventures to come (for John Nolan).” –– MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW
“Exceptionally well-written ... Especially recommended for historical mystery readers who will find the wartime era and New York City setting serve as realistic backdrops to a thoroughly engrossing struggle ... THE EASTER MAN is the third John Nolan detective novel ... Newcomers need no prior familiarity to find the persona and actions of Detective Nolan involving and compelling.” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“A fun detective story: the good hero to root for and the villain to dislike ... The plot does not lull ... (A) quick pace and easy writing style ... I suspect there will be more adventures to come (for John Nolan).” –– MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW
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FIRE IN THE RECTORY
and two more John Nolan detective novellas (2020) ISBN: 978-0-9893333-9-9 Pages: 217 Retail price: paperback - $15.95, ebook - $5.95 Available here on Amazon as a paperback with a link to the ebook. |
“⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎” – 5 out of 5 stars "Set in the 1910s, the book captures the time and place beautifully." –– MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW
A fire destroys a church rectory in Brooklyn in 1915 and a valuable painting is lost, a Raphael, but was it arson to disguise the theft of the painting?
A pacifist running for Congress in Brooklyn receives a death threat, but when he ignores it, his young son is kidnapped and threatened with a gruesome end unless the father drops out of the race.
A violinist for the Metropolitan Opera is charged with the murder of another musician in the orchestra, but he vows he had nothing to do with it, that he is being railroaded because he is an Italian national.
John Nolan, a private detective and a recent immigrant from Ireland, is drawn into all three cases, challenging his investigative skills and, ultimately, his intuition about people’s innocence or guilt. Set during the years of World War I, when America was swelling with newly arrived residents, when bigotry, poverty, and corruption in government were rampant, these three novellas offer a sharply drawn, realistic view of life nearly a century ago in New York City.
A fire destroys a church rectory in Brooklyn in 1915 and a valuable painting is lost, a Raphael, but was it arson to disguise the theft of the painting?
A pacifist running for Congress in Brooklyn receives a death threat, but when he ignores it, his young son is kidnapped and threatened with a gruesome end unless the father drops out of the race.
A violinist for the Metropolitan Opera is charged with the murder of another musician in the orchestra, but he vows he had nothing to do with it, that he is being railroaded because he is an Italian national.
John Nolan, a private detective and a recent immigrant from Ireland, is drawn into all three cases, challenging his investigative skills and, ultimately, his intuition about people’s innocence or guilt. Set during the years of World War I, when America was swelling with newly arrived residents, when bigotry, poverty, and corruption in government were rampant, these three novellas offer a sharply drawn, realistic view of life nearly a century ago in New York City.
REVIEWS
“Engrossing ... One of Fire in the Rectory's strengths lies in its historical accuracy, which brings the era and its culture to life ... All the stories excel in a fine balance of whodunit, politics, cultural inspection, and a sense of 1900s America.” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Ingenious writing ... Set during the time of World War I when immigrants were arriving in force to the United States, the author shows how bigotry, poverty, and corruption prevailed with his well-researched historical facts.” –– READER VIEWS
“Those who like an old-fashioned mystery with a dose of historical realism will enjoy these stories ... All three offer a vibrant sample of what life in New York City, just after the turn of the century, could offer.” –– THE BOOK REVIEW DIRECTORY
“Excellent ... Each tale has twists and turns I could never manage to predict. Was the fire an accident or arson? Is Mr. Hughes truly the sort of man he seems? If the most obvious suspect did indeed commit the murder, where is his weapon? I didn’t even try to guess the answers to these questions but merely let the story take me along for the ride.” –– MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW
"Fans of classical detective novels and who-done-its should enjoy these stories ... The period detail is extremely accurate, giving a nice feel of New York in the early 20th century, and photo illustrations add to this sense of the era .... The dialogue is well written, and the plots move along nicely ... Competently crafted.” –– HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW
“Ingenious writing ... Set during the time of World War I when immigrants were arriving in force to the United States, the author shows how bigotry, poverty, and corruption prevailed with his well-researched historical facts.” –– READER VIEWS
“Those who like an old-fashioned mystery with a dose of historical realism will enjoy these stories ... All three offer a vibrant sample of what life in New York City, just after the turn of the century, could offer.” –– THE BOOK REVIEW DIRECTORY
“Excellent ... Each tale has twists and turns I could never manage to predict. Was the fire an accident or arson? Is Mr. Hughes truly the sort of man he seems? If the most obvious suspect did indeed commit the murder, where is his weapon? I didn’t even try to guess the answers to these questions but merely let the story take me along for the ride.” –– MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW
"Fans of classical detective novels and who-done-its should enjoy these stories ... The period detail is extremely accurate, giving a nice feel of New York in the early 20th century, and photo illustrations add to this sense of the era .... The dialogue is well written, and the plots move along nicely ... Competently crafted.” –– HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW
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THE JUGGLER
a novella (2016) ISBN: 978-1-9837405-9-6 Pages: 87 Retail price: paperback - $6.50, ebook - $1.99 Available here on Amazon as a paperback with a link to the ebook. |
“A story line that grabs reader attention from the start … THE JUGGLER offers a solid, first-person reflection on how a boy grows into adulthood … A different coming of age saga presented in a compact, hard-hitting package ... Highly recommended” –– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
In the 1930s, an Indiana farmboy, Richard Grenier, teaches himself to juggle. Through long hours of practice, he develops astonishing skills and seems headed for a career as a professional juggler. But an illness contracted while serving in World War II robs him of his abilities. He returns to the United States a shadow of the person who left it. The story asks the question: How does someone lose what is essentially their life and muster the will to find a new one?
In the 1930s, an Indiana farmboy, Richard Grenier, teaches himself to juggle. Through long hours of practice, he develops astonishing skills and seems headed for a career as a professional juggler. But an illness contracted while serving in World War II robs him of his abilities. He returns to the United States a shadow of the person who left it. The story asks the question: How does someone lose what is essentially their life and muster the will to find a new one?