Blog Archives
The Mephisto Swamp Mystery
Dorian Rockwood’s The Mephisto Swamp Mystery drops readers into a sun-struck 1940s world of soda fountains, boxing gyms, and canoe trips gone very wrong, then sends identical twin brothers Dan and Paul Case into the eerie wetlands of Mephisto Swamp, where a casual graduation adventure turns into the discovery of a hidden counterfeiting operation run out of an abandoned sawmill. What begins with a fake bill in town and some lively family-and-friends banter tightens into a chase story with kidnappings, improvised escapes, and a criminal ring whose reach is much larger than the boys first realize. Dan’s artistic eye, Paul’s physical confidence, and the novel’s swamp setting give the mystery a strong identity from the start.
What I liked most is the book’s temperament. It has the clean engine of a classic adventure mystery, but it is not bloodless or mechanical. The brothers are genuinely likable together; their teasing feels lived-in rather than manufactured, and the dialogue often has a nimble, unforced charm. I especially liked the way Rockwood gives Dan a perceptive, slightly inward sensibility without making him passive. The swamp itself is one of the book’s best achievements: not just spooky, but lush, damp, and faintly infernal, a place that feels painterly and rank at the same time. There is a pleasing old-school straightforwardness to the storytelling, yet it still has enough texture to avoid feeling like a museum piece.
I also found myself responding to the book’s moral grain. Beneath the cliffhangers and peril, there is a steadiness about decency, family, and second chances that gives the story more ballast than a routine caper. The counterfeit plot is exciting on its own, but the novel gets extra lift from the emotional material around the twins’ late father, their mother, and Steve Barton’s tentative place in the family circle. Even the resolution resists pure thumping triumph; it leaves room for mercy as well as victory, which I found unexpectedly affecting. Some beats arrive with serial-style obviousness, but the book’s sincerity works in its favor more often than not.
I would hand this to readers who enjoy mystery, adventure, historical mystery, YA mystery, and amateur sleuth fiction, especially anyone who likes capable teenage heroes, period atmosphere, and danger that stays thrilling rather than nihilistic. It feels closest in spirit to The Hardy Boys, though Rockwood gives the material a more humid, bruised, backwater mood than those books usually carry. I came away thinking this is a brisk, personable, swamp-dark mystery with a square jaw and a pulse.
Pages: 191 | ASIN : B0GDMX7FW2
The Whims of the Natural World
An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze follows a 15-year-old boy navigating the challenges of adolescence while the world around him is engulfed in chaos. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Because my father was killed in WWII, the war has always been an interest. At some point, the idea of somebody lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts in Seattle captured my imagination. As a former sixth-grade teacher, I understand how inadequate we are at teaching civics and history, especially to young people, hence teenage readers became my target audience.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
The novel is set in my Seattle neighborhood, which by the way, still looks almost exactly like it did in 1943. Much of the story reflects my own lived experiences, though slightly updated to the nineteen fifties. I grew up near the “wilds” of Ravenna Park – in terrain that shaped my mind as much as my appreciation of nature. This experience cultivated my habits of listening, observing, and yielding to the whims of the natural world.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The central idea of An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze cried out to become a mystery. It was also a vehicle to portray the homefront in a way most young readers had not been exposed to. I merely hope readers enjoy An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze and learn a little history along the way.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The children’s stories I noodled around with years ago are brewing on the back burner, and I’m waiting to see if they spark my interest. An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze follows my debut novel (published in September 2023) – River’s Reach: Coming of Age Amid the Fish War – a coming-of-age adventure (for “kids” of all ages) that highlights the tensions between the Washington State Game Department and the Nisqually Indians over tribal fishing rights in the Nisqually Valley. With River’s Reach, I hoped to open minds, encouraging people to question beliefs and prejudices that might otherwise settle in for a lifetime.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Into this fragile balance a neighborhood threat emerges: Someone is lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts. Scotty, whose father is an air raid warden, is soon caught up in the firebug mystery and tries to smoke the arsonist out. When the local bully throws suspicion on Scotty’s draft-age brother, and when even his best friend’s actions don’t seem to add up, Scotty must navigate a moral and ethical thicket while treading a path toward maturity. Even as scarcity slips into every nook and cranny, An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze celebrates a youthful spirit and hearkens to simple pleasures, where free time and family abound.
David Scott Richardson’s An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze is a work of historical fiction set in 1943 in the Pacific Northwest. A heartwarming and playful coming-of-age adventure, this novel is suitable for MG/YA and the young at heart. It contains no gratuitous language, but there are a few slurs that are true to the historical setting and swear words-in keeping with the characters and story.
Tales of Witches and Wyverns
In the heart of a world painted with myths and legends, Enid stands apart, often referred to as the witch’s daughter. While this title might have once been a weapon her adversaries wielded against her, it became a beacon of hope when a young lad named Dylan bravely defended her. As fate interweaves their destinies, Enid finds herself on a quest to rescue Dylan from the clutches of the malevolent Unseelie Queen. This audacious ruler doesn’t merely reside in the realm of folklore; she seeks dominion over the human world.
S. Ramsey draws us into an enchanting realm of the fae, where dreams intertwine with reality and legends come alive. Tales of Witches and Wyverns takes readers on a journey with Enid, where, alongside two gallant princes, she navigates a landscape inspired by age-old folklore, replete with magical beings and tantalizing enchantments. Ramsey’s storytelling exudes vibrancy and creativity, offering readers a lush tapestry of characters and settings.
Although primarily catered to the young adult demographic, the novel possesses universal appeal. Enid’s evolution from a perceived damsel to a hero in her own right is commendable, turning the traditional “damsel and dragon” trope on its head. Her innocence occasionally renders her vulnerable, but her unwavering spirit ensures she finds her path, no matter the obstacles.
Tales of Witches and Wyverns is an invigorating read for readers who enjoy fantasy and folklore. As I delved into Enid’s adventures, I found myself eagerly anticipating the future chapters in her journey and am genuinely excited about the treasures Ramsey will unveil in subsequent novels.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0CBQMQLWM
