Watch The Hour, ISBN: 978-1-60313-476-7
In the 1870s Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region, mine owners and their employees, particularly the Irish immigrants, are in conflict over working conditions.
Private police forces commissioned by the state but paid by the coal companies are sworn to protect property of the mine owners. The miners know their real purpose is to spy upon targeted agitators and intimidate and break up strikers.
In the 1870s Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region, mine owners and their employees, particularly the Irish immigrants, are in conflict over working conditions.
Private police forces commissioned by the state but paid by the coal companies are sworn to protect property of the mine owners. The miners know their real purpose is to spy upon targeted agitators and intimidate and break up strikers.
The Mollie Maguires, a secret society some see as working to improve the lot of the Irish and which others damn as a terrorist organization, are viewed as an increasing threat.
Benjamin Franklin Yeager is a coal company police officer. He does his best to follow orders while trying to be fair to the workers whose lot he sees as little different from his own. Despite his efforts at fairness, Yeager’s job makes him the enemy of the Irish.
And that’s the crux of his troubles.
For Ben is in love with an Irish girl.
Corruption’s Child (third in the Sticks Hetrick mystery series), ISBN: 978-1-60313-219-0
Retired police chief Daniel ‘Sticks’ Hetrick, still serving as unofficial consultant to his less experienced successor, has another murder to deal with in rural Swatara Creek, Pennsylvania. It soon develops the death of a local waitress is not the only trouble in the township. An elderly man has been seriously injured in the latest of a string of burglaries from the Amish, the burglaries may have a connection to unscrupulous antique dealers, there are items missing from the police department evidence room and rumors are circulating of drug dealing. What—if anything—does all this have in common?
Could it be the strange Amish girl who may, or may not be, Flora Vastine’s new friend?
Welcome to Bookland Heights, J. R.!
ReplyDeleteThe above books are set in Pennsylvania, and "Corruption's Child" is third in the Sticks Hetrick mystery series.
Please give us some background on the setting and your series. Also, what initially got you into writing?
Diana
Have a good visit John. These are fantastic books.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Blake
Welcome to BH, JR! I just read an excellent review of Watch the Hour on Long & Short Reviews.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your next project?
Mary
http://www.marycunninghambooks.com
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpts and interesting topics.
Regards
Margaret
Hi Diana and Mary,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to visit here.
'Watch The Hour' is set in Pennsylvania's anthracite coal region where I grew up. The Sticks Hetrick books are set in the Harrisburg PA area, where I lived for 20 years. So, in that sense, you might say my writing reflects areas I know.
I've just submitted the fourth in the Hetrick series to my publisher, Whiskey Creek Press.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteOne of the less heralded advantages of growing older is that you can write with authority on more things from your personal experience, interlacing details from reality to give your stories immediacy.
Here's to a life lived well and good luck with your fourth book.
Amy
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks. There are SOME advantages to age. Actually, it's the fourth in the Hetrick series. I have seven books out and this would make the eighth.
Okay, I'll trust you that there are SOME advantages to age :>) (actually, I agree...and am loving this time of my life!)
ReplyDeleteBut enough about me! What is the one thing about your writing or your books that you'd really like readers to know?
Diana
I'll take Diana's question a step further. Is there anything you DON'T want your readers to know? heh-heh
ReplyDeleteOkay, how about something funny about yourself that we might not know.
Mary
One thing I'd like readers to know is that I love research and I take it seriously. I guess that comes from my avocation as a genealogist. I'm librarian of our county historical society where I assist people with research and genealogy. The research aspect comes in handy when I'm involved with a historical novel.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that it's particularly funny but I'm adventurous when it comes to food. I'll sample any cuisine that looks half-way edible--and I've sampled some which didn't pass the look-test.
Diana and Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity of being here.
I agree with you on the research, JR, especially when you're writing historical novels. Accuracy with clothing, speech, furniture, music and, even food is crucial.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here! We've enjoyed it and wish you much success.
Mary