Dear Readers,
I’m proud announce that on September 1st Guernica Editions officially released its fall catalog, featuring my novel Her Own Devices: A novel or two and 20 other books. As Guernica is a Canadian publisher, most of the authors it publishes are Canadian. I’m grateful to publisher Michael Mirolla for including my work in his list.
In the US, my novel is available at most online booksellers and select bookstores. However, if you order it from bookshop.org between now and September 22nd, you can get 10% off with coupon code Devices. Type in the code at checkout after providing a shipping address. Clicking the above affiliate link earns me a modest commission.
Note: As of today, the book is on back order at bookshop.org. I am working with the parties involved to get copies into my bookstore as soon as possible.
Here’s what it’s about:
Picture an immigrant girl in restless sleep on a street in Athens. What evil might befall such a child, one of the multitudes fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa? Greece is full of reactionary and even liberal self-styled patriots bent on expelling hapless refugees and, as always, organized crime happily cashes in on their animus.
Geoffrey Dutton‘s gripping novel tells the story of a single mother of a vulnerable child who decides to put child traffickers out of business—with a little help from her friends.
Welcome to Athens, where children get snatched off the street and the cops don’t seem to care. But Anna—whose son could be next—does, and becomes obsessed with bringing a pair of kidnappers and a bad cop to justice. Bucking her own insecurities, Anna hatches a risky plan to save an abducted child waith digital devices and unreliable allies. One she hasn’t counted on is her son’s late father, Mahmoud. Though he’s dead, his spirit observes them from a misty limbo, wanting to absolve her nagging guilt for his passing. As a ghost, he clearly can’t—or can he? Follow them through the streets of Athens to find out.
An Excerpt (p. 257):
“Come ON!” Anna urged Andreas, latching onto his arm and tugging him like a hound on a leash. As they passed by Inspector Nicolaides inspecting the wagon’s hatch, he looked up to see, striking his occiput on the transom. Through a swarm of sparks, he shouted: “Hey! You can’t go in there!”
Anna shook her head, and scurried through the doorway, pulling Andreas after her.
They found themselves in a kitchen updated with granite countertops and coldly gleaming appliances. On a breakfast island, a box of corn flakes and a carton of milk sat next to a bowl of sodden cereal with a spoon sticking out.
“RAMADI! It’s Mutti. Are you in here?” Anna cried.
Hearing no response, Andreas suggested they head up front.
“RAMADI! Where are you?” she said, just as Nicolaides burst in.
“Get out of here now! This is a—”
“Shush! My son is in here! RAMADI!”
“—crime scene. And don’t touch anything on your way out.”
Ignoring the edict, she approached an open door with steps going down.
“RAMADI! ARE YOU DOWN THERE?”
A muted “Mutti?” wafted up the stairs.
“I’M COMING!” Anna yelled.
“DON’T!” Nicolaides said, rushing over and pushing her aside. “Who knows who’s down there.”
Andreas came up behind them to shout: “RAMADI! It’s Onkle! Are you alone down there?”
“Mutti! Onkle! Come see what I found!”
“He sounds okay,” Andreas said. “I think it’s safe to go down.”
“Stay here,” Nicolaides growled. He hunched down the stairs, gripping his pistol in both hands, training it left and right before attaining the concrete floor without incident. Over his shoulder he instructed them to turn on the light. Andreas flipped a switch inside the doorway and a fluorescent fixture flickered on. Anna stood before him, gaping, fingers pressed to cheeks.
Facing the detective were three doorways. The middle door was recessed behind the other two and stood ajar with light shining out. Those on either side were hinged plywood panels with padlocks hanging from hasps. With flicks of his muzzle, he nudged open first door, then the other, revealing windowless closets with chicken wire ceilings and circus motif wallpaper. In each, a foam pad with a thin blanket lay on the floor next to a chamber pot. Hugging the wall, he edged toward the center door, gun poised. Atop the stairway, Anna bit her lip as she clutched Andreas’ arm.
Praise from Readers:
- “An absorbing, well-crafted tale of a courageous mother who enlists a colorful cast of characters to pursue a child predator through the gritty streets of Athens. Her Own Devices is a moving story of human triumph.” —Nadine Bjursten, author of Half a Cup of Sand and Sky
- “This book is a masterful tale that transcends genres, seamlessly blending mystery, thriller, and family drama into a gripping narrative that will leave readers enthralled. It’s more than just a story; it’s a journey into the depths of the human soul, where light and shadow converge to show readers that nothing is ever quite so simple as good and evil. Fans of any genre will not regret picking up this book.” — BookTrib.com (more)
- “This book is Anna’s tale, [who] is appropriately making up her life as she goes along, leading with her heart. An urgent crusade to keep children safe drives this colorful, fictional biography.” — Kirkus Reviews (more)
- “Intelligently and evocatively written … a book to savor and celebrate” — ChatGPT (just kidding)
Please, if you read and enjoy Her Own Devices, tell your friends, your book clubs, request your public library to access it, and, if you have it in you, review it at Amazon, Goodreads, on your blog, or wherever you may write about literature. And remember to use the coupon code Devices should you order it from bookshop.org.
One more thing: Much of of Devices‘ backstory originates in my 2018 thriller Turkey Shoot, which shares many of its events, characters, and settings. Find a taste of it here (chapter one) and further details here. It’s also available in my bookstore for $17.66.
Thanks for reading my newsletter and hopefully my books.
Cheers,
–Geoff
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