The American Zone (eBook)

A Novel of Panama

Howard Shrier (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
350 Seiten
Canal Street Press (Verlag)
978-1-7779412-3-9 (ISBN)

Infos

The Panama Canal was a marvel of engineering that changed maritime and military history. But in 1906, the American Zone was one of the deadliest places in the world to live and work. In this gripping historical novel, acclaimed author Howard Shrier takes you to the heart of the American effort to make the oceans meet. He skillfully blends a cast of real players like President Theodore Roosevelt and chief engineer John Frank Stevens with a compelling fictional cast: Asa Hawkins, a naïve young laborer from Barbados who finds himself accused of murder; Canal Zone Police officer Jack Adams, charged with hunting Asa down; Army nurse Anne Currie, desperate to reduce the mounting number of deaths in the Zone; newspaper reporter Sally Diamond, looking for a just cause to make her own; and anarchist Alvaro Alvarez, who hopes to make his own kind of history when Roosevelt tours the isthmus in November. With his trademark ear for dialogue and eye for detail, Shrier exposes the dangers that lurk in every corner of Panama and the exploitation of West Indian workers who died by the thousands to make America's dream come true.

Howard Shrier is a two-time winner of Canada's highest crime fiction prize, the only author ever to win awards for best first novel (Buffalo Jump, 2008) and best novel (High Chicago, 2009) in consecutive years. Howard has published seven books of fiction-six novels and one collection of stories, including the acclaimed Jonah Geller series published by Random House Canada. Howard's work has received starred reviews in Library Journal and Publishers Weekly and a rare five-star rating in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine ('Shrier is my top find of 2012,' wrote Steve Steinbock in his end-of-year column). His newest novel (The American Zone, 2025), a gripping tale of life and work on the Panama Canal in 1906, the deadliest year of the project, marks his first foray into historical fiction. Howard was born and raised in Montreal, where he earned an Honours Degree in Journalism and Creative Writing at Concordia University. He started out as a crime reporter at The Montreal Star and has since worked in print journalism, theatre and television, sketch comedy and improv, and corporate and government communications. Howard lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons. A former writing instructor at University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, he now teaches independently and mentors writers working to bring manuscripts up to professional standards. You can find out more about his work at howardshrier.com.

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PRAISE FOR HOWARD SHRIER

When it was Cold: Stories

“Shrier’s crisp prose, sharp characterizations and razor-like dialogue make him a pleasure to read.”

— Bestselling author Linwood Barclay

“Howard Shrier deserves an honoured place on any shelf of Canadian fiction. He has updated the hard-boiled genre with tremendous wit, wide-ranging plots and a keen eye for just the right details of setting. This collection should bring his stories to an even wider audience.”

— Giles Blunt, award-winning author of the John Cardinal series

“A diverse and entertaining collection of noir tales that is vintage Shrier, the pervasive mood taking its force from the dark settings and damaged characters that we have come to expect from the talented author. His many fans will have much to rejoice about this collection, and I predict it will leave them – as it has me – calling for more.”

— Jim Napier, Ottawa Review of Books

Done with Him, Winner, Toronto Star Short Story Contest, 2021

“A dialogue-driven tale of two brothers with conflicting motives…These conversations, with plot twists and turns, are what drive this story forward in a highly compelling if not heartbreaking way.”

— Celina Gallardo, Toronto Star

Milk Teeth, featured in the 2017 anthology Montreal Noir

“There are no bad stories here, but there are many standouts. I particularly liked the selections in the section called On The Edge, especially Howard Shrier’s Milk Teeth (based in Rue Rachel).”

— Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail

“Howard Shrier (Miss Montreal, 2013) vividly evokes the mid-century Plateau in “Milk Teeth,” a grim police procedural about the murder of a young girl….”

— Yutaka Dirks, Montreal Review of Books

***

Miss Montreal (Jonah Geller #4)

Finalist, Arthur Ellis Award, Best Novel of 2013

Finalist, Bony Blithe Award, Best Humourous Mystery of 2013

“Maturing as one of recent crime fiction’s shining stars, his latest effort will resonate with anyone who knows [Montreal], and earn Shrier many new followers.” — Jim Napier, January Magazine

“A great crime romp through our city. Shrier gets Montreal right.”

— Francois Lauzon, Montreal Gazette

“Montreal is more than a background, it’s a character in the novel, as L.A. is to Chandler or Boston to Parker. This is the best Jonah Geller book yet.”

— Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail

“Crime novels featuring able, sympathetic investigator bonded with rough-and-tumble, harder-edged buddy constitute a familiar formula, but it’s a formula that, done right, can be winningly fun to read. In Miss Montreal, Howard Shrier does it right — and does so thoughtfully.”

— Joan Barfoot, London Free Press

“A smart mix of deduction, instinct and being in the worst place at the best possible time.”

— Sarah Weinman, National Post

“Montreal’s hectic vibrancy, ethnic tensions and political shenanigans are well captured and should translate exotically south of the border… Geller’s perilous and hilarious exploits with ex-contract killer Ryan (surely one of the more inventive rich crime-lit pairings) muscle this tale along... Go, discover Geller. Because Shrier is in hot pursuit of a best-novel three-peat.”

— John Sullivan, Winnipeg Free Press

“Shrier portrays the city with the eye of a true connoisseur. His characters are as vivid as the streets – smart, wisecracking and less than squeaky clean. And Geller is that perfect mix of tough and compassionate. Miss Montreal is one of those books you can’t put down. It’s a great addition to the world of crime fiction.” — Lesley McAllister, NOW Magazine

“Geller’s voice is smart, funny and contemporary. This summer read features fast cars, wisecracks and guns galore — what more could a reader ask for?”

— Joann Alberstat, Halifax Chronicle Herald

“Shrier has clearly not lost touch with Montreal and its ever-volatile social, political, cultural and crime scenes… It’s his knowledge of the city’s inner workings that makes his latest caper so credible — and frighteningly so.”

— Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette.

“My pick of the month for June… Well worth reading. Someone should make a movie out of this.”

— Richard King, Global TV (AM Reads Book Club)

“This fast-paced mystery features both action movie-worthy car chases and a nuanced portrayal of tensions between Quebec’s cultural groups — with vivid accounts of the city’s famous neighbourhoods and seedy underbelly.”

— Jillian Bell, Chatelaine (Summer book club pick.)

“Shrier’s books are consistent in tone and depth, smartly written mysteries that rarely telegraph where they’re going. Miss Montreal is another ambitious but successful book, proof positive that Shrier is one of the finest mystery writers extant.”

— Shlomo Schwartzberg, criticsatlarge.ca

“Readers who enjoy hardboiled detective novels with expert pacing and rich physical details will delight in Miss Montreal.”

— Sarah Lolley, Montreal Review of Books

“Howard Shrier has done a fantastic job with the setting. Descriptions of Montreal, the inhabitants and the current atmosphere are all detailed and ring true. The plotting was excellent and frighteningly believable. Fans of the crime genre, I encourage you to discover this award winning Canadian series.”

— Luanne Ollivier, A Bookworm’s World

***

Boston Cream (Jonah Geller #3)

“Shrier is my top find of the year. His excellent PI series deserves much wider attention.”

— Steve Steinbock, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

“There is a reason Shrier consistently wins the Arthur Ellis Award. He tells a really good story. Relish the local colour. cultural nuances and successive waves of action.”

— Starred review, Library Journal

“Having won Arthur Ellis Awards for 2008’s Buffalo Jump and 2009’s High Chicago, Shrier should make it three in a row with this excellent effort.”

— Starred review, Publisher’s Weekly

“As with his previous books, Shrier keeps the pace moving at a brisk clip, ups the ante…and makes the reader care.”

— Sarah Weinman, Quill and Quire

“Crime writers should look over their shoulders: Howard Shrier started strong, and he’s only getting better.”

— Jim Napier, Spinetingler Magazine

“A mystery thriller of insight, compassion, with an infectious sense of urgency that drives to a conclusion both real and satisfying.”

— Don Graves, Hamilton Spectator

“Shrier has a great eye for location and a good ear for dialogue. Add those to solid characters and an intriguing plot and you have a winning combination for any mystery lover.”

— Margaret Cannon, The Globe and Mail

“If you like your shoot ‘em up action mixed with clever dialogue and thought provoking conundrums, then Boston Cream is just the ticket.”

— Elizabeth Read, Women’s Post

***

High Chicago (Jonah Geller #2)

Winner, Arthur Ellis Award, Best Novel of 2009

“Howard Shrier’s first novel, Buffalo Jump, won the Arthur Ellis Award for best first novel. High Chicago, his second, will definitely be short-listed for another. It’s got the same stellar characters, the same clever plotting, and, if anything, an even better story.”

— Margaret Cannon, The Globe and Mail

“High Chicago confirms Shrier as an author to watch for, both in Canada and abroad.”

— Don Graves, Hamilton Spectator

“Shrier writes with an easy assurance and a killer sense of humour… High Chicago is a great addition to the mystery shelf. Jonah Geller is the kind of wise, justice-seeking guy you can’t resist.”

— Lesley McAllister, NOW Magazine

“A more than worthy sequel, with an intriguing plot, a wicked sense of humour and masterfully managed dialogue. You might even say that Shrier is making the world of crime fiction a better place, one Jonah Geller mystery at a time.”

— Todd Kimberley, Calgary Herald

“Shrier’s first Jonah Geller mystery was terrific; High Chicago is even better.”

— Bestselling author Linwood Barclay

“If...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 11.2.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Historische Romane
• ISBN-10: 1-7779412-3-7 / 1777941237
• ISBN-13: 978-1-7779412-3-9 / 9781777941239