Zack and Joanne meet their nearly 6 year old grandsons, Colin and Charlie, at a dog breeder near Regina to pick out a puppy. When they arrive the breeder, Neil who has Down Syndrome, startles Zack:
Neil spoke slowly, and he stuttered a little when he was excited. “That’s right. It took me awhile to find the right puppy for you, Mr. Shreve. But I found him, and here he is. He’s a boy, and you get to choose his name. Neil handed the squirming puppy to Zack and the pup immediately settled in.
I was emotional reading about the new dog. Zack can now move forward with life.
Just as Zack was surprised by Neil, Joanne is equally caught off-guard when they go for lunch at Val Masluk’s home near Neil’s place. Val is a writer who is about to have published a lengthy biography of Steven Brooks, a very successful Canadian fiction author. Val, using the surname of Massey, had been a student of Joanne during an ugly time involving fellow professor, Tom Kelsoe.
Leah, Steven’s daughter, and Angus, Joanne’s son, are getting married just after the Labour Day Weekend. They are 15 years into their relationship.
There is abundant tension about Steven. Leah has had little to do with her father but he has come to Regina for the wedding. Her unmarried aunts, Reva and Mila, effectively raised her.
In addition to the wedding there are multiple family birthdays to be celebrated.
An anonymous emailer raises issues of plagiarism with regard to Steven’s last two books, Medusa’s Fate and The Iron Bed of Procustes drawn from classical Greek stories. Steven’s first three books had modest readership. After eight years without a book Steven was fading from public and publishing view. The two brilliant books save his career and make him famous.
As Val is interviewed by Charlie Dowhaniuk, the Shreve’s son-in-law, for his national radio show the tension level with regard to Steven is ratcheted up.
All tread carefully. Accusations of plagiarism, if true, would be devastating for Steven’s career.
Val is in a quandary. He is embarking on a national promotional tour as the rumours circulate. He is constantly asked about the claims of plagiarism. He wants to avoid speculation. Deflecting the issue seems best.
Back in Regina Zack and Joanne are occupied with the outdoor fall wedding and the birthday parties.
Concerns over Steven take precedence over the weather uncertainty of a fall outdoor wedding in Saskatchewan. Steven has learned of the accusations. You will need to read the book to find out what happens at the wedding.
The primary investigation concerns the alleged plagiarism. Suspicion is not proof.
As an avid reader and former University English professor Joanne is well suited to assessing literary honesty.
The Legacy is definitely a book that has a murder in the plot. The greatest focus is upon Joanne, Zack and their family. They are thriving and I appreciate the latest updates on their lives in each book of the series.
I was glad the book dealt with literary issues. The last few books in the series had featured the movie industry. I was ready for the series to move to other themes. A book focused on books was welcome.
It is a powerful testament to Gail’s drive to write that she completed this book while in hospital for 9 months, the first four in bed. Fortunately, she has been able to return home and continuing to write. Her spirit is indomitable.
****
** Bowen, Gail – (2000) - Burying Ariel (Second best fiction of 2000); (2002) - The Glass Coffin; (2004) - The Last Good Day; (2007) – The Endless Knot (Second Best Fiction of 2007); (2008) - The Brutal Heart; (2010) - The Nesting Dolls; (2011) - Deadly Appearances; (2012) - Kaleidoscope; (2013) - Murder at the Mendel; (2013) - The Gifted and Q & A; (2015) - 12 Rose Street; Q & A with Gail Bowen on Writing and the Joanne Kilbourn Series; (2016) - What's Left Behind and Heritage Poultry in Saskatchewan Crime Fiction; (2017) - The Winners' Circle; (2018) - Sleuth - Gail Bowen on Writing Mysteries / Gail the Grand Master - (Part I) and (Part II); (2018) - A Darkness of the Heart and Email Exchange with Gail on ADOH; (2020) - The Unlocking Season; (2021) - An Image in the Lake and The Fourth "F" is Forgiveness; (2023) - What's Past is Prologue and Law Matters in What's Past is Prologue
I really like this topic, Bill! Plagiarism is a serious issue in any field in which one's work is published, whether it's writing fiction, sharing research findings, or something else. It's good to see it addressed here. And of course, it's always good to catch up with Joanne, Zack, and the family.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I knew "plagiarism" would be a theme that drew your attention. The war against plagiarism will never end. It is too tempting for too many to copy.
DeleteLegacy indeed!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
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