Released on = August 20, 2007, 1:07 pm

Press Release Author = Jack Leathem

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Michael Dawson, a gifted twelve year old, is recruited by an
old woman neighbour, of Romany stock, to help her solve a family mystery.

Press Release Body = Aided by his friend, Maxie and Canis, Michael's strange dog, he
follows a trail from a nearby wood to 17th century war-torn Europe, where the
exploits of a mercenary soldier, from whom the old woman is descended, throws light
on the affair. A connection is made between the mercenary and an ancient sect,
which results in danger, abduction and death before the mystery is solved.

About the Author: A retired civil servant, Jack Leathem lives with his wife Maureen,
in Waringstown, a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. He was educated at
Stranmillis teacher training college and Queen's University, Belfast. He takes an
active role in a local rugby and cricket club, plays golf and enjoys gardening. He
writes poetry, short stories and the occasional longer work when he finds time to do
so.


Excerpt from the book:

\"The logs had crackled gaily when first placed on the fire. Originally gathered
with kindling from the woods behind the cottage, they had been fetched from a
stockpile next a gable wall, where they made a tidy supply for the following winter.
Having sat for two months, and with their sap now dried, they burned well and threw
out good heat. Some of the greener wood smoked a bit, and evidence of down draughts
from the narrow chimney could be seen in the blackened walls and oblong smudges
above the hearth.

The fire had been lit that morning, the first since the ending of spring. Although
it was late May, the recent weather had been unseasonable and the cottage had been
growing colder by the day. The fire had been replenished four times, but at present
it was dying, and where once the wood had burned fiercely red, now it was disfigured
by grey striations as it shed heat and substance. Ash began to form where once
there had been solid matter.\"

-- END

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOK, CONTACT:

Jack Leathem (author)
E-mail: info@authorhouse.co.uk


Blacker's Wood can be ordered from Authorhouse at:

www.authorhouse.co.uk/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~46620.aspx

or from Amazon.co.uk at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackers-Wood-Jack-Leathem/dp/1434324753/ref

Web Site = http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~46620.aspx

Contact Details = Jack Leathem (author)
E-mail: info@authorhouse.co.uk
tel. 0800 197 4150