Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation (The Rowan Gant Investigations Book 1)

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So, it reads like the author knows nothing about contemporary wicca. Returned ebook for a refund. Aug 12, Emily rated it really liked it. I had to create a genre name for this book to adequately define the experience of reading it, as this book is the first of its kind that I've come across. Harm None perfectly marries the paranormal in the sense that the bad guy in this case believes himself to have powers and abilities that surpass that which we can observe with our senses and police procedural novels, yielding a story that was intriguing, exciting and educational all at the same time.

It's urban fantasy but more grounded, sti I had to create a genre name for this book to adequately define the experience of reading it, as this book is the first of its kind that I've come across.

It's urban fantasy but more grounded, still fantastical but without the fantasy element. Rowan does with his faith and religious practices what other characters do with their genetic mutations or supernatural powers. Rowan Gant is a practicing Witch, along with his wife, Felicity. He knows full well the kind of prejudice and yellow journalism that inevitably comes into play whenever the words "cult" and "Satanic" and "ritual murder" get thrown around or mentioned in the paper, and he wants to protect his religion and his community from that kind of scandal. In truth, WitchCraft is about a connection with nature and the surrounding world, about center and balance; Rowan knows that none of those messages will ever see the light of day if people think that all Witches are the same or that all rituals or practices are conducted for the same reason.

When Rowan has a chance to work with Detective Ben Storm, a homicide detective who also happens to be his best friend, to sort out the religiously based details of a horrific crime from the distractors, he jumps at the chance, due to his strong belief in using his powers for the good of the world. He doesn't anticipate that the case will be as bloody or as personally resonant as it is, but once Rowan starts an investigation, he's determined to see it through to the end.

The case quickly becomes complex, and the killer shows no signs of stopping as more murders take place. Rowan has to combat skepticism and outright animosity from less enthusiastic members of the police department while he deals with the increasingly more vivid visuals of the murders. The killer is practicing his skills on each successive victim, and the skills get more horrific as we go along. My favorite part of the book was the unique and different personality that each character possessed.

Even as Rowan and his wife, Felicity, have to deal with a deeply personal tragedy, we see each person in the story receiving and processing the news in their own way. Every character has a unique voice, and even when familiar story elements are used to move the plot along, the characters' individuality is never sacrificed, which is refreshing. This is a great introduction to what promises to be a highly entertaining series. I'm glad I got the chance to get started from the beginning. Apr 19, OpenBookSociety. Rowan is a witch, not a hocus pocus turning you into a frog kind of witch but a practicing Wiccan.

The killer is using Wicca but is not a true Wiccan because the main mantra of their religion is to harm none, which is where the title of the book hails from. Rowan tells Ben what he wants to know and quickly starts offering to help him try to solve the case. Ben, needing all the help he can get gladly accepts. It all becomes a little more personal to Rowan once he gets a gander at the crime scene photos and sees that the victim is one of his former Wiccan students, Ariel.

Then, more bodies start piling up, all apparently practice runs. Rowan uses his extra sense to find clues and is even able to see what happened at some of the murder scenes through the energies that are left there by the victims. But he is disturbed by nightmares all starring Ariel and a little girl version of Ariel asking him why and pleading for him to make it stop.

Once, the puzzle pieces start fitting together Rowan realizes that the last and final victim is going to be a child; they must quickly figure out who the murderer is and race against the clock to save an innocent girl before she is sacrificed in a horrendous ritual, created by a sick individual. Being from the St. Louis area I thought it was different and kind of neat reading a book based in St.

This book did take me longer than I expected to really get into though. Then, after that the story started picking up with them figuring out all the little clues leading up to who the killer is. I ended up really liking this story and would definitely read more of the series. Dec 08, Lorelei rated it it was ok Shelves: I was very excited to find this series as I'm a Pagan as is the author.

But I'm afraid the excitement ends there. I persevered with this book simply because I really wanted it to be good. Unfortunately the writing is far too Wiccan preachy and teachy. The author wastes no opportunity to sell the 'good news' about Wicca. It reminded me of way too many conversations with overly earnest born-again-Wiccans. And earnest it is! There is no edge to this book, which seems to be trying to be a forensic c I was very excited to find this series as I'm a Pagan as is the author.

There is no edge to this book, which seems to be trying to be a forensic crime novel with Wiccan jiggery-pockery rolled in and a splash of proselytism for spice. Rather than creating a recent alternate universe scenario that is common to the urban fantasy genre the author has chosen to set the work in the 'real' world so it becomes quite jarring when his Wiccan protagonist starts experiencing extreme magical experiences I can't bring myself to use the pretentious 'k'.

Dresden works because of the consistant philosophy that any act of faith has power regardless of the religious affiliation. If he's going for crime novel then he needs to pick up the pace and get some help with terminology - there is no 'pre-mortem' it's 'antemortem' when it happens before death.

And I always cringe when the dreaded 'symbology' word is blandished about. It's not a word, really. The word for the science and study of symbols is semiotics and the study of the meaning of symbols is symbolism - it's such a Wiccan jargon thing to do.

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In terms of character, um, yes. I really find it hard to visualise the lead guy. He is so even emotionally - as are most of the characters, it's almost as though they all have Asperger's syndrome. No one has a sense of humour, no one has any issues to work though, they have no character arc and no personal development. All the descriptive detail ridiculous reams of it is saved for redundant scene setup - he really could do with a sharp editor.

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The book really is twice as long as it need be. Really one for the Wiccans, and not really many more. A True Master at Work M R Sellars is one of the gifted writers of paranormal psychological thrillers that encompasses a truth and strength that is seldom found in this genre. Writing strong 3 D characters against a kaleidoscope of depth, emotions and true artistry has created a highly in depth palette to a world that is normal but yet new. His crafty narrative urges the reader forward into the unknown and providing details in covenant and rituals without talking down to his audience.

I am not a fan A True Master at Work M R Sellars is one of the gifted writers of paranormal psychological thrillers that encompasses a truth and strength that is seldom found in this genre. I am not a fan of first person narrative because often the story is let down with an unsatisfactory lead character that brags or emits their thoughts and added unwanted conclusions that tend to overshadow the story. Sellars does not do this, in fact, he is such a polished writer that every thought, meaning and nuance is used to lift the pages to.

The crime sequences and investigations are extremely well handled without being dragged down with over technical talk to show that the writer is copying from a forensic text book which is definitely an added bonus. Every character from the main players down to a fleeting character are so well articulated that it fulfils the reader into a familiar sense of everyone. This is a truly fantastic read enriched by a master of his genre.

I can not think of one fault within its pages and would highly recommend this to any reader who is looking for a deeply satisfying read. Sellars is a master of his craft who deserves to be noticed. Feb 23, graveyardgremlin formerly faeriemyst rated it really liked it Shelves: Since I don't feel like writing a review, I'll just detail what I liked and disliked about the book. How it was written - I'm not the grammar police and don't know everything about it, so it was fine with me. Sometimes I think that the books that have the best grammar are the most unrealistic and holds the reader away from the book and story because of this.

Sellars has a point, how many Since I don't feel like writing a review, I'll just detail what I liked and disliked about the book. Sellars has a point, how many people really speak or think in proper English? Most of the book. The constant use of paleface, squaw, and other white or Native American Indian terms. I get that Rowan and Ben are friends and they use the words as buddies and the author means well I assume , but I think it's unlikely that anyone would say them so much - it felt forced and unrealistic to me.

Some repetitions of phrases, descriptions, etc. Felicity's hair, eyes, temperament, other actions people did, or descriptions of places. The use of the word query. How many people actually use that word? LoL The ending was a bit saccharine and not very likely, but I'll let that pass.

Neutral Some of the descriptions made me a bit queasy but I think it added to the storyline.

Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation

Overall, I was very impressed with the story, will read the next and be on the lookout for others in the series. Nov 01, Lise Quinn rated it really liked it. This is a great book and the first of a really good series. I have read through all of them and I want more! Rowan Gant is the main character, a computer database consultant and a practicing witch. When a crazy preacher starts killing witches, Rowan's friend down at the police department asks him to consult on the case. This is the end of life as Rowan and his wife, Felicity know it and the beginning of a whirlwind of murder, graphic torture, and a pagan point of view.

I myself have been involve This is a great book and the first of a really good series. I myself have been involved in the pagan community for nearly all my life - 35 years or more, the pagan viewpoint is generalized enough to be somewhat correct. The characters are strong, they have depth.

The storyline is fast paced and full of little details, but no so much to slow it down.

The series becomes intensely spectacular, with twists and turns and really unexpected surprises. Apr 16, Awallens rated it it was amazing. As I read more and more mystery series, or rather, started many mystery series, the more I get addicted to them. Rowan Gant and his wife Felicity are practicing Wiccans, and when a young woman whom Rowan taught is found murdered with a Pentacle in blood on the wall, Rowan's friend Ben Storm who is a detective asks him to investigate and help interpret the many Wiccan symbols left behind at the murder.

I As I read more and more mystery series, or rather, started many mystery series, the more I get addicted to them. I loved this book not only for the mystery which is riveting and interesting but also because it's refreshing to see Wicca in such a positive manner, much as the religion is.

Sellars for doing such a stellar representation of "The Craft". Now to find the next book or two Apr 19, Bad Tim rated it liked it. Jul 13, Michele bookloverforever rated it liked it Shelves: Wicca, perversion, cops, murder, psychic abilities Jan 23, Anna rated it it was amazing. Jan 03, Kitty rated it did not like it Shelves: In the introduction to the book, Sellars states that since this book is in the first person view and since nobody is grammatically correct in the way they think, he had a lot of spelling errors and grammatical errors intentionally placed in the book.

Personally, I think that's a load of crap and his editors should have fought against him on this point. The book has an interesting story line but the author just isn't a good writer. There was way too much dialog and a lot of scenes were described In the introduction to the book, Sellars states that since this book is in the first person view and since nobody is grammatically correct in the way they think, he had a lot of spelling errors and grammatical errors intentionally placed in the book. There was way too much dialog and a lot of scenes were described in such detail that really wasn't needed.

All of this distracted me away from the story line. I bought this copy for a friend and I can not speak for her, but I have read this book and loved it. It is a detective novel. It is also a Witch novel. The witches seem like the real deal. They act like real witches.

The magic is a little bit over the top, but only to keep the plot going. I have read all of the books in this series and they are wonderful. One person found this helpful.

Finally an author who can write riveting mystery and get the spiritual facts straight! Plus, the fact that all the talk about the Spiritual beliefs are not talked about in a derogatory manner is definitely a bonus. I have only been able to read the first 3 of the Rowan Gant series but I loved them and recommend them to anyone who will listen: Sellars has a great sense of humor, the stories flow well, the characters are well developed and you will definitely not be bored.

If you continue on with the series, there isn't a whole lot of retelling of stories or character backgrounds like in some books. Hearing the same thing over and over again about a character in each new installment in a series drives me crazy! There are short reminders but half the book isn't being taken up with a character rebuild. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be wowed!

This is the first book by M. Sellars I have read but it is not gping to be the last. I have already ordered the next book in the Rowan Gant Investigation series. Some of the books that are considered occult subject novels can be kind of cheesy but I did not find any cheese in this one. I would highly recommend this series of books because once you start the series you won't be able to put it down. Be smart and order more than the first one because then you won't have to wait for the second one to come in the mail.

They will keep you guessing and wanting more just like a good book should. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Loved the pace of the story. The accuracy and care with the Craft aspects. I'll be looking forward to the next episode. See all 92 reviews.

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East Dane Designer Men's Fashion. Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands. It all started when I was asked to decipher some symbols found at a crime scene. The police needed answers, and as it turns out so did I.

You see, fate being what it is I had a personal connection to the victim when she was still among the living. It gets worse, though I could see—even feel—what was coming next, and it was not going to be good. In fact, it was going to be downright evil…. You can download Apple Books from the App Store. Opening the iTunes Store.

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