Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation [Mass Market Paperback]

M. R. Sellars (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rowan Gant Investigations | Publication Date: May 31, 2000

When a young woman is ritualistically murdered in her Saint Louis apartment with the primary clue being a pentacle scrawled in her own blood, police are quick to dismiss it as a cult killing. Not one for taking things at face value, city homicide detective Ben Storm calls on his long time friend, Rowan Gant- a practicing Witch- for help.

In helping his friend, Rowan discovers that the victim is one of his former pupils. Even worse, the clues that he helps to uncover show that this murder is only a prelude to even more ritualistic bloodletting for dark purposes.

As the body count starts to rise, Rowan is suddenly thrust into an investigation where not only must he help stop a sadistic serial killer, but also must fight the prejudices and suspicions of those his is working with-- including his best friend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Sellars is a wonderful surprise all around." -- The Wiccan - Pagan Times

"Fans of Hamilton and Lackey will want to religiously follow the exploits of Mr. Rowan Gant." -- Harriet Klausner, Under The Covers Book Reviews

"Fans of Mercedes Lackey's defunct Diana Tregarde Mysteries rejoice— a new witch is in town!" -- Melanie C. Duncan, The BookDragon Review

"I was caught between wanting to skip ahead to see what was going to happen, and wanting to savor every passage-- not wanting to miss anything!" -- Kelly von Plonski, Subterranean Books

"Sellars has written a creepy, sinister suspense tale. There is an energy to his storytelling as he builds the suspense. His cast of characters are appealing, complex, some would say eccentric..." -- Lane Wright, About.com Mystery Book Reviews

“HARM NONE is a gripping, carefully plotted mystery that will keep pages turning right to the end.” -- P.J. Nunn, Senior Mystery Reviewer, Charlotte Austin Review

“HARM NONE is a superbly suspenseful thriller... highly recommended.” -- Midwest Book Review

“HARM NONE, is one of the most remarkable books I've read this year. I bow to M.R. Sellars' superior story telling ability!” -- Elizabeth Henze, Murder on the Internet Express

“This book is a page eater. Once you start, you find yourself pushing to the end and rooting for the pagans.” -- Honnha Newberry, Mystic Journeys

About the Author

A member of the ITW (International Thriller Writers) and HWA (Horror Writers Association), M. R. Sellars is a relatively unassuming homebody who, in his own words, considers himself just a "guy with a lot of nightmares and a word processing program." He is the author of the Rowan Gant Investigations series, the Special Agent Constance Mandalay series, as well as other works of thriller and suspense fiction.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Willowtree Press (May 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967822106
• ISBN-13: 978-0967822105
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW), and of the Horror Writers Association (HWA), M. R. Sellars is a relatively unassuming homebody who, in his own words, considers himself just a "guy with a lot of nightmares and a word processing program." Legend has it he started making up stories to entertain a stuffed bear during his single digit years, then began writing them down sometime around his early teens when the growing catalogue of fiction started causing him to experience migraines. Although he had several short stories and newspaper articles published during his early adult life, it wasn't until 2000 that his first full-length novel, Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation, hit bookstore shelves, officially launching the acclaimed paranormal thriller series.

Sellars says that the biggest adjustment he has had to make with his writing career is coping with the time spent away from his family while traveling on promotional tours. Still, he approaches the necessity of public appearances with the same humorously deadpan and satirical wit that he applies to life in general, stating, "As long as I have an RC Cola and a bag of peanuts, I'm all good, Bubba."

All of the current novels in Sellars' continuing Rowan Gant Investigations saga have spent several consecutive weeks on numerous bookstore bestseller lists as well as a consistent showing on the Amazon.com Horror/Occult top 100.

Sellars currently resides in the Midwest with his incomparably amazing wife, equally fantastic daughter, and a feline he describes as, "the competition." At home, when not writing or taking care of the household, he indulges his passions for cooking and hanging out with friends. In order to satisfy his lifelong dream of being a satirical humor columnist for a major metropolitan newspaper, twice each week he removes his glasses, dons blue tights and a red cape, then blogs about the incredibly bizarre world that is his life as a writer, husband, and father. It has been said that his blog articles sometimes blur the line between fiction and reality. To that Sellars responds, "What line?"

M. R. Sellars can be located on the web wherever there is a virtual bar serving virtual single malt Scotch, single barrel bourbon, good Irish whisky, and decent beer. In other words, look for him on the major social networking sites.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, February 3, 2002

By 

Ravencatt (Portsmouth, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation (Mass Market Paperback)

I came looking for a good urban fantasy that got its facts right and found it.

M.R. Sellars does not fall prey to the common failing of so many urban fantasy writers who seem determined to make their main characters into pagan supermen saving the world from all evils (while usually mangling the precepts of the religion and everything else).

The characters are believable (not just the pagan, but I loved the Native American policeman, who was very well done. Being native I notice when I have run into so many books that botch that one). The facts (pagan and police) are correct. The plot is well thought out. The action keeps you turning pages.

I am very impressed with this author and am recommending him to my friends, some of whom are pagan. That's how accurate I feel his portrayal is. This is a book my friends can read without cringing.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breakthrough in cross-genre writing, December 27, 2000

By 

"tess73" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation (Mass Market Paperback)

Well, I have a confession to make. Prior to reading this book, I didn't really believe in miracles. Truthfully. Now, however, I find myself a believer. Truthfully.

M.R. Sellars has indeed created a miracle in his first novel, "Harm None - A Rowan Gant Investigation". Writing a first-class thriller without resorting to cliche and folly is in itself a master accomplishment. But to do so whilst portraying a frequently misunderstood religion successfully (and without pretense), is simply miraculous. On this fine journey, Sellars takes us into the life of Rowan Gant, a practising Witch. A likeable fellow, Rowan becomes involved, via his close friend Ben Storm, in what appears to be a cult murder. What ensues is a story of magick, mystery and human nature. The tale spins you around like a whirlwind, picks you up and throws you onto a rollercoaster ride like no other. The characters are realistic, the technical content is simply incredible, and the ending will indeed surprise and delight you. This book will also scare the pants off you. It did me...and I'm not easily scared!

You must buy this book. As a supernatural thriller, "Harm None" deserves 5 stars. As a cross-genre first novel, "Harm None" is a miracle.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, January 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a truly enjoyable and suspenseful novel. I'm eagerly awaiting Rowan Gant's next case, having devoured this one in one afternoon. Once I started, I just could not put it down.

I really appreciated the positive view of Wicca; this book ranks right up there with Rosemary Edghill's Bast mysteries. One caveat to the nonpagan reader: while the religious details were pretty accurate, keep in mind that this is a work of fiction -- don't assume that all Wiccans possess Rowan's awesome psychic abilities (to Mr. Sellars' credit, he does point out that they took quite a bit of work to develop).

The one and only complaint I have about this book is the frequency of distracting typos breaking up the flow of the writing. For example, "it's" is used as a possessive, and "your" and "you're" are often mixed up. I'd bet this says much more about budget cuts in the publishing industry than it does about the author! Publishers: how about some human proofreaders instead of computer software that can't distinguish context?