by Thomas Pullyblank
ISBN: 978-0-9833897-0-5
362 pages, softcover
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$21.95
Release date: July 4
Launch event: July 9
French Festival
Cape Vincent, NY
SUNY Professor's second novel explores
legend of the Saint Lawrence River
Thousand Islands is fictional setting for Napoleon's Gold
When historian Tom Flanagan returns to his family's cottage in the Thousand Islands to confront his grief over the loss of his parents and brother, his pursuit to learn more about their accidental deaths leads readers into a tale of international intrigue, spiritual wonder, and a quest for a legendary treasure said to have been lost in the turbulent waters of the Saint Lawrence River. Based on 200 years of upstate New York history, Napoleon's Gold: A Legend of the Saint Lawrence River, is the second novel by Thomas Pullyblank, and has just been released by Square Circle Press. A book launch event is scheduled for July 9 during the French Festival in Cape Vincent, New York.
Set in the beautiful Thousand Islands region of upstate New York, the action-packed mystery is based on actual locations across the region. Pullyblank, a professor of history at the State University College at Oneonta and an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, based his novel on his own personal experience of summer vacations spent among the islands scattered across the Saint Lawrence Seaway. "The characters, locales, and power of the river will be recognizable to anyone who lives there or who has ever visited the area," Pullyblank stated.
Besides Tom Flanagan, two of the major characters from Cornflower's Ghost, the author's debut novel, again play prominent roles in the sequel. They are joined by a group of Flanagan's father's old drinking buddies, each of whom holds a clue to his father's quest for Napoleon's gold. Pullyblank, a lifelong resident of upstate, finds it natural to write about the people and places he knows. "Upstate New York is one of those places that deserves to be written about because of our unique and interesting heritage, and because of the fascinating characteristics of its people." The novel also contains opening scenes set during the events of 9/11, which has a profound effect on the young historian.
The book contains supplemental information atypical of a novel and includes an afterword, an annotated bibliography, and a playlist of songs to accompany the story. "Listening to music on the radio was an important aspect of relaxing with my family on the Saint Lawrence," Pullyblank added. "Readers can gain a better feel for the time period of the story and the region itself by listening to the songs included in the playlist and by reading some of the books and web sites in the bibliography." In addition to the supplemental features of the book, the publisher has added links to the songs on iTunes and some book club discussion notes to the book's web page.
A book launch signing is planned for July 9, 2011 in Cape Vincent, New York, home of the French Festival, an event Pullyblank says is "one of the best small-town parades you'll ever see." Napoleon Bonaparte himself leads the parade through the streets of Cape Vincent. The book signing will take place before and after the French Festival parade at the Buccaneer Motel, 230 North Point Street, in Cape Vincent. In the Thousand Islands region the book can be found at Corbin's River Heritage bookstore in Clayton, New York. The book is also available online through the publisher and other retailers, such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
The book has received excellent advance reviews from academic and cultural historians alike. More details about the novel and where it can be purchased are available through the link below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Thomas Pullyblank was born and raised in rural upstate New York. Having earned degrees in history at the University at Albany and a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston University School of Theology, Pullyblank now teaches history at the SUNY College at Oneonta and serves as a United Methodist pastor near Cooperstown, New York. He lives on a small working farm with his wife and son. This is his second novel. He is currently working on a third upstate New York historical mystery featuring Tom Flanagan.
Order online, read advance reviews & chapter previews