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Harm None |
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 Harm None:A Rowan Gant Investigation by M.R. Sellars Willow Tree Press 392 pages, May 2000 ISBN 0967822106 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Read our author interview The idea of practicing witches is enough to curl the lips of most police officers, but when homicide detective Ben Storm finds a mutilated victim with a Pentacle scrawled in blood on the wall - he’ll take whatever help he can get. Ben’s friend, Rowan Gant, is a Wiccan, a topic Ben usually avoids. Always ready to help a friend, Rowan accompanies Ben to the crime scene and experiences an immediate sense of trepidation. Indeed, there are many things that point to witchcraft, but something’s not right. The basic Witch’s creed is to "harm none." But whoever killed this woman certainly meant her harm. Worse, the entire scenario suggests that it was only a rehearsal. A few days later, a second victim is found in similar circumstances, convincing Rowan and Ben that they’re dealing with a madman intent on perfecting his craft. Again, the crime scene is filled with information, but few real clues. When yet another victim turns up, Rowan begins to fear that he’s being sucked in to something from which there is no escape. Can he protect his wife and help Ben find the killer without risking his own life and all that he holds dear? Sellars has done a masterful job of addressing stereotypical issues about Wicca and the practice of witchcraft without sounding preachy. The character and relationships of Rowan Gant are skillfully drawn, but lean more toward the intellectual than emotional, perhaps in an attempt to downplay the horrific details. Harm None is a gripping, carefully plotted mystery that will keep pages turning right to the end. |
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