E. Michael HelmsAnmeldelser

One of my favorite genres is mystery. It's just lately that I started to like horror mysteries. I'd prefer reading them than watching horror movies. My imagination is too active for my liking and I'd end up imagining seeing those scary creatures in the room. But if I am familiar with the actors who are in the horror movie, it would seem like the movie would not be that scary anymore. I don't know if that's weird but that's how I see it.

I got this from the author. He reached out to me April of last year through this blog and asked if I would want to review his book. Yes. It seemed like that was a lifetime ago. Time flies too past and as always, I'm playing catch up with my reviews.

This mystery story at first seemed like not really ghost related. Like Mac McClellan, I too was skeptical at first. I too thought the mysterious deaths were done by someone alive and breathing and not by a ghost. How the events had turned out in the story was very interesting and curious. It's enough to make the hair on my arms stand on end.

The mix of a ghost story and a series of murders is very fantastic. The addition of the paranormal element into the story tends to draw me in ever more. Who can resist a ghost purported to be on a killing spree? Really curious, right? Good thing, we have Mac, as skeptical as any PI could be. Of course, in his line of work, he can't just accept or take anyone's word for it. Evidence is important and it had to be as tangible as possible. More so, it should stand scrutiny and probe.

Like the rest of the small towns where everybody tends to know everybody, that's what's going on in this story also. Everyone seems to be connected to one another. And that connection, that somehow contributed to how the case of the murders were solved. Of course, we can't discount Mac's PI prowess and skills.

I just really like how the murders were resolved. It wasn't predictable but yet you can't help but suspect that there's a connection between some of the characters in this story. Now, I am curious what the other previous books were about. What were the previous adventures of Mac? Did they all had a sprinkling of the supernatural?

I give the book 4/5 old school tape recorders. Like these old relics of the past, a good old detective work goes a long way. And that there are no secrets that will stay hidden. Eventually they all come out into the open. Just like the very old murder in this story, even if it was after three long decades, finally it was resolved. Even if closure was delayed, at least that body and mystery could now be put to rest. I really enjoyed this book. The suspense of how dead bodies just fall one after the other with no obvious reason or suspect. I was glued and I didn't let go of the book until the story was over. It's been a while since I last read mystery stories like this. I have missed this. Thank you again, E. Michael Helms for the book copy. What's next for Mac?

By the way, I love that Henry is part of this story. Having loyal and cute pets in a story always adds a certain element to the story. Plus, I love dogs. The love and hate relationship between Sheriff Pickron and Mac is also very amusing. It seems like Mac tests the sheriff's very limited patience and knows how to push the wrong buttons of the sheriff. I feel sorry for the sheriff, yet in a way felt he deserves it also.

And I just love this quote. I am hoping I could use this sentence in real life. But it would go like this. "What right has my asthmatic lungs have to tell your liver what to do?" I don't smoke and I don't drink, so my only right to claim for authenticity to the statement is my having hereditary asthma.

What right does my liver have to tell your lungs what to do?

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive.
- E. Michael Helms, Deadly Spirits -

Deadly Ruse is Book II of the Mac McClellan Mystery series. These novels will stand alone.

What do a blown up boat, a crashed airplane, sparkling “ice” and drugs have in common…Mac McClellan.

Mac is a former Marine and after helping to solve a crime in Deadly Catch, Book I, he has decided to become a Private Investigator.

Kate is his girlfriend. On a date with Mac, a ghost enters her life. She is sure her ex boyfriend has risen from the dead. She doesn’t realize how lucky she was to have escaped when she did.

The case of Dead Man Walking will be Mac’s introduction to becoming a private investigator. It is not a dream, but more like a nightmare come back to haunt Kate and it could have deadly consequences..

Mac lives in a camper in the Florida Panhandle. Shades of Rockford Files come to mind and I am very familiar with the territory. I love when the characters cross the same bridges and drive the same streets I have traveled.

Mac plows through interviews, quickly getting the hang of it, learning a little finesse one interview at a time.

Deadly Ruse is a twisted web of lies and deceit. We have a lot of suspects and intrigue. E Micheal Helms keeps the mystery and suspense building as we travel the Gulf Coast looking for answers. The mystery stretches from Georgia, through Florida and into South America. Who is alive? Who is dead? And why? I did need a flow chart to help me separate the good from the bad, but it all comes together in the end.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deadly Ruse by E Michael Helms.

Mac McClellan is a war veteran and practicing Private Investigator. He has recently been dragged along to do some investigating with the Palmetto Paranormal Society with his girlfriend Kate. When two subsequent paranormal investigations end with the mysterious death of two investigators, Mac knows something is up; these are more than unfortunate accidents. After he is officially hired to investigate one of the deaths, Mac begins to notice several things that aren't sitting right in town: a previous insurance fraud case that is continuously being harassed, generous donations to a local college from people who do not have the money to give, a separate PI that is tailing him, a ghostly recording that has gone missing, several more near-deaths and a woman in the Paranormal Society who isn't who she says she is. Now, it's up to Mac to piece the clues together before more people die and to decide whether the forces at play are of the normal or paranormal variety.

This book immediately starts with action and really does not stop until the end. After reading the first few pages, I realized that this book was part of a series, however; I was filled in pretty quickly and I didn't feel like I really needed the rest of the books in order to understand everything. It might have been helpful to understand a little more about Mac's history, but that's about it. I was really impressed with the layers of mystery and was wondering to the end about how they all fit together. I also really enjoyed the incorporation of the paranormal; the investigative techniques were really interesting and Mac's skepticism provided a nice contrast. Mac's character was intriguing as well, at first he seemed very typical and one dimensional, but as the story progressed, I learned more of his true character and really enjoyed his interaction with people and especially his dog. Overall, this seems like a great mystery series and I would love to read more of Mac!

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

This series definitely is written from a man's point of view but that doesn't mean females won't be glued to the pages. It is one you'll want to read in one sitting, if possible, or return to quickly.
This is the first book I have read in this series but I have added the others to the top of my TBR pile.
I found the situations reminiscent of John W Mefford's series, and I was going to say they were less violent and bloody, but not to give anything away, the body count rises drastically as we get closer to the end.

This book has a complicated plot, as who is looking into what changes as you continue reading.
Holding it all together is a search for ghosts, or spirits, or some sort of paranormal connection.
Mac knows there is danger in snooping, usually among the living, but mother nature plays a role, as do some things beyond Mac's normal comprehension. And figuring out how women think is still beyond his understanding.

There is a current of sexual tension running beneath the plot, but overall this is a clean read.
The characters are developed enough that the reader can connect and cares about certain ones.
Although I figured out some of the motives and means, there was enough potential for doubt that I was never bored.

I accepted a copy of this book for honest review.

Smooth storytelling, great voice, compelling characters, fascinating plot twists, evocative locations and a perfect balance between resolution and reality make E. Michael Helms’ Deadly Spirits a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining read. It’s the fourth mystery in a series, but it stands alone perfectly, with just enough backstory, naturally told, to create depth and sketch relationships without ever interfering with the story. Mac McClellan is an enjoyably flawed protagonist, loyal, tempted and human. Kate (girlfriend) and Henry (dog) give him much-needed anchors and assistance. Local cops inspire occasional reluctant loyalty. Local employer inspires amusing dialog. And local ghosts… well, Mac really doesn’t believe in ghosts.

The voices, whether serious or fun, are always pitch-perfect. A flask of Scotch offer Mac “spirits I could count on.” And the computer presents chances to study suspects online in a story that’s as thoroughly up-to-date as it is good traditional fiction. The setting is Florida, where a storm of characters and events might cause as much trouble as the weather. But a link to Oregon, and a very real sense of time’s passage, warfare’s scars, and love’s loyalties, make it a tale for all places and all readers who enjoy mystery. The Mac McClellan books are a great series (I’ve read two so far), and this one would be a great place to start.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.

Mac and Kate are back in Deadly Spirits and this time we will be hanging out with the Palmetto Paranormal Society investigating the haunted Navarro Hotel.

I haven’t met Mac in person…yet, but seeing as how he hangs around the Florida Panhandle, it may happen. His investigations lead to danger and mayhem. His personality and the fact that he lives in a trailer always makes me think of the Rockford Files and Magnum PI. He’s a bit old fashioned where it really matters, loyal and trustworthy. Even a bit of a prude…He even has a Dobie, my favorite breed of dog. So much is familiar to me, marinas, woods, fire towers, lighthouses, hauntings…

Action and mystery abound and Mac is on the case. E Michael Helms always includes some humor and I do love chuckles with my murder.

The downside to his job, he has a hard time collecting payment before his clients kick the bucket.

Mac has a hard time taking the whole ghost thing seriously, until…the scream. I am a skeptic too. As they walk around with their ghostly equipment and asking the spirits questions, I would be hard put not to crack up laughing.

I loved everything about Deadly Spirits by E Michael Helms. He has included a lot of extras besides the mystery…a critter to fall in love with, a dash of the psychotic and a pinch of the paranormal…a recipe for success.

I love Mac and this is my favorite adventure…so far. Michael has brought him a long way, making him more complex in his simplicity. I can hardly wait for more!

It’s New Year’s Eve 2016 and between football and the year end fireworks, I cannot quit reading.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deadly Spirits by E Michael Helms.

From perfect first line to satisfying conclusion, E. Michael Helms’ Deadly Catch is a well-plotted mystery written with a perfect sense for character, dialog and place. The author peoples his small town in the Florida panhandle with a convincing cast of characters, nicely avoiding confusion for the reader, and narrating their actions in the convincing voice of a combat veteran, recently retired from the Marines. This protagonist takes believable risks, becomes appropriately angry, and copes with admirable perseverance as the town seems to turn against him. Readers together with the character try to fathom which voice is honest and which is false as the plot twists and turns. Meanwhile the protagonist might fall in with the place or with one of its inhabitants… might settle… might dream.

Deadly Catch tells of a hauntingly real and convincingly haunted protagonist who catches a dead body when he goes fishing. Suspicions abound. Good guys and bad are convincingly complex, while the author nicely avoids the stereotyping of “military men” in creating a protagonist who’s not too haunted, not too wounded, and not too dark. I really enjoyed the hopeful feel of this novel and I’d love to read more.

I won a signed copy and I offer my honest review.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fantastic mystery, filled with intrigue. What made the book even more enjoyable for me, much to my surprise, is that it is based in the area I currently live in, in FL! This author either has lived here or sure did his homework, because everything was described to a tee! If you're looking for a mystery that will grab your attention and have you anticipating what could possibly coming next, this book is for you. I would definitely recommend it and enjoyed in thoroughly. Bravo!!!

Everything about Deadly Catch by E Michael Helms talks to me, from the cover to the title to the setting on the US Gulf Coast to the murder mystery inside.

Mac McClellan had retired from the military and as he sat in the boat, fishing, and thinking, is this what my life will be like now…

“Thought I’d finally hooked my ‘gator’ trout…”

Kate, his love interest, works at the marina and knows her fishing.

Sheriff Bo, what other name would he have in the south, is a bully with a bad attitude. I can see him now, smirking, drawing his own conclusions before the evidence is even collected.

In a small town, everyone knows everyone and all their business, but Mac’s peeps love him and stand by him.

Small fishing villages, oysters, romance, lighthouses, gators, fried green tomatoes, drugs, corruption, murder and mystery are only a few of the things this story will share. I love that E Michael Helms mentions the stingray shuffle. I also have done the dance and anyone who has visited the Gulf Coast will know what he means. It’s those small details that make me want more of Mac.

I loved riding the waves with him, feeling the warm sun on my face, the wind caressing my body, having cocktails at the Green Parrot. Actually, I believe I live this life, so it’s very easy to walk in his shoes, except when it comes to murder. I haven’t hooked a dead body…yet.

I thought I knew where this story was going, but planned on enjoying it anyway. Just because it’s predictable, doesn’t mean it can’t be a great read. I figured this was a cozy mystery, fun and easy reading. BUT…E Michael Helms caught me offguard when I was only a quarter of the way in. The direction of the story changed and it isn’t so cozy any more.

Summer is the perfect time to read this fantastic mystery series…so come one…let’s take a ride on Highway 98. Just follow the dead bodies…

I received a copy of Deadly Catch from E Michael Helms in return for an honest review.

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Everything about Michael and Mac speaks to me. We like a lot of the same things and I am eager to get this adventure on the ‘road’.

Mac reminds me of Tom Selleck in Jesse Stone and Magnum PI. He’s not the perfect hero, but he gets the job done. I don’t mind a flawed character, in fact, it makes him seem real to me.

I’m glad that he considers the Florida Panhandle the ‘Forgotten Coast.’ I love it here.

A visit for Mac turned into a move and it was his good fortune to meet Kate, a feisty, fun gal who won his heart. His managerial tone of voice rang familiar to me. I have one of those at home.

Michael Helms jumped right into the mystery Mac is hired to solve, when the professor of archaeology at Florida State University is murdered. I think we may be going on a treasure hunt.
As the bodies mount, greed raises its ugly head. Is anybody telling the truth…about anything?

I love the fun and lively banter between Mac and Kate. Romance and mystery seem to go hand and hand for me and Michael Helms has a good supply of that. Their personalities shine through making me want more of them. The location is familiar to me and adds a little something extra to the story. I loved tromping through the ditches and climbing trees with Mac. There was so much going on, I had to wait for the package to be wrapped up for me. I love when I can’t figure everything out for myself. A perfect read the season.

I received a copy of Deadly Dunes by E Michael Helms in return for an honest review.

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Of Blood and Brothers: Book One (E.Michael Helms)


In 1927 Calvin Hogue, a new reporter is on assignment to cover the Malburn family reunion. There he learns two of the brothers fought on opposite sides of the civil war. He interviews both of the brothers Daniel and Elijah. The family is from the panhandle of Florida and after the war problems arise and brothers are divided.

He finds out that Elijah , while working the salt mines is taken prisoner and forced to work for the Union. It is not an easy task for him, since he has to invade territory that was once his home.

Well written, with graphic detail, told from three points of view, the reader gets the actual feel of what it was like during that era and in the war. Book one leaves off with the reader wanting to know more, and it does have Chapter one of Book two at the end. I look forward to reading more from E. Michael Helms.

Mac McClellan is a retired Marine. He plans on a relaxing fishing vacation in Florida, and he end up with a catch. But at the other end of his line is not a fish, it is a dead body. Next thing he knows a bag of marijuana is found on his rental boat and he is now the number one suspect in a murder.

With the help if his new friend Kate Bell who works at the local marina, they are determined to clear his name and solve this mystery.

A fantastic murder/mystery with twists and turns. I have read Of Blood and Brothers: BOOK ONEand really enjoyed it. When I got the chance to read E. Michael Helms new book Deadly Catch: A Mac McClellan Mystery I could not pass up the opportunity, I was not disappointed. A great all night read!

Of Blood and Brothers: Book Two by E. Michael Helms

Calvin Hogue, a writer is writing the story of Daniel and Elijah Malburn, brothers who fought on opposites sides of the civil war. A well written historical piece told through the voice of each character. The story shows how families were torn apart during the war, brought back together, of love and loss.

I liked how history of the war was woven into a fiction story. The writing was very good, I actually had a feel of what it was like to live during that time period and I could relate to, and understand how each person felt.

Historical and Civil War readers should greatly enjoy this fast paced page Turner

The Private War of Corporal Henson by E. Michael Helms

U.S Marie Corporal Nathan Henson was in the Vietnam War. But he is haunted by gruesome memories daily, and suffering from PTSD. He decides to join a support group with other Vets. There he meets; Dan "Doc" Matthews facing his problems with addiction, Vic Guerino Army fighter pilot trying to cope with his "grounded" life and Rene Bourdeaux, a paranoid loner rebelling against society.

A well written story of life after the war. Vivid details with memories on the battle field, gruesome and heartbreaking. Each person copes in their own self destructive ways, just wanting inner peace and the ghosts of the past to vanish forever. E. Michael Helms knows how to grab your attention and keep you engrossed and wanting to read more. I could not put it down. The Private War of Corporal Henson left an impression that will stay with me for a long time. I strongly recommend to readers of all genres

Mac's (McClellan) girlfriend Kate, thinks she sees her (previous) boy friend Wes. But Wes allegedly died twelve years prior in a boating accident. Mac is not so sure, he travels to Texas to unravel this mystery.

Once there he uncovers a diamond smuggling ring, people end up dead and this "mysterious sighting" turns into something much bigger than Mac anticipated. Mac begins to wonder if Kate has any ties to this crime, it all seems to revolves around her former friends.

A fast paced thrilling murder mystery. I really liked Mac, a tough former marine. The story is original, with twist, turns, secrets and surprises.I was at the edge of my seat, anticipating the next surprise. I feel that murder/mystery/suspense lovers will enjoy Deadly Ruse: A Mac McClellan Mystery by E. Michael Helms

Mac and his girlfriend, Kate, are back at it in this third book of the Mac McClellan series. Single mom, Jessie, hires him to investigate her archaeologist brother’s death. She didn’t believe it was suicide as the authorities suggested. He had too much to live for. Then Jessie is killed in an accident. It all seems a little too coincidental to Mac. Before she died, Jessie had managed to get a lot of information to Mac about Jacob’s findings. But what does he do now without a paying client? Move forward, of course.

Jacob had managed to find an antiquated map believed to be drawn during the exploration of Hernando de Soto and his men in the sixteenth century. It pointed to a current place of Five Mile Island on the coast of Florida. In present day, the place just happens to be where a brand new resort is scheduled to be built. Big money and powerful companies do not welcome any hindrance to their profitmaking resort.

This was an engrossing novel with many thrilling twists. However, I’m a stickler for ‘real’ or plausible situations within fiction. Unless I missed it, there was no indicator of how Jacob had obtained the map. I know he’s an archeologist, but a little more detail into how he managed to come upon a sixteenth century map would have more fully fleshed out part of this novel’s plot. I did enjoy the characters, especially the banter between Mac and Kate. The dialogue was wonderful even by the secondary characters. This is the third in the Mac McClellan series. He was introduced to us in Deadly Catch as a former US Marine. In Deadly Ruse, he became a PI working for Frank Hightower of Hightower Investigations. Rating: 4 out of 5.

Freshly retired former Marine, Mac McClellan, just wanted some time to himself to drink, fish, and generally make the most of his return to bachelorhood. Instead he catches far more than he'd bargained for.

Set somewhere in the Florida panhandle, this mystery offers a pretty straightforward story centering around murder, corruption, and the illicit drug trade -- along with two well-to-do families whose lives are curiously intertwined. It's not so much a whodunit as it is an unraveling of a small community’s connections and history. The reader follows Mac's singular point of view--joining him in being the outsider trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together, and who can be trusted not to shoot him in the back.

Helm's first book in the series offers an every-man sort of hero who comes equipped with an advantageous skill set, but no real experience with playing detective/private investigator. In that sense it's easy to stay convincingly in Mac's shoes as he both meets with success and bungles his efforts in fairly equal measure. The story’s strengths are in its rapid pacing and snappy, realistic dialogue. The author’s obvious competency aids in conveying more intricate details in the setting and Mac’s military experience—as well as, I suspect, an authentic passion for fishing. There’s even a bit of a romantic angle, though it’s far from the focus of the plot.

I’ll admit up front that, while I read widely, I’m not well versed in the mystery genre. I suspect the majority of similar books I've read would be more closely categorized as thrillers. As a result, this reader went in expecting a twist to the story that was never really meant to be there. There were some weak adverbs here and there, and I sometimes wished for fuller physical descriptions in certain characters, but overall this comes out of the chute as a solid and plot-driven first go at fiction. I hope to see a strengthening in Mac’s characterization as the series progresses.

Have you ever seen a ghost? Well, according to Mac’s girlfriend, Kate Bell, it wasn’t a ghost. She really saw her ex-boyfriend, Wes Harrison, who has supposedly been dead for twelve years. At first Mac tries to reason with her – maybe it was just someone who resembled Wes — but she was sure it was Wes. The bodies were never found for Wes and two of his buddies who’d been in a boating accident. Mac McClellan agrees to check into it. He has a couple of contacts with the police. He is a retired Marine who began working for Frank Hightower (Kate’s Uncle) of Hightower Investigations. He enrolled in an online certified PI training institute to become a licensed investigator under Frank. Their home is in the Florida panhandle, but the investigation takes Mac to an orphanage in Texas where they begin to unravel Wes and his buddies. In the meantime, Kate began checking into some stuff she kept belonging to Wes. She finds diamonds; some are uncut. The more they dig into his past, the more complicated matters get – and the more dangerous. Kate is involved in a car accident – except it wasn’t really an accident. After someone takes a shot at Mac, he talks Kate into leaving until the mystery is solved.

This is second in the series following Deadly Catch. This can be read as a standalone. I didn’t feel I was missing any information and I’ve not read Deadly Catch yet. I liked Mac’s humor and I liked watching him ‘grow’ into his PI role. The author gives enough of a backstory that you feel like you know Mac. I didn’t, however, feel any closeness to Kate. It’s not that I didn’t like her; I just didn’t feel I knew her as well. The twists in the story become a little complicated. The pacing is great in the first half and then again at the end as it all ties well together. I rated Deadly Ruse at 3.5 out of 5.

This is the 3rd of his books I've read, 2nd in this series.
Helms has a talent that allows him to delve into a subject and bring it and its characters to life. The reader feels as tho they are a sideline participant, feeling the raw emotions, smelling the smoke of the fires, suffering from the hunger, the cold, and appreciating the ties of family bonds. The language of the times and the vernacular of the area flow easily from his mind to paper!

You don't have to be a Civil War afficiando to appreciate this series. Novels perhaps...but you know that somewhere at some point the storyline in these books could be / must be part of a bigger reality.

Helms has yet another hit here with Deadly Catch. I've been lucky enough to read PROUD BASTARD (vietnam) and also OF BLOOD AND BROTHERS - i'm on book #2 (civil war).
What kinda amazes me is the authors ability to write equally well in each one even tho the subjects are so varied....

Others have given a synopsis so i will refrain. I will say tho that no matter how old one is, or what your plans may be, there are times when life gets in the way of living!
ANY book of his that you can get your hands on, is well worth the time it takes to read. The term 'page-turner' fits his writing style to a T.

Sheri's review
Sep 29, 13

5 of 5 stars

Read from September 27 to 29, 2013

Deadly Catch: A Mac McClellan Mystery (E. Michael Helms)

Mac McClellan is a retired Marine. He plans on a relaxing fishing vacation in Florida, and he end up with a catch. But at the other end of his line is not a fish, it is a dead body. Next thing he knows a bag of marijuana is found on his rental boat and he is now the number one suspect in a murder.

With the help if his new friend Kate Bell who works at the local marina, they are determined to clear his name and solve this mystery.

A fantastic murder/mystery with twists and turns. I have read Of Blood and Brothers: BOOK ONEand really enjoyed it. When I got the chance to read E. Michael Helms new book Deadly Catch: A Mac McClellan Mystery I could not pass up the opportunity, I was not disappointed. A great all night read!

Of Blood And Brothers: Book One

E. Michael Helms
Koehler Books (2013)
ISBN 9781938467516
Reviewed by F.T. Donereau for RebeccasReads (6/13)

Perhaps the greatest feat achieved by E. Michael Helms in his novel on the Civil War, "Of Blood And Brothers," is the authenticity of the voices: they ring southern and direct, as if they were alive today, telling their story to you at a backyard barbecue, or around a pot bellied stove in some quaint kitchen. The premise of the books confessional tale is the delving into a family saga by a cub reporter, Calvin Hogue. He is sent by his boss to interview brothers Daniel and Elijah Malburn. Helms manages to capture the feel of a reporters way in 1927; you can truly sense the era and the person in reporter Hogue. And this is only the jumping off point. The story really is of the Civil War and its aftermath, the hell the brothers and the Malburn clan suffer because of this bloody, incestuous calamity.

Certainly the other great gift E. Michael Helms brings to the table is that he himself is a veteran, a former U.S. Marine who served combat in Vietnam. Is it his experience with war, or his ability as a scribe, that brings this historical work of fiction alive on the page? It would be impossible to say. Thankfully, it is unnecessary to try. The action on the fields of battle are rendered faultlessly; you do not feel you are being fed some movie makers idea of conflict and death. The language is plain, colloquial. The taste is of people, not Hollywood's cut from the mold presentation of soldiers. The home life rendered here stands alive as well, real and pulsing, ringing with truth. A soldier perhaps could bring forth one aspect but not the other. A writer who happens to have once been a soldier, can do both. Mr. Helms delivers the full package.

We all know war is hell. It would be foolish though, not to admit we have a fascination with it. However, too few who set out to depict it delve into the full ramifications. "Of Blood And Brothers" lets you see deep into the bone of those afflicted by combat. The Civil War itself famously pitted brother against brother, all but tearing a nation asunder. By focusing on a family, on two brothers, Helms is able to get down into the horror of what occurs while battles rage, to get at what lingers long after, what carves away at the men and women who have suffered through it.

Thankfully our author keeps his prose steady to the wall; he does not indulge in flowery sentiment. He lays the story down and lets it tell itself. He brings it fully alive, most often in the narrative flow of the singular voice of Daniel Malburn.

Here, as an example, is Daniel's voice:

Daniel scraped his shoes on a woven rope mat in front of the stoop, then opened the unlocked door and stepped inside. “Ain't no telling when this rain'll let up. No sense trying the road to Bennet in this gullywasher." He turned and motioned to me. "Come on in and sit a spell.”

All is straight language here, but for the small use of "gullywasher" and "sit a spell." These turns of phrases, employed as they are, are enough, and not too much, all at once. Such writing allows the taste of a place and an era, without overselling the mood. This passage takes place at the beginning of the book. I assure you the essence of Daniel, his folksy southernisms, his charm and directness, survives throughout. His voice remains alive. His telling of things, the style of the man remembering, the way in which he imprints all, brings each character wholly to life.

There is death in this story, senseless and true. There is honor and forthrightness too. You will also find a love story of a kind. The Malburn brother's hearts each go in the same direction. The ladies name is Annie Gainer. You will know her and all she brings forth. You will bear witness to the joys, pains and wonders of the fast moving world realized between these covers. The brother's battles will sit with you as your own. Really, more than a single war, "Of Blood And Brothers" speaks of war all the time.

Gracefully, it allows for redemption, for reconciliation. Full lives are lived here, tragically and happily. I implore you, take this novel and read it, and allow it to come alive inside you.