Well, look at that. Someone was asleep for a second and a whole day slipped by. So we do two for one!

We return to the theme of wolves and people that may take after them, or wolves after us. Although this one is only tangentially related to other wolfiness, it continues the sub-themes and imagery of the whole dang collection so far.

7 – Lykoi Di Korinth / Wolves Of Corinth:

Ancient Greece! Wonder of the world! Peak of Civilization! For a very limited few, anyway. If you’re in old Korinth trying to write plays and organize actors, it’s a whole other matter entirely.

A diverse cast of characters studs this murder mystery by the sea, which takes place during a drama festival in the shady port city. As the contest proceeds, an old playwright’s former friends and accomplices start turning up dead in gruesome ways. With the city as a whole losing its grip, who is doing this and why?

This story is the first in Volume 3: Speak. It is also in Book 1.

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Here we are, at the last of Book 1 and Volume 3. This one is special in its personal and cultural connection to Papua New Guinea (and it’s pretty long).

9 – The Trials Of Tiri The Fool:

New Guinea has countless myths and tales but only told orally. One of the recurring characters is Iba-Tiri (or other similar names). Not a god or even a hero, he’s a folk figure usually called “The Water Fool.” By coincidence (or not?) that is also the name of my father’s adoptive tribe.

This version of Iba-Tiri foolishly unleashed a curse on himself when he was younger. One that forces him to be silent and not speak, or terrible things will happen. But there is a way out… find and do impossible tasks for people across the island and it will disappear. It will take many years and many sacrifices, but he may succeed.

This story is the last in Book 1, as well as Volume 3.

Tomorrow, something different!

-PB