Summer's Idyll

Gutteridge, Don

Literature & Fiction

Oberon Pr

Inklings is divided into three sections. 'Part One: What Was' is centred around the poet's memories of Point Edward, Ontario. His opening poem, 'First Impression', presents a succession of images of river, lake, lilacs and maples that transports the reader to that seminal moment in time where the poet's initial impression of the world was formed. The poems celebrating his early life in that small town are filled with images of boys and girls growing up together, chasing each other and the sun as they pass milestones and approach young adulthood, shimmering in the sunlight. 'Part Two: What Now' contains a celebration of family and friends, some departed, as in 'Nine Years: For Potsy: In Memoriam' where Gutteridge recounts the 'amber/afternoons we spent/on fairways and greens…summers at Cameron Lake spent with a deceased friend'. In 'Allure: Guelph 1960: For Anne', the contrasting visual images of the open—roofed VW, Anne's lemon yellow dress glowing in the sun, red hair floating in the breeze and sky blue eyes as she rolls up to where he?s waiting paints the scene vividly and indelibly in the reader's mind. In 'Puck: For Jeff', the poet paints the picture of a beloved son—in—law, a prankster with impish grin, a jack—in—the—pulpit, characterized by images of Shakespeare's Puck and the sound of Falstaff's hearty laughter which mingle in a man who 'swallow(s) the world in one/gulp'. Part Three is entitled 'Whatever', but hidden in that non—committal word is the title poem and an intensive look at the poetic spark underlying Gutteridge's work. His title work describes the genesis of a poem as 'a tingle/in the brain, a sprout abruptly/unbudded, the beginning/of a word or more precisely/its first singing syllable,/enticed towards a phrase,/and then by some urge/to say the unsayable,/the nub of a poem just/begun, and compelled/with a single—minded surge/to completion'. The reader finds himself blissfully swept up in the poet's tales of youthful adventures and his memories of Point Edward. The poetry sings. The implicit rhythm of his words, the images, colors, depictions of motion, sound—sense pairings, all working together smoothly and fluidly, seemingly defying the poet's declaration of inklings that spring of themselves, that urge themselves out onto the page, words that purr or rage written of themselves. Such seeming contradiction is just a part of the magic to be found within.

Inklings: Poems of the Point and Beyond

Poetry

Black Moss Pr

Bewilderment: A novel of the Great Depression

Borealis Press

God's Geography (Time is the Metaphor)

Brick Books

It’s a steamy June in Toronto, 1836. Lieutenant Marc Edwards has again found himself sitting atop a lit powderkeg in more ways than one. A prominent politician has been assassinated, and in their haste to catch the killer, Marc and his troops are responsible for the death of an innocent local man. Making matters even worse, Marc may have accidentally gotten himself engaged to the wrong woman, while the right woman still won’t answer his letters.In order to track down the real assassin, Edwards joins forces with Constable Cobb of the newly created Toronto police force. Cobb’s methods are somewhat different from Marc’s; and investigations always end up in the local tavern, where it seems everyone knows far too much about Marc’s romantic entanglements.Between keeping track of Cobb, solving the murder, and extricating himself from his accidental engagement, Marc Edwards will be pushed to his limit once more.

Solemn Vows

Genre Fiction

Touchstone

This is the third novel in the action-packed Marc Edwards mysteries, set during the rebellions of 1830s Upper Canada. A follow-up to Turncoat and Solemn Vows.

Vital Secrets

Dubious Allegiance

Upper Canada is on the brink of rebellion and only one man can stop it. TURNCOAT The year is 1836 and Ensign Marc Edwards of His Majesty’s 24th Regiment of Foot is eager to see some action. Unfortunately the regiment has been posted to the colonial backwater of Toronto, Upper Canada, where there doesn’t seem to be much chance for glory. But the local population is openly chafing under British rule and the surrounding countryside turns out to be a hotbed of radicals, Reformers, Yankees, and smugglers. SOLEMN VOWS It’s a steamy June in Toronto, 1836. Lieutenant Marc Edwards has again found himself sitting atop a lit powder keg in more ways than one. A prominent politician has been assassinated, and in their haste to catch the killer, Marc and his troops are responsible for the death of an innocent local man. VITAL SECRETS By the fall of 1837, Lieutenant Marc Edwards is an old hand at his post. Toronto is seething under the repressive hand of the new government, but the arrival of a touring American theatrical company promises an enjoyable diversion. Marc’s friend Rick Hilliard falls hard for a young actress, but a rival for her affections is murdered, and a disheveled Hilliard is discovered standing over the body holding a bloody sword.

The Rebellion Mysteries: Turncoat, Solemn Vows, Vital Secrets

As the winter cold settles over Upper and Lower Canada, sparks still fly between the provinces. But while the fate of the colony is debated in the British parliament, a more pressing danger threatens the fledgling state: American militia is raiding across the border, intent on annexing the Canadian provinces by any means necessary. Following a battle along the border, a high-ranking American officer is wounded and captured. Brought back to Toronto, he is scheduled to be tried and executed in order to send a message to the encroaching Americans. The American colonel has a penchant for showmanship, and trouble always follows closely in his wake. But the American colonel’s boasts of escape and revenge are cut short when he is poisoned in his cell. All fingers point to Billy McNair, a young Canadian militia officer and the same man who saved the American colonel from dying from his wounds on the battlefield. Into this turmoil steps Marc Edwards, a decorated army officer who has traded his military uniform for a lawyer’s robes. Marc is convinced that the accused is innocent, and so, with the aid of Constable Cobb, he sets forth to track down the killer. But the investigation is nowhere near straightforward. Spies are everywhere, spreading lies and half-truths, and everyone has an agenda, some personal and some political. With time running out and the ever-present threat of attack from a foreign army looming, Marc must rely on his every skill to secure a future not only for his friend, but for his entire country.

Death of a Patriot

As the winter cold settles over Upper and Lower Canada, sparks still fly between the provinces. But while the fate of the colony is debated in the British parliament, a more pressing danger threatens the fledgling state: American militia is raiding across the border, intent on annexing the Canadian provinces by any means necessary. Following a battle along the border, a high-ranking American officer is wounded and captured. Brought back to Toronto, he is scheduled to be tried and executed in order to send a message to the encroaching Americans. The American colonel has a penchant for showmanship, and trouble always follows closely in his wake. But the American colonel’s boasts of escape and revenge are cut short when he is poisoned in his cell. All fingers point to Billy McNair, a young Canadian militia officer and the same man who saved the American colonel from dying from his wounds on the battlefield. Into this turmoil steps Marc Edwards, a decorated army officer who has traded his military uniform for a lawyer’s robes. Marc is convinced that the accused is innocent, and so, with the aid of Constable Cobb, he sets forth to track down the killer.  But the investigation is nowhere near straightforward. Spies are everywhere, spreading lies and half-truths, and everyone has an agenda, some personal and some political. With time running out and the ever-present threat of attack from a foreign army looming, Marc must rely on his every skill to secure a future not only for his friend, but for his entire country.

Death of a Patriot (Marc Edwards Mystery)

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