Uncle Arthur returns in The Master of Hounds
The Master of Hounds:
Book IV of the Ryland Creek Saga
Winner: Second Place, NY State Outdoor Writers Association 2021
Excellence in Craft Awards (Book)
When I began writing The Master of Hounds (TMOH), I knew I had my hands full.
There were mysteries and “intentional loose ends,” some reaching all the way back to the first novel, The Last Coon Hunter, that had to be revealed as this timeline in the series culminated.
Like Legends with Lill and Andrew, two characters share the protagonist role. TMOH becomes the story of Matthew Ernst, a college student, and his walker coonhound, Monk, share the spotlight with Logan, a young lady Matthew vaguely new from his high school days.
TMOH—whether dealing with one’s past decisions, facing your destiny, and even lessons about life itself—had to hit these themes full stride.
What had to remain was the communion between hunter, hound, and the forests. The Lands of the Painted Post—with its legends, ghost stories, history, and reaching near-character status—was an important element to maintain in TMOH.
TMOH reunites some favorite characters, one being the return of the eccentric Uncle Arthur McCutcheon, and one rather odd fellow, Joe the Storyteller, while also introducing some other new heroes and villains.
TMOH also gives glimpses into the Ryland Creek Saga’s prequel, The Forest Ghost.
Book IV of the Ryland Creek Saga
Winner: Second Place, NY State Outdoor Writers Association 2021
Excellence in Craft Awards (Book)
When I began writing The Master of Hounds (TMOH), I knew I had my hands full.
There were mysteries and “intentional loose ends,” some reaching all the way back to the first novel, The Last Coon Hunter, that had to be revealed as this timeline in the series culminated.
Like Legends with Lill and Andrew, two characters share the protagonist role. TMOH becomes the story of Matthew Ernst, a college student, and his walker coonhound, Monk, share the spotlight with Logan, a young lady Matthew vaguely new from his high school days.
TMOH—whether dealing with one’s past decisions, facing your destiny, and even lessons about life itself—had to hit these themes full stride.
What had to remain was the communion between hunter, hound, and the forests. The Lands of the Painted Post—with its legends, ghost stories, history, and reaching near-character status—was an important element to maintain in TMOH.
TMOH reunites some favorite characters, one being the return of the eccentric Uncle Arthur McCutcheon, and one rather odd fellow, Joe the Storyteller, while also introducing some other new heroes and villains.
TMOH also gives glimpses into the Ryland Creek Saga’s prequel, The Forest Ghost.
Mist and the timber wolf, Solo, in The Master of Hounds.