This book consists of three novellas connected by time place and some characters.
The first novella, Smew, written in 2006 is prophetic in that it identifies the source of H5N1
virus and follows it's infectivity from bird to human and then terrifyingly human to human.
It shows the care necessary in the early stages of an epidemic and the response of a stricken community. It shows the way news can be manipulated by the press, but also the care and concern of the hospital staff, and the private lives of some of people involved. It is engaging and very topical.
A cast of Shadows is a story of tragedy and brutality in a setting of an immigrant community in Amagansett, NY. The story highlights a strong and capable Black emergency room physician who manages a catastrophic situation with grace and humor. The story ends with surprising twists and is a real page turner.'
The third novella, Tempered Steel, tells the story of a demented fisherman and his drive to get revenge. It shows that cooperation among police, coastguard and dedicated fishermen
can get results, even if there are some slip ups along the way. A fun read.
About the Author: John Martin Aronian lll, MD, practiced general and transplant surgery at The New York and Cornell Medical Center until the year 2000. He and his wife, Dianne, also a physician, resided in Manhattan and had admitting privileges and teaching responsibilities at the hospital and medical school.
After 30 years of practice Dr John retired to upper Westchester County in New York State where he pursued his many interests. Fishing had been his passion since boyhood and he was able to enjoy that in many forms and places. Using his surgical skills, he tied thousands of flies according to the places he visited and the varieties of fish in the waters. He began to write, at first about adventures had while building a home in Belize, and giving medical advice and supplies to the locals in that third world environment. Later, because family lived in Montauk, his imagination moved to this popular location. He was always a voracious reader and he began writing the 'Montauk Trilogy' in 2006, little suspecting that a pandemic would occur here and now. Looking back, his writing seems prophetic. Because he had had some ties with the Ecuadorian community, a story about the immigrant experience was natural. This again is a saga which continues to this day. The third novella in the Trilogy, stems from the many fishermen he has met over the years and the unfortunate hold that drug abuse has in our country.
Love of nature, especially birds and gardening were key ingredients in his retirement repertoire. As well as sharing the bounty from his garden, he studied and purveyed fine wine. Generous and entertaining, he celebrated every day with family and friends. His death was untimely and unexpected but he led a full and happy life. This nature is reflected in his writing.