From sidekick to protagonist

Devyn Lawers takes the lead in new RJ Erskine thriller

Local author RJ Erskine begins his new paranormal thriller, “The Coigreach,” like many other books in the genre: A young, enigmatic traveler has car trouble and settles in a quiet, rural town until he can get back on his feet. Or so he thinks.

Soon, the traveler finds a nearby garden filled with what the author calls “unsettling” sculptures, which are a little too lifelike.

Erksine will hold a release party for “The Coigreach” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at EagleMonk Pub and Brewery.

“Coigreach,” which roughly translates to “stranger” or “foreigner” in Gaelic, finds Devyn Lawers on the road, escaping the everyday drudge of Pennsylvania coal country. Those who have read Erskine’s three other coal country mysteries will recognize Lawers, who was introduced in a previous book as a young teenager with uncanny and unnatural skills in dealing with animals.

“I’ve always been interested in legends, myths and fables,” Erskine said. “On my 60th birthday, my family and I visited the Scottish Highlands.” While there, he discovered St. Fillan, whose deeds are legendary and mythic in Scotland. In addition to having unusual powers over animals, Fillan is said to have developed extraordinary healing powers. Erskine weaves Fillan’s mythic powers throughout the book.

As he makes his way west in a restored International Scout, Lawers discovers a world unlike any other he’s ever encountered. Yes, there are cows and farms, but when he settles with a couple that’s scratching out a living in a land of corporate farming, he’s thrown into a totally unexpected situation.

Adjacent to his newfound home is Robert Allerton Park, which in real life is located in central Illinois. Developed by an eccentric, wealthy entrepreneur, the park is located on a 5,500-acre estate that also serves as a nature preserve, conference center and sculpture garden with unusual animal sculptures. This location is the setting for most of the goings-on in Erskine’s novel.

“‘The Shining’ inspired me, especially the scene in the movie when Nicholson finds himself in the topiary garden,” Erskine said.

As Lawers stumbles across unusual sculptures of a bear mauling a hunter and a gorilla grasping a naked girl, which can be found in the real garden, readers immediately know something irregular is afoot.

While exploring the garden, the young traveler discovers spectral visitors, and the paranormal thriller takes off from there.

“The book has a lot of threads that come together,” Erskine said. “However, it’s the reverse of a typical thriller: There’s no body at the beginning of the book.” Don’t fret, readers will soon hear the menacing music in their heads, warning them that there will be a body or two to find.

Erskine said he was hesitant about the title because it’s difficult to pronounce, sounding somewhat like someone clearing their throat. Ultimately, he decided to use the Gaelic word in keeping with the book’s feel.

In addition to Lawers, Erskine introduces a fellow animal whisperer, a farm woman. Each character recognizes the other’s supernatural skills but is reluctant to discuss them until unusual circumstances begin to envelop the Allerton estate.

“I like to reflect on rural life and what seems normal until it goes into total disarray,” Erskine said. “This is not a typical thriller — I like the challenge of the mundane.”

Erskine’s former career as a veterinarian kept him traveling a lot. In the course of his travels, he came across numerous small businesses sprouting up on the backroads of Michigan. Inspired by Studs Terkel’s “Working,” he’s turning that idea into a coffee table book that will include interviews with unique small business owners and photographs of their enterprises.