Brock's Agent, an historical novel of the War of 1812, by Tom Taylor

Brock's Agent by Tom Taylor
Tom Taylor, who's been to a few of my workshops, has done an outstanding job promoting his historical novel, Brock's Agent. He's been tirelessly giving readings and book signings across Ontario.


What's more, in a round-up of outstanding nonfiction of 2011, Andrew Cohen of the Ottawa Citizen went out of his way to also highlight three novels. Number one on that list was Brock's Agent, which Cohen describes as "historical fiction of breathtaking intensity." (See here.)


Moreover, Tom wrote an article for the Citizen about the War of 1812 (which is the subject of his novel. Naturally, the author bio mentions that he's the author of Brock's Agent.


Best of all, the Globe & Mail gave Brock's Agent this outstanding review:

Tom Taylor

“The War of 1812 is one of the signal events in Canadian history, so it’s somewhat surprising it hasn’t generated more fiction. That deficit is partially remedied in Brock’s Agent, a propulsive historical novel that begins on the eve of that war, as a chest- thumping expansionist U.S. sees easy pickings in the north and yet another chance to tweak the noses of the British.


Young Jonathan Westlake is returning to York from a fur-trading expedition when he’s forced to flee a possible murder charge. He joins the British army as a spy for Isaac Brock, who was responsible for the defence of Canada. The testing of loyalties, the struggle for continental supremacy, and a search for love and furs are at the center of this ripping yarn.”


Naturally, this favorable notice led to a jump in sales. If you want to check out Brock's Agent for yourself, it's available at Chapters/Indigo stores and on-line here.


See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.