Vegetation

$2.99 for Kindle only. A pompous man offends the plant kingdom and finds that the enemy is everywhere he turns.Bertram Luce did a remarkable job concealing the murder of his wife. His story was unshakable, his alibis sound. No human eyes witnessed the atrocity and Luce went on his way, wealthier and more pompous than ever with the success of his crime.The deed might have gone unpunished if not for the wrath of the most dominant and diverse army on the planet. Typically silent witnesses to the atrocities of man, the world of plants this time will rise up collectively to see that justice is served. And Bertram Luce will find his pursuers literally everywhere he turns.When you offend the kingdom of plants, the whole world really is out to get you.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Juniper Bay 1. The ivy came for him first. A common ivy that hung over its pot like the hair of a mythical beast. A tendril dropped onto the back of his satin robe, snaked up over his shoulders, and coiled around his ear. The leaves tickled him. A pointed tip stabbed the tender skin just below the hairline. Startled from the hypnosis of sherry and Proust, Bertram Luce flung himself from the chair. He screamed once, short and sharp, and flung the book to the carpeted floor. He swatted at the back of his head and in doing so, knocked the wine glass to the rug. Sherry soaked into the carpet and a dark, shameful circle appeared. Luce spun in time to see the ivy drawing away. It pulled back like a nimble but shy creature and hung swinging from the pot above. He touched the back of his ear and looked at his fingers. Nothing. Still, he felt a chill around his shoulders. He felt the crawling uneasiness of a man who has been sneaked up on in the quiet and safety of his home. Bertram Luce felt violated. Which was absurd. He had been touched by the stray finger of an unruly house plant. That and probably more sherry than he was accustomed to. He smirked at the idea as he bent for the fallen glass. He moved to set it back on the table, thought about the ugly ring it would leave, carried it out of the sunroom instead. He would soak a cloth with warm water and get at the carpet stain before it set. The house was restful. Only a small lamp illuminated the sunroom and the rest of the house was equally dim. The grandfather clock ticked faithfully from the dining room, marking time. He walked through the living room, slippers silent upon the thick carpet, and did not look behind him. Had he done so, he would have seen three ivy branches coiled in the air like snakes preparing to strike. Tendrils floated dreamily, probing the air and watching him go. Heart-shaped leaves trembled, like something shaken in a dog's mouth. The pot swayed a bit on its knotted rope. The ivy was very agitated tonight.

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