Almost Criminal

by E.R. Brown

Charming, wealthy Randle Kennedy has a secret: he's British Columbia’s most prolific producer of boutique marijuana. He’s developed strains of B.C. Bud to please the most sophisticated palates and produce any desired effect, from a light contemplative buzz to the most mind-warping stone. His medical varieties offer relief for conditions ranging from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. Come legalization, he'll be the first on the market with marijuana's answer to single-malt Scotch. Until that day, he runs a tight operation with terrorist-cell security.

Tate MacLane is brilliant, miserable, and broke. Since graduating from high school at age 14, he's failed at university, failed to support his family, failed at everything except making a superb caffe latte.

Randle wants a fresh face to front his transactions. Tate desperately needs a mentor and yearns for respect. And money ...

Then there are the bikers, the muscle with the cross-border connections that Randle needs to bring his product to the American market. Soon Tate finds out that it's harder to get out of the business than to get in.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Canada

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1988

About the author

My first novel, Almost Criminal, was nominated for an Edgar Award and shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award. The Japanese rights were recently sold, so it will "soon" be available in Japan, in Japanese!

I live in Vancouver, Canada. My second novel is underway.

Reviews

[Ron S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenager Tate MacLane finds an unlikely father figure in a boutique marijuana producer, and starts improving upon his part time barista's income through involvement in the local grow-op underground economy of Fraser Valley, B.C. With convincing characters and a lack of cartoonish violence, this is a good read for those with an interest in how marijuana cultivation can underpin vast swathes of a community in myriad ways. The teenaged protagonist has the mostly usual problems endemic to the age: family, school, money, unrequited love, making this a good book for young adult and reluctant readers as well.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Harrell
Almost Criminal by E.R Brown
11/5/13


Judging from the cover, you can safely assume that this book is about marijuana. You quickly question is this book as good as it seems? I can say this because I asked myself the same question, as I dove into the book E.R Brown pulled me deeper and deeper. Starting slow, chapter by chapter increasing into a fast paced plot. Eloquently written, this book describes how quickly an innocent person can fall into the marijuana growing and distributing lifestyle. If many teens are drawn in like I was, then they will get a grasp if how the lifestyle is deadly, maybe then they will be less likely to attempt to dabble in those type of things.
I am not sure if the author had any specific purpose to why he wrote this book, possibly just to write a mystery that would captivate the younger audiences. Brown’s greatest strength is in his frequently placed, vivid imagery which he expresses through a diverse vocabulary. For example Randle, the leader of the grow operation described the time when he kicked out his tenants of his apartment as “That’s when I lost it. Grabbed my splitting maul and took the door right out. Put the axe through the stereo and I hauled all their shit out of there and heaved it onto the lawn” (Brown 92). Using many descriptive phrases and adjectives to describe Randle’s rage filled story. This is my first time reading one of Brown’s books but I am very satisfied with his work. One thing I must critique is how slow the start of the story was, after a few chapters I finally became hooked.
Decently sized chapters chock-full of drug deals, risky dealings and even some everyday life situations, Brown wrote a diverse mystery in this one. Every character was described in detail with the use of a wide range of adjectives. Some relatable others were just unique. For an example Brown describes of one of the bikers from the book as “Stubbly temples with big, blurry tats – a horned devil inked above one ear, a chainsaw cutting through a guitar on the other” (Brown 70). Mysterious, thought provoking and ghastly, this book truly keeps you on the balls of your feet. I would definitely recommend this book to a few friends, only to ones who are willing to stick with the slowly unfolding plot.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost Criminal is a fun read, with lots of twists and turns and surprises to keep the reader engaged. I loved it! The characters are a colorful bunch. It’s a gripping story where motorcycle gangs, grow ops and compassion clubs collide. It’s also a coming of age story where Tate the main protagonist gets involved in ‘almost criminal’ activities and E.R Brown keeps us on the edge right to the end. Compassion, sense of family and loyalty are some of the themes that underlie Almost Criminal and gives this crime novel depth. But, it’s not all dark, there’s a wicked sense of humor that makes it a most enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book.

[jennh35 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read! Well written crime story that gives the reader an inside glimpse of the BC drug trade through the eyes of Tate, a brilliant teenage screwup. Loved that it was set in BC. Look forward to reading more from ER Brown.

[Geoff Prophet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing ride from start to finish. Even when real life was calling, it pained me to put down this excellent book. 5 Stars, my favorite book so far this year and after this ride it will be hard to believe something will beat it.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost Criminal sweeps you into Tate's world from the first page. Fantastic read, I highly recommend this novel, you won't want to put it down! Go dive into a world of motorcycle gangs, grow ops, and a brilliant but misguided teenage kid figuring out who he is.

[Robin Spano]

Interesting, original, and fun to read. Intriguing look at the BC drug culture. Recommend.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun interesting read. Marijuana subculture comparison with coffee was great. The release is timely considering the new votes in Colorado and Washington.

[Andrea Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story that is hard to put down. Fast paced and exciting, can't wait to see what's next from E.R. Brown!

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groovy Read! What genre is this? B.C bud fiction/action? lol. It was quite a fun read! It reminded me of Don Winslow's Savages a bit.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating and quite realistic. The characters are well formed, and Tate and Rachel very likable. Whether or not the illegal marijuana industry is accurate the way depicted, what little I know of it sounded plausible. Somewhat a coming of age story combined with a mystery and crimes, I enjoyed this immensely and I would recommend it to any one who wants to read a well-written novel.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read! The end was such a whirlwind that I almost missed it. Not really sure if I would really count this as a mystery novel, more intrigue and and action? I would love to see a movie of this, the whole thing felt really real.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: charming and wealthy Randle Kennedy is a British Columbia marijuana producer. When Tate joins him, he finds it can be dangerous.

[kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

*read for literature of BC class*

[Dwayne Clayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a family has secrets to hide, it is only a matter of time until the secret is revealed. The surprise, then, comes when the secrets are connected.

In E.R. Brown’s novel, Almost Criminal, Tate MacLean is young, smart and has tons of talent but is wasting it as a barista brewing some of the finest gourmet coffee in Wallace, British Columbia. This isn’t where he thought he’d end up. That all changes when Randle Kennedy recognizes all that talent going to waste. Randall recruits Tate to a life of excitement and adventure where he can use his talents—and for the first time in his life—make some serious money.

Fame and fortune has a price and Tate eventually has some big decisions to make.

In the fictional town of Wallace BC, the British Columbia Boutique Marijuana market comes alive in Almost Criminal

Almost Criminal has likable characters, a twisting plot and enough danger to keep your heart racing and your fingers turning the pages.

A great read.

[Neill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate was a high school prodigy who flunked out of University, trained as a barista on Commercial Drive, and was forced to move to a small town east of the Fraser Valley when his mom and sister moved into a home his grandfather had built as part of a failed housing project. He gets a job at the local coffee shop where he meets Randall, an ex-hippy, who deals boutique marijuana around the region and occasionally into the States and Vancouver under the protection of the local bikers. When Tate becomes a driver for him things go well until Randall's deals on the side lead to biker wars, police raids, and multiple problems for all.

[Edwin Battistella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of Breaking Bad. In Almost Criminal, E. R. Brown introduces us to Tate MacLane, a prodigy working as a barista after he gets kicked out of college. Tate is recruited by Canadian marijuana entrepreneur Randle Kennedy, who’s building a business model and client base anticipating legalization. But the business is still criminal and things don’t go smoothly for Tate, who finds selling pot a tougher business than he had anticipated. Almost Criminal is funny and poignant and we come to care about Tate, his family, his sort of girlfriend Rachel, and even Randle and his gang.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get through Ch.1 and 2, trying to understand the environment. Then it picked up quickly and I read 4 or 5 chapters at a time. Tate is a cool kid, would like to find out what becomes of him. I sure hope he finds a different choice of lifestyle. I liked Randal too but with him dead , the next book in this "series" will be pretty different! I look forward to it.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Criminal by E.R. Brown (Dundurn 2013) (Fiction - Mystery). A slacker dropout in British Columbia stumbles into an important position in a marijuana growing enterprise, but he soon finds out that not everyone involved is a "righteous dude." Setting this mystery among growers of B.C. Bud is an interesting hook but the story itself is fairly unimaginative and boring. My rating: 5/10, finished 5/20/14.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect beach read on a sunny Vancouver Sunday. I loved the idea of narrator as 17 year old drop out--- From UBC...still a kid but bright with something to prove. The last few chapters is like something pout of a movie. scary, believable, and a page turner. I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Jamie Wangen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It's a light, fast-paced read and appears to have been well-researched. I learned a lot about Canadian pot growers, the intricacies of barista work, which I respect much more now, and gladiator-style contests to push or be pushed out of an airborn helicopter. (I really hope that doesn't count as a spoiler.)

[Lynette Hague · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this book to read while on a trip to Colorado where interestingly enough, recreational marijuana use becomes legal on 1/1/14. A book about the Canadian marijuana scene is not something I would normally read, but I found the book and it's characters interesting. A very realistic portrayal of how someone could get sucked into criminal activity.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the start of Almost Criminal. Tate is a smart and likeable character you want to follow to the end of this suspenseful, sometimes surprising, always well-written novel. The characters are so real they're warm to the touch. This is a coming-of-age story and then some.

[Margaret Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I couldn't wait to get back to.

[Lori]

didnt finish

[Janeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable read.

[Lee Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. Couldn't quite get into it.