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Tag: The First Verduan and Patreo Mystery
A severed witch's hand changes the face of Eastern Europe forever.
Eric and Julia seek tree grafts on the outskirts of their medieval eastern European village as a summer storm gathers. Sullya, a witch hiding among the trees, grabs Julia. Eric swings his axe and severs Sullya’s hand from her arm. The witch seeks refuge in the deep bole of an old oak. Her hand falls onto the same oak and crawls up the trunk to join her.
Eric wants to flee but Julia, believing they're safe thanks to the now heavy rain, torments the witch. Sullya curses them, their families, their crops, their livestock, and their village.
Soon crops wilt, livestock die, and much of village falls ill. The village priest, Father Baillot, seems ignorant of church ways and proves ineffective against the curse.
The village elders seek help elsewhere, specifically from a distant priest, Father Patreo, who knows the Old Ways as well as the New. Patreo is out of favor with the Church because he makes no effort to hide his belief that progress comes from exploring all paths, not just those the Church decrees acceptable.
He and Verduan, one of the village elders, investigate and encounter witchcraft, devil worship, murder, a coup d'etat, and the clashing of three great cultures. What they discover changes the face of Eastern Europe forever.
Reader
Carrabis writes another Hero's Journey, this time with a faithful dog, a blind bear, and a deformed, mute child.
Riveting and captivating!
Carrabis' sense of humor shines throughout. You can almost see him dropping breadcrumbs for the reader to follow. He's playing a game of tag with the reader and is a master of the game.
Carrabis weaves another multi-character tapestry with interesting plot lines and dialogue you can hear.
Carrabis brings the Middle Ages to life.
Imagine your favorite professor telling you insider stories from Medieval Europe. That's Carrabis' Tag.
I want to ask Carrabis if he time-travels. Tag reads like an episode of "You Are There." It's more like something you're living through than reading in a book.
I saw everything, I tasted the bread, I drank the ale, I worked the fields, I heard the bells, I tasted the mustard. Incredible!
Tag's Verduan and Patreo are the Middle Ages' Holmes and Watson. Cadfael watch out!
Eric and Julia seek tree grafts on the outskirts of their medieval eastern European village as a summer storm gathers. Sullya, a witch hiding among the trees, grabs Julia. Eric swings his axe and severs Sullya’s hand from her arm. The witch seeks refuge in the deep bole of an old oak. Her hand falls onto the same oak and crawls up the trunk to join her.
Eric wants to flee but Julia, believing they're safe thanks to the now heavy rain, torments the witch. Sullya curses them, their families, their crops, their livestock, and their village.
Soon crops wilt, livestock die, and much of village falls ill. The village priest, Father Baillot, seems ignorant of church ways and proves ineffective against the curse.
The village elders seek help elsewhere, specifically from a distant priest, Father Patreo, who knows the Old Ways as well as the New. Patreo is out of favor with the Church because he makes no effort to hide his belief that progress comes from exploring all paths, not just those the Church decrees acceptable.
He and Verduan, one of the village elders, investigate and encounter witchcraft, devil worship, murder, a coup d'etat, and the clashing of three great cultures. What they discover changes the face of Eastern Europe forever.
Reader
Carrabis writes another Hero's Journey, this time with a faithful dog, a blind bear, and a deformed, mute child.
Riveting and captivating!
Carrabis' sense of humor shines throughout. You can almost see him dropping breadcrumbs for the reader to follow. He's playing a game of tag with the reader and is a master of the game.
Carrabis weaves another multi-character tapestry with interesting plot lines and dialogue you can hear.
Carrabis brings the Middle Ages to life.
Imagine your favorite professor telling you insider stories from Medieval Europe. That's Carrabis' Tag.
I want to ask Carrabis if he time-travels. Tag reads like an episode of "You Are There." It's more like something you're living through than reading in a book.
I saw everything, I tasted the bread, I drank the ale, I worked the fields, I heard the bells, I tasted the mustard. Incredible!
Tag's Verduan and Patreo are the Middle Ages' Holmes and Watson. Cadfael watch out!
538 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2024
1 person is currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Joseph Carrabis
58 books120 followersJoseph Carrabis is a master storyteller with a sharp sense of humor and linguistic expertise. Hailing from New Hampshire, USA, his passion for writing began at the tender age of seven while washing dishes with his older sister, Sandra. She’d read ‘Mission to the Heart Stars’ for a book report and shared her fascination and excitement over the story. Joseph, a plate in one hand and a dish towel in the other decided, “I want to give that to people.” With a career deeply embedded in evolving technologies, Joseph served as Chief Research Officer, Chief Neuroscience Officer, and Senior Research Fellow at several institutions and agencies while earning numerous awards for his journalism and trade technical writing.
Joseph refers to himself as boring - something loudly debunked by his readers and peers - and weaves wildly imaginative stories that dance on the boundary of the known and unknown sciences where natural, preternatural and supernatural intersect. Fans’ comments regularly mention Carrabis’ ability to bring together advanced mathematics, quantum physics, cybernetics, and neuroscience with believable multi-dimensional characters and spellbinding future technology. Joseph has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, recommended for a Nebula Award, and received an honorable mention in ‘Writers of the Future’.
Joseph refers to himself as boring - something loudly debunked by his readers and peers - and weaves wildly imaginative stories that dance on the boundary of the known and unknown sciences where natural, preternatural and supernatural intersect. Fans’ comments regularly mention Carrabis’ ability to bring together advanced mathematics, quantum physics, cybernetics, and neuroscience with believable multi-dimensional characters and spellbinding future technology. Joseph has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, recommended for a Nebula Award, and received an honorable mention in ‘Writers of the Future’.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 21, 2024
The village of Nant is a safe place - or is it? A curse has taken hold and there are strange and worrisome happenings, with secrets coming to light and surprising revelations about many of the villagers. And the troubles extend beyond this simple village, involving others as well.
This is a convoluted story with many characters, which at first was a little confusing. But as the story developed, connections were made and things became clearer. It was a little choppy sometimes when changing to a new character's perspective, but the amazing way that everything meshed at the end more than balanced out those minor rough spots. There's some wonderful, subtle commentary on knowledge and ignorance, power, religion, and evil. And there's a delightfully fun pop-culture reference to a classic 1960s sci-fi TV show, too!
Overall, this is an engrossing tale that draws readers in and carries them along on a wild ride, with many twists and turns, to a fantastic and unexpected denouement. A terrific, entertaining read!
4.5 stars rounded up
(I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.)
This is a convoluted story with many characters, which at first was a little confusing. But as the story developed, connections were made and things became clearer. It was a little choppy sometimes when changing to a new character's perspective, but the amazing way that everything meshed at the end more than balanced out those minor rough spots. There's some wonderful, subtle commentary on knowledge and ignorance, power, religion, and evil. And there's a delightfully fun pop-culture reference to a classic 1960s sci-fi TV show, too!
Overall, this is an engrossing tale that draws readers in and carries them along on a wild ride, with many twists and turns, to a fantastic and unexpected denouement. A terrific, entertaining read!
4.5 stars rounded up
(I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.)
October 30, 2024
I received a digital copy of Tag, by Joseph Carrabis in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. The short fiction story which this novel springs from, “Blood Magic” is featured in the WordCrafter dark fiction anthology, Midnight Roost (2023). I loved that story when I compiled the anthology and so, was thrilled to learn there was more to it than just that short tale. But even if I had no prior knowledge of Carrabis’ vast talent, I would have been drawn to this book by the eye-catching cover. ( This review appeared first in Wilderness House Review).
Tag is a medieval mystery filled with more plot twists and turns than a Stephen King tale, with unique and well-developed characters and descriptions that let readers see every detail vividly. Carrabis is a master storyteller and his talent shines brightly with this novel, enlisting all the senses to bring his scenes to life with his detailed descriptions with the skill of Anne Rice.
There are strange happenings in the village of Nant. Unknown strangers lurk in the shadows, no one is who they appear to be, and everybody seems to have secrets and hidden motives. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something happens to make you realize that you’ve got it all wrong. Some say the village is cursed. Missing and murdered maidens, poisoned waters and dying crops, murders and betrayals. And it all began with a witch in a tree and a curse…. Or… did it?
Tag is a medieval mystery filled with more plot twists and turns than a Stephen King tale, with unique and well-developed characters and descriptions that let readers see every detail vividly. Carrabis is a master storyteller and his talent shines brightly with this novel, enlisting all the senses to bring his scenes to life with his detailed descriptions with the skill of Anne Rice.
There are strange happenings in the village of Nant. Unknown strangers lurk in the shadows, no one is who they appear to be, and everybody seems to have secrets and hidden motives. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something happens to make you realize that you’ve got it all wrong. Some say the village is cursed. Missing and murdered maidens, poisoned waters and dying crops, murders and betrayals. And it all began with a witch in a tree and a curse…. Or… did it?
September 5, 2024
I have read most of Joseph’s fiction books as well as some of his nonfiction work.I always find them interesting, often thought provoking and full of little hints of his sense of humor and life’s experiences hidden here and there.
Tag is no exception. It was an enjoyable read. Thought provoking in spots and light and fun reading in others. Unusual characters and unlikely hero’s. Overall a fun and interesting read. As always my thoughts about the world we live in get challenged as I read his books.
I am looking forward to his next story.
Tag is no exception. It was an enjoyable read. Thought provoking in spots and light and fun reading in others. Unusual characters and unlikely hero’s. Overall a fun and interesting read. As always my thoughts about the world we live in get challenged as I read his books.
I am looking forward to his next story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews