Mid-City Errands

by Ronald Fisher

Vonny Foster is all grown up! Vonny is in the second grade and about to make his first confession. Which means life is full of mysteries. For instance, what happens to doughnut holes? And also for instance, who was driving the black Pontiac that ran over his friend Jimmy Broom? Was it an accident or a incident? And why are black-eyed John Smith and his squeaky-voiced friend Pocahontas chasing Vonny all over the neighborhood?

Set in 1950s New Orleans, Mid-City Errands is a comic novel about the adventures of a boy who teams up with an unlikely friend to find out the truth—while buying cigarettes for his Mother at the corner bar and winning with Daddy at the horse race track. Readers of all ages will enjoy its endearing yet menacing world of quirky shopkeepers, meddling neighbors, troublemaking scoundrels, loving parents, annoying siblings, and more aunts, uncles, and cousins than any boy every had.

And the best roast beef poor boy in the whole wide world!

396 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2014

About the author

Ronald Fisher was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Like the narrator of Mid-City Errands, he enjoyed an idyllic and adventurous youth in that neighborhood near the Fair Grounds. He currently resides in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Ron later studied political science at the University of New Orleans before leaving for Paris, France, where he taught English as a second language and did freelance translation work for four years.

Ron then pursued the study of law at Rutgers University School of Law, which resulted in a career as a corporate transactional attorney.

Mid-City Errands is one of two recent projects, the other being a historical novel and murder mystery set in 1849 New Orleans, which is expected to be released in 2016.

Reviews

[C.J. Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love note to one of New Orleans' most iconic neighborhoods (sorry French Quarter). Mid-City Errands is a glimpse back at a time in the American South we often like to believe is simpler, but even through the eyes of our young protagonist, we can see that so much simmers under the surface. A wonderful story with a fun mystery and hysterical anecdotes as only could pop out of the mouth of a precocious 7 year old. A true southern treasure.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book told from a child's perspective of his old New Orleans neighborhood and his Catholic school experience with a little mystery thrown in. Some repetition in the narrator's style could have been tightened up because it made the book drag at times.

[Laurean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Vonny Foster stole my heart and I hope this isn't the last I hear of him, his family, and all of his "why and wherefores ." I laughed so hard, so much and I totally enjoyed Vonny's adventures in his neighborhood. This book captures a time and place so fondly. Anyone who loves and understands New Orleans will recognize it's truth. I read with a street map of Mid-City/ Seventh Ward to plot the action. So much fun!!!

[Lori Pennison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that the book was to long, with lots of repetition. I loved reading the book through Vonny's eyes; that was my favorite part!