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Vegetation
When a man offends the kingdom of plants, the whole world really is out to get him. A chilling tale of floral justice by Maine author Mark LaFlamme.
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2007
103 people want to read
About the author
Mark Laflamme
11 books30 followersMark is a crime reporter and columnist at the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine. He is also the author of the new collection "Box of Lies" and the novels "Dirt: An American Campaign," "The Pink Room," "Vegetation," and "Asterisk: Red Sox 2086."
Mark stays up until dawn and sleeps until noon. He takes Halloween off each year and rides a dual sport motorcycle. He proposed to his wife, Corey, in a pumpkin patch and then whisked her off to Salem, Mass. for a honeymoon.
Shockingly, he is still married.
Visit his website
Find Mark on Facebook
Kindle Books
Mark stays up until dawn and sleeps until noon. He takes Halloween off each year and rides a dual sport motorcycle. He proposed to his wife, Corey, in a pumpkin patch and then whisked her off to Salem, Mass. for a honeymoon.
Shockingly, he is still married.
Visit his website
Find Mark on Facebook
Kindle Books
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 17, 2016
I found this tale both fascinating and horrible. The main character is an effete snob but his wife loves him. She is a rarity, an independently wealthy heiress with no pretense or ego. She is generous with her time and money. Everyone loves her but her husband. While he is a successful author, he must work for his money, although his wife shares her wealth with him. And she would be perfectly happy if he never worked again. However, he wants to have a free hand with her wealth and not have to explain anything to anybody.
His home is gracious, thanks to his wife's money and taste, but he wants it to himself. The gardens are beautiful, again thanks to his wife's love of plants. They seem to thrive under her care, both in the house and outside. But there is a serpent in Paradise. Her husband plans and succeeds in murdering her. Now his life can run the way he desires without any need to consider anyone else. Life is now just as it should be. That is, until the ivy curls itself around his neck. And then the plants outside start tapping on the window. Next thing you know, all the plants are slashing at him and trying to hurt him. He desperately tries to rid himself of all plant life but the lush greenery of Maine is more than a match for him. His battle against an increasingly aggressive flora is terrifying. Yet one can't help but think this is an appropriate punishment for this supremely selfish little man. The various actions of the many plants are both alarming and wondrous! The tension is high as each new species attacks and at each counterattack. Will the plants destroy him or will he find a solution to his dilemma? This book kept me guessing until the final, and appropriate, scene. I enjoyed this horror/comedy immensely. I hope you give it a try.
His home is gracious, thanks to his wife's money and taste, but he wants it to himself. The gardens are beautiful, again thanks to his wife's love of plants. They seem to thrive under her care, both in the house and outside. But there is a serpent in Paradise. Her husband plans and succeeds in murdering her. Now his life can run the way he desires without any need to consider anyone else. Life is now just as it should be. That is, until the ivy curls itself around his neck. And then the plants outside start tapping on the window. Next thing you know, all the plants are slashing at him and trying to hurt him. He desperately tries to rid himself of all plant life but the lush greenery of Maine is more than a match for him. His battle against an increasingly aggressive flora is terrifying. Yet one can't help but think this is an appropriate punishment for this supremely selfish little man. The various actions of the many plants are both alarming and wondrous! The tension is high as each new species attacks and at each counterattack. Will the plants destroy him or will he find a solution to his dilemma? This book kept me guessing until the final, and appropriate, scene. I enjoyed this horror/comedy immensely. I hope you give it a try.
April 16, 2009
Time well spent...increased my awareness of the depth of my veggie dependence in so many ways. Like the ornithologist in the bar scene of Hitchcock's "The Birds", if they ever got together we wouldn't have a chance". LaFlamme's character, unlikeable as he is, seems to suffer more than even his hideous crime deserves in this torturous attack of the plant world on him. How little did I realize about my intake of food, how the plant life is embeeded in almost everything I eat as well as other facets of my life. I found myself helping this villainous protagonist find places where he could be safe (where in fact I could be safe if this preposterous situation struck me).LaFlamme says he wants to entertain- sort of his writing priority. He writes in short vignettes that I categorize as perfect "almost next in line" readings at the drug store, getting my license renewed, Dr's office, - and even the john. The entertainment value is A+ but I also like the research behind it all. Damned good read and now I am looking for another of his little playgrounds of fantasies.
April 11, 2011
I don't normally read science fiction books, but I won a goodreads giveaway and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book.
It wasn't too cheesy and had a very thrilling story line. I loved the fact that it was from the point of view of a murderer. you almost sympathize with him at times, but cheer the plants on at others. The ending was perfect. A complete 360 and justice was served.
I loved it, BUT ( there's always going to be a but) there was a little too much swearing for my taste. It was unnecessary but never the less I really likes this book.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy science fiction, crime thrillers, fantasy, and really, any type of fiction!
It wasn't too cheesy and had a very thrilling story line. I loved the fact that it was from the point of view of a murderer. you almost sympathize with him at times, but cheer the plants on at others. The ending was perfect. A complete 360 and justice was served.
I loved it, BUT ( there's always going to be a but) there was a little too much swearing for my taste. It was unnecessary but never the less I really likes this book.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy science fiction, crime thrillers, fantasy, and really, any type of fiction!
January 26, 2013
Sign in front of rehab center: stay off the grass.
Fun read. Bertram Luce murders his wife Diana. Unfortunately for him, Diana adored flora and when Bertram kills her, they vow to take revenge. And plants have some nasty ways of dealing with those they don’t like.
Delightful and highly recommended.
Fun read. Bertram Luce murders his wife Diana. Unfortunately for him, Diana adored flora and when Bertram kills her, they vow to take revenge. And plants have some nasty ways of dealing with those they don’t like.
Delightful and highly recommended.
May 12, 2011
The writing could be better but an interesting tale.
January 4, 2013
What a fun read. I enjoy LaFiamme's writing style. This novel was absolutely delicious.
May 11, 2011
A little overdone for my tastes. However, it was still a great tale of karma and consequence.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews