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Operation #1
Operation Wormwood
A Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Thriller
An elderly man is carried into the emergency department of the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, setting off a chain of events that leaves doctors mystified. He is the first of many victims suffering from severe nosebleeds and excruciating pain. Dr. Luke Gillespie and Nurse Agatha Catania investigate their symptoms but are unable to diagnose them. The only thing they have in common is Sgt. Nicholas Myra, an investigator with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Dr. Gillespie and Sgt. Myra join forces to solve this twisted mystery. But the story takes a critical turn when Sister Pius, a nun from Mercy Convent, informs them about Wormwood: a disease she believes is created by God to kill perpetrators of the most heinous crimes. Wormwood becomes an international media storm when parish priest Father Peter Cooke holds a news conference on the steps of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist and announces that God has unleashed a plague upon the earth.
Is God truly punishing these criminals, or is a serial killer targeting them? Dr. Gillespie and Sgt. Myra race to find answers, while the Roman Catholic hierarchy starts bringing people back to the Church in droves . . . by cashing in on what it claims to be a miracle.
An elderly man is carried into the emergency department of the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, setting off a chain of events that leaves doctors mystified. He is the first of many victims suffering from severe nosebleeds and excruciating pain. Dr. Luke Gillespie and Nurse Agatha Catania investigate their symptoms but are unable to diagnose them. The only thing they have in common is Sgt. Nicholas Myra, an investigator with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Dr. Gillespie and Sgt. Myra join forces to solve this twisted mystery. But the story takes a critical turn when Sister Pius, a nun from Mercy Convent, informs them about Wormwood: a disease she believes is created by God to kill perpetrators of the most heinous crimes. Wormwood becomes an international media storm when parish priest Father Peter Cooke holds a news conference on the steps of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist and announces that God has unleashed a plague upon the earth.
Is God truly punishing these criminals, or is a serial killer targeting them? Dr. Gillespie and Sgt. Myra race to find answers, while the Roman Catholic hierarchy starts bringing people back to the Church in droves . . . by cashing in on what it claims to be a miracle.
278 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2018
11 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Helen C. Escott
12 books152 followersHelen C. Escott is an award-winning Canadian author and playwright whose cinematic storytelling and deep insight into the human condition have earned her a distinguished place among contemporary crime writers.
A former senior communications strategist with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, she brings a rare authenticity and precision to her work—translating decades of real-world experience into gripping narratives that pulse with realism, emotional truth, and suspense.
Her bestselling Operation Series—a six-book collection of crime thrillers—has captivated readers across Canada and beyond. The first book in the series was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada’s Best First Crime Novel Award. The entire series has been optioned for television and lauded for its chillingly current investigations, unpredictable twists, and deeply human characters. The series’ success was further recognized with a Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction at the 24th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards and the 2023 Best Atlantic-Published Book Award from the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association (APMA).
Helen’s writing is distinguished by its cinematic pace, vivid realism, and emotional resonance. Her works reflect not only the complexities of crime and justice but also the moral and psychological landscapes of those who live within them. Drawing upon her years as a Civilian Member of the RCMP, she weaves intricate plots rooted in authenticity and insight. Her career with the RCMP included leading communications for high-profile national operations—such as the force’s response to the September 11th terrorist attacks—and developing regional strategies to combat organized crime and outlaw biker gangs. She also designed and taught a media relations course delivered across Canada, including at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa, and served as a communications strategist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Her literary and public contributions have been widely recognized. In 2021, she received the Veterans Ombud Commendation Lifetime Contribution Award for her outstanding work with veterans. Among her other honors are the CLB Governor and Commandants' Medallion (2017) for excellence in volunteering and fundraising, the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2019), and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Certificate of Recognition (2022) for her advocacy on behalf of veterans.
Published Works
Crime Thriller Series (Flanker Press):
• Operation Wormwood — A top-five finalist for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards for Best First Crime Novel.
• The Reckoning — The powerful conclusion to Operation Wormwood, acclaimed for its dark, ingenious plotting.
• Operation Vanished — Winner of the Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction at the 24th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards.
• Operation Trafficked — A lightning-paced and chillingly relevant thriller exploring the global human trafficking network.
• Operation Masonic — A gripping, historically layered mystery set within the secretive world of Freemasonry.
• Operation Betrayed — A haunting exploration of betrayal, justice, and the societal biases that shape investigations.
Standalone Novels:
• We Will Meet Again — A multi-generational story of love, loss, and resilience that spans nearly a century.
• In Search of Adventure: 70 Years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador — A comprehensive collection of memoirs and personal stories, named one of the top Atlantic Canadian memoirs.
• I Am Funny Like That — A memoir of humorous essays reflecting on motherhood, marriage, and the lighter side of a writer’s life.
Legacy and Media Presence
A frequent guest on television, radio, and literary panels, Helen C. Escott remains an influential voice in Canadian arts and culture. Her background in broadcasting, coupled with her deep understanding of communications, has made her a sought-after speaker for teaching courses on writing, and w
A former senior communications strategist with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, she brings a rare authenticity and precision to her work—translating decades of real-world experience into gripping narratives that pulse with realism, emotional truth, and suspense.
Her bestselling Operation Series—a six-book collection of crime thrillers—has captivated readers across Canada and beyond. The first book in the series was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada’s Best First Crime Novel Award. The entire series has been optioned for television and lauded for its chillingly current investigations, unpredictable twists, and deeply human characters. The series’ success was further recognized with a Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction at the 24th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards and the 2023 Best Atlantic-Published Book Award from the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association (APMA).
Helen’s writing is distinguished by its cinematic pace, vivid realism, and emotional resonance. Her works reflect not only the complexities of crime and justice but also the moral and psychological landscapes of those who live within them. Drawing upon her years as a Civilian Member of the RCMP, she weaves intricate plots rooted in authenticity and insight. Her career with the RCMP included leading communications for high-profile national operations—such as the force’s response to the September 11th terrorist attacks—and developing regional strategies to combat organized crime and outlaw biker gangs. She also designed and taught a media relations course delivered across Canada, including at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa, and served as a communications strategist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Her literary and public contributions have been widely recognized. In 2021, she received the Veterans Ombud Commendation Lifetime Contribution Award for her outstanding work with veterans. Among her other honors are the CLB Governor and Commandants' Medallion (2017) for excellence in volunteering and fundraising, the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2019), and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Certificate of Recognition (2022) for her advocacy on behalf of veterans.
Published Works
Crime Thriller Series (Flanker Press):
• Operation Wormwood — A top-five finalist for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards for Best First Crime Novel.
• The Reckoning — The powerful conclusion to Operation Wormwood, acclaimed for its dark, ingenious plotting.
• Operation Vanished — Winner of the Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction at the 24th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards.
• Operation Trafficked — A lightning-paced and chillingly relevant thriller exploring the global human trafficking network.
• Operation Masonic — A gripping, historically layered mystery set within the secretive world of Freemasonry.
• Operation Betrayed — A haunting exploration of betrayal, justice, and the societal biases that shape investigations.
Standalone Novels:
• We Will Meet Again — A multi-generational story of love, loss, and resilience that spans nearly a century.
• In Search of Adventure: 70 Years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador — A comprehensive collection of memoirs and personal stories, named one of the top Atlantic Canadian memoirs.
• I Am Funny Like That — A memoir of humorous essays reflecting on motherhood, marriage, and the lighter side of a writer’s life.
Legacy and Media Presence
A frequent guest on television, radio, and literary panels, Helen C. Escott remains an influential voice in Canadian arts and culture. Her background in broadcasting, coupled with her deep understanding of communications, has made her a sought-after speaker for teaching courses on writing, and w
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 25, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to Helen C. Escott and Flanker Press Limited for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
After being approached by the author to read this novel, I was curious. It was only when I read that it was set in Canada that I knew I had to give this—and a Canadian author—a try, in hopes that it would prove to be a successful undertaking. Escott offers up a gripping story, set in the capital city of Canada easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador.
When the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the province is admitted to the hospital with a handful of symptoms, Dr. Luke Gillespie is baffled as to what it might be. A bleeding nose that comes from nowhere and cannot be stopped, extreme pain, and a sensation that the taste of water is extremely bitter, to mention only a few of these random symptoms. After running a number of tests, Dr. Gillespie discounts all of the expected diagnoses that seem to fit, which only causes him to become more befuddled.
Sergeant Nicholas Myra of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrives to interview the Archbishop and Gillespie is brought in on a theory the police have been floating, that this illness is isolated to those who have committed a form of pedophilia. More patients soon arrive with similar symptoms, leading Gillespie to wonder if there is an epidemic around St. John’s and if Myra’s theory might have merit.
Soon, it becomes clear that this epidemic stretches outside of St. John’s and may have cases all across Canada, something an eager priest wants to share through media sources. It would seem that some of those who are afflicted know one another and call this ‘disease’ Wormwood, from a passage in the Book of Revelations. Digging deeper along the medical and legal angles, Gillespie and Myra work to ascertain how only certain individuals are being targeted and who might be behind this Wormwood, human or otherwise.
Time is running out, though some may be just as happy to let nature take its course in a cruel form of survival of the worthiest. Escott pens this wonderful thriller with all the needed ingredients to hook the reader from the opening pages. Highly recommended for those who love a mix of legal and medical thrillers with a religious flavouring to keep the suspense at its most intense.
As Escott admits in her dedication, this work was a decade in the making, leaving me to believe that she spent much time honing her skills in an attempt to provide the reader with the best possible product. She surpasses many of my expectations for this novel and has me very excited to share this piece with other eager readers.
Readers are able to learn much about both protagonists, Luke Gillespie and Nicholas Myra throughout this novel, as their backstories are developed effectively throughout the narrative. Coming from completely different backgrounds, both men bring different skills to the table that help propel the story forward and provide the reader with much insight as their character development thickens with each passing page. The handful of other characters offer pieces necessary to move the story forward, particularly some of the darker aspects of the story that the reader will discover upon taking the time to enjoy this novel. Escott builds these characters effectively and pulls no punches with their flaws, which only helps enhance an already strong narrative.
The story itself is powerful, mixing the law and religion’s hold over the masses, as well as how to handle those who have committed grievous sin, such as pedophilia. There is much made not only of the abuse of children, but also the decades-old taint the Church has had in relation to this. Additionally, Escott brings in a discussion of Indigenous populations and the abuse they suffered, only to have their pleas ignored as not being credible. The reader need not worry about Catholic inculcation, though the biblical references are important to better understand some of the key arguments and stereotypical sentiments lobbied at the Church. Escott knows how to push without shoving and discuss without preaching, leaving a larger cross-section of readers willing to give this novel a try. I’m sure to pass this title along to anyone who is looking for a strong piece of Canadian fiction that can be digested in short order.
Kudos, Madam Escott, for a wonderful piece. I hope you have more novel ideas in the works, for I am ready to queue up to read whatever else you have on offer.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
After being approached by the author to read this novel, I was curious. It was only when I read that it was set in Canada that I knew I had to give this—and a Canadian author—a try, in hopes that it would prove to be a successful undertaking. Escott offers up a gripping story, set in the capital city of Canada easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador.
When the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the province is admitted to the hospital with a handful of symptoms, Dr. Luke Gillespie is baffled as to what it might be. A bleeding nose that comes from nowhere and cannot be stopped, extreme pain, and a sensation that the taste of water is extremely bitter, to mention only a few of these random symptoms. After running a number of tests, Dr. Gillespie discounts all of the expected diagnoses that seem to fit, which only causes him to become more befuddled.
Sergeant Nicholas Myra of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrives to interview the Archbishop and Gillespie is brought in on a theory the police have been floating, that this illness is isolated to those who have committed a form of pedophilia. More patients soon arrive with similar symptoms, leading Gillespie to wonder if there is an epidemic around St. John’s and if Myra’s theory might have merit.
Soon, it becomes clear that this epidemic stretches outside of St. John’s and may have cases all across Canada, something an eager priest wants to share through media sources. It would seem that some of those who are afflicted know one another and call this ‘disease’ Wormwood, from a passage in the Book of Revelations. Digging deeper along the medical and legal angles, Gillespie and Myra work to ascertain how only certain individuals are being targeted and who might be behind this Wormwood, human or otherwise.
Time is running out, though some may be just as happy to let nature take its course in a cruel form of survival of the worthiest. Escott pens this wonderful thriller with all the needed ingredients to hook the reader from the opening pages. Highly recommended for those who love a mix of legal and medical thrillers with a religious flavouring to keep the suspense at its most intense.
As Escott admits in her dedication, this work was a decade in the making, leaving me to believe that she spent much time honing her skills in an attempt to provide the reader with the best possible product. She surpasses many of my expectations for this novel and has me very excited to share this piece with other eager readers.
Readers are able to learn much about both protagonists, Luke Gillespie and Nicholas Myra throughout this novel, as their backstories are developed effectively throughout the narrative. Coming from completely different backgrounds, both men bring different skills to the table that help propel the story forward and provide the reader with much insight as their character development thickens with each passing page. The handful of other characters offer pieces necessary to move the story forward, particularly some of the darker aspects of the story that the reader will discover upon taking the time to enjoy this novel. Escott builds these characters effectively and pulls no punches with their flaws, which only helps enhance an already strong narrative.
The story itself is powerful, mixing the law and religion’s hold over the masses, as well as how to handle those who have committed grievous sin, such as pedophilia. There is much made not only of the abuse of children, but also the decades-old taint the Church has had in relation to this. Additionally, Escott brings in a discussion of Indigenous populations and the abuse they suffered, only to have their pleas ignored as not being credible. The reader need not worry about Catholic inculcation, though the biblical references are important to better understand some of the key arguments and stereotypical sentiments lobbied at the Church. Escott knows how to push without shoving and discuss without preaching, leaving a larger cross-section of readers willing to give this novel a try. I’m sure to pass this title along to anyone who is looking for a strong piece of Canadian fiction that can be digested in short order.
Kudos, Madam Escott, for a wonderful piece. I hope you have more novel ideas in the works, for I am ready to queue up to read whatever else you have on offer.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 14, 2018
This thriller is the product of 10 years. For the nature of this mystery, it's not so much a whodunit as a medical mystery with long-range ramifications.
Not to give too much away, the disease targets a very specific group of individuals, and no, it's not a targeted virus made by us. As a line in the novel says, "I'm not going to put out an arrest warrant for Jesus Christ."
So yes, it is also religious... to an interesting degree. Bad people are being punished. Everyone else in the novel is just trying to figure out what's going on and making do with the hand they're dealt. This includes the church, the police, victims of abuse, and the abusers.
Warning: this might be a trigger novel for victims of child abuse. Almost the entire novel deals with pedophilia.
On another level, the novel is also a total wish-fulfillment piece for the victims.
Either way, it's a very decent thriller that explores a ton of different angles, mainly relying on the church and a bit of the secular authority to drive the plot.
After ten years, it's obvious that this novel is quite polished. It's worth a look.
Not to give too much away, the disease targets a very specific group of individuals, and no, it's not a targeted virus made by us. As a line in the novel says, "I'm not going to put out an arrest warrant for Jesus Christ."
So yes, it is also religious... to an interesting degree. Bad people are being punished. Everyone else in the novel is just trying to figure out what's going on and making do with the hand they're dealt. This includes the church, the police, victims of abuse, and the abusers.
Warning: this might be a trigger novel for victims of child abuse. Almost the entire novel deals with pedophilia.
On another level, the novel is also a total wish-fulfillment piece for the victims.
Either way, it's a very decent thriller that explores a ton of different angles, mainly relying on the church and a bit of the secular authority to drive the plot.
After ten years, it's obvious that this novel is quite polished. It's worth a look.
September 17, 2019
Many thanks to Goodreads friend, Matt, for recommending this riveting medical mystery which explored hospital procedures and the difficulty of conducting the ensuing police investigation in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The story centers around a previously unknown disease which was killing pedophiles but was not spread to their victims. This disease caused those infected excruciating pain, massive blood loss, and water having a taste so bitter that the patient was unable to drink. The patient also displayed a myriad of other symptoms.
I was very interested in the story as I was attending a conference in Newfoundland when the news of pedophiles within the Church was revealed and became a national story. This crime had been covered up for years, and charges were being laid.
The story begins when the Archbishop is brought into hospital in St. John’s severely ill with unusual symptoms, and some others are soon admitted with similar symptoms. Dr. Luke Gillespie and Nurse Agatha Catania are mystified as tests fail to match any known disease. Also, no trace of poison is found in their systems. They further learn that the puzzling disease has been showing up at hospitals across Canada.
Sergeant Nicholas Myra of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has been investigating these patients for child sexual abuse and believes this crime is what the patients have in common. He is a man haunted by the lifelong repercussions such abuse has on the child victims, and the apparent reluctance the legal system acting on the reported abuse. He learns that indigenous children were abused in Labrador, but charges were dropped because the many victims were judged not credible. Myra is suffering from PTSD from the suffering he has witnessed.
A nun, Sister Pius, informs the medical staff that Wormwood, mentioned in the Bible, is a disease she believes was created by God to kill pedophiles. Father Peter Cook becomes a national celebrity when he announces that God has unleashed this plague upon the earth. The result is parishioners flocking back to the Church, and Father Cook promoted as a spokesman by the Vatican.
This is a compelling, well-written book which was thought-provoking and should cause discussion in book clubs and within religious and secular circles. I found the medical mystery compelling, shocking, and suspense was maintained throughout. The characters were well developed and believable.
It’s abrupt ending and lack of resolution of the medical mystery prevented me awarding the book 5 stars. I think that finding a scientific solution was not at all possible, but I was frustrated when the ending was left unresolved. The fate of a character at the end begs for a sequel. I have ordered the author’s next book, but from it’s the description it does not appear to have any connection with this story.
The story centers around a previously unknown disease which was killing pedophiles but was not spread to their victims. This disease caused those infected excruciating pain, massive blood loss, and water having a taste so bitter that the patient was unable to drink. The patient also displayed a myriad of other symptoms.
I was very interested in the story as I was attending a conference in Newfoundland when the news of pedophiles within the Church was revealed and became a national story. This crime had been covered up for years, and charges were being laid.
The story begins when the Archbishop is brought into hospital in St. John’s severely ill with unusual symptoms, and some others are soon admitted with similar symptoms. Dr. Luke Gillespie and Nurse Agatha Catania are mystified as tests fail to match any known disease. Also, no trace of poison is found in their systems. They further learn that the puzzling disease has been showing up at hospitals across Canada.
Sergeant Nicholas Myra of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has been investigating these patients for child sexual abuse and believes this crime is what the patients have in common. He is a man haunted by the lifelong repercussions such abuse has on the child victims, and the apparent reluctance the legal system acting on the reported abuse. He learns that indigenous children were abused in Labrador, but charges were dropped because the many victims were judged not credible. Myra is suffering from PTSD from the suffering he has witnessed.
A nun, Sister Pius, informs the medical staff that Wormwood, mentioned in the Bible, is a disease she believes was created by God to kill pedophiles. Father Peter Cook becomes a national celebrity when he announces that God has unleashed this plague upon the earth. The result is parishioners flocking back to the Church, and Father Cook promoted as a spokesman by the Vatican.
This is a compelling, well-written book which was thought-provoking and should cause discussion in book clubs and within religious and secular circles. I found the medical mystery compelling, shocking, and suspense was maintained throughout. The characters were well developed and believable.
It’s abrupt ending and lack of resolution of the medical mystery prevented me awarding the book 5 stars. I think that finding a scientific solution was not at all possible, but I was frustrated when the ending was left unresolved. The fate of a character at the end begs for a sequel. I have ordered the author’s next book, but from it’s the description it does not appear to have any connection with this story.
August 16, 2020
Not a bad book
One of the better local books that I have read
There is a medical mystery in the city of St. John’s
A local cop and a medical doctor join force to undercover the cause of this disease and why it hits a particular group of people
Easy read
Short chapters
Realistic and far-fetched at the same time
One of the better local books that I have read
There is a medical mystery in the city of St. John’s
A local cop and a medical doctor join force to undercover the cause of this disease and why it hits a particular group of people
Easy read
Short chapters
Realistic and far-fetched at the same time
August 9, 2018
Excellent read! Suspenseful page turner! Loved every minute! Can’t wait to read more from Helen!
August 13, 2018
This book is an amazing piece of work. The attention to detail with respect to investigating the various situations (can't say crime, as I am still not sure a crime has been committed), is second to none. This work is Dan Brown style and I would be shocked if it is not made into a movie. Brilliant work! Can't wait for the next one.
August 12, 2018
I loved the book! I was filled with many emotions while I read, and many tears were shed. I loved the author’s perspective and how she created her characters. I anxiously await the next book!
March 13, 2019
2.5 rounded up to 3. Some ideas in the book were interesting but the delivery really fell flat for me. It also wasn’t super realistic from the medical angle with the emerg doc also doing ICU rounds and other responsibilities. I felt there just wasn’t much in the way of character development either. And I didn’t love the ending.
August 23, 2018
Suspenseful thriller! I especially loved the characters and the attention to detail. It is very well researched in terms of the history and architecture of St. John's, policing procedures, political roadblocks, and religion. Wormwood touches on our emotions and forces us to examine our own feelings on the subject. What a brilliant piece of work!!
October 4, 2021
I was excited to read this book...not only is it my favourite genre but it is by a local author in Newfoundland, a province I love and lived in for 20 years. The good points of the book, in my opinion, are the descriptions and information about St. John's, NL... it is always fun to read a book set in a place you know, and the fact that the author obviously wanted to shine a light on a very horrible problem in society and how the church and government turned a blind eye for many years.
Unfortunately, I did not personally enjoy her writing style and couldn't really figure out what message she was trying to leave the reader with.
Unfortunately, I did not personally enjoy her writing style and couldn't really figure out what message she was trying to leave the reader with.
July 17, 2019
What an absolutely fantastic book! Such a clever and original idea, with thoroughly likable (and some definitely hate-able!) characters; easy to read, completely engaging - a page turner without a doubt. If I could give it 10/10 I would. I look forward to reading further work by Ms. Escott and eagerly await the release of Operation Vanished.
December 19, 2021
So....the book was great but the ending sucked?? It had amazing potential. I kept looking to see if it was part 1 of a duo or trilogy? Turns out no...too bad could have been great.
April 30, 2022
Really, I don’t recall ever reading such a “Cop Out” … no Pun intended …ending. Took my Four Star down a notch, unfortunately and I hesitate to recommend this one now.
August 27, 2018
I've clicked the button to hide the review because of spoilers, but I'll reiterate it here at the start: while I won't get into specific details, I want to talk about the end a little, so you've been warned.
I really enjoyed this book. As others have discussed in their reviews, and is mentioned in the author's notes, this book was years in the making and it shows in how polished and well thought out the premise is throughout. Likewise, the protagonists are well fleshed out and show a lot of character development through out the story.
The premise is very intriguing as well, and raises a lot of interesting questions. There aren't any obvious answers to them, either, but they lead to several philosophical and ecclesiastical debates, both in the book itself and for the reader to ponder internally, or discuss with others.
The only thing holding me back from a five star rating is the ending. Again, without spoiling anything, my main problem is I was expecting more of a conclusion / resolution, and there really wasn't any at all. This is a completely subjective opinion, of course, as some things and/or characters do resolve their parts in the story, but I was left with several questions about people and things at the end.
Maybe there'll be a follow up book (I hope so!) and it will be explored then, but that wasn't explicitly stated or hinted at in the end. Also, it just may have been the author's intention to leave it that way - real life often doesn't wrap things up with a bow or explain everything either. While I didn't expect everything to be resolved in a neat and tidy fashion, I guess I was just expecting a little something more concrete. Again, that's a completely personal view and your mileage may vary.
Overall though, I definitely recommend this book. I read it in what is a very fast timeline for me (I know, I know, I'm not a very fast reader), and enjoyed the ride while it lasted. I just hope there's going to be more to come, but regardless I'll be watching out for the author's next offering.
I really enjoyed this book. As others have discussed in their reviews, and is mentioned in the author's notes, this book was years in the making and it shows in how polished and well thought out the premise is throughout. Likewise, the protagonists are well fleshed out and show a lot of character development through out the story.
The premise is very intriguing as well, and raises a lot of interesting questions. There aren't any obvious answers to them, either, but they lead to several philosophical and ecclesiastical debates, both in the book itself and for the reader to ponder internally, or discuss with others.
The only thing holding me back from a five star rating is the ending. Again, without spoiling anything, my main problem is I was expecting more of a conclusion / resolution, and there really wasn't any at all. This is a completely subjective opinion, of course, as some things and/or characters do resolve their parts in the story, but I was left with several questions about people and things at the end.
Maybe there'll be a follow up book (I hope so!) and it will be explored then, but that wasn't explicitly stated or hinted at in the end. Also, it just may have been the author's intention to leave it that way - real life often doesn't wrap things up with a bow or explain everything either. While I didn't expect everything to be resolved in a neat and tidy fashion, I guess I was just expecting a little something more concrete. Again, that's a completely personal view and your mileage may vary.
Overall though, I definitely recommend this book. I read it in what is a very fast timeline for me (I know, I know, I'm not a very fast reader), and enjoyed the ride while it lasted. I just hope there's going to be more to come, but regardless I'll be watching out for the author's next offering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2018
Excellent book! It was a well written book, the author did a fantastic job! The story kept me right on the edge of my seat, holding my interest, a real page turning book! Had the time to sit back and read and it was so well written I finished it in a day. Well worth picking up a copy to read.
June 11, 2024
Wow, what a crazy story. Leaves you questioning if the Wormwood theory is correct right to the end...any beyond. Also brings to light many things that are truly heartbreaking, and not just a story...they happen in the real world.
Highly recommend this book and author.
Highly recommend this book and author.
July 10, 2023
The concept is definitely interesting, but I believe the execution could've been much better.
August 14, 2018
"Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant!
With skilled detective like precision Escott kept me at the edge of my seat throughout this well told story of hurt and faith.
Filled with a literal ton of well researched facts and figures regarding NL's history, criminal investigative processes and relevant political complications this novel fills the readers need for action, suspense and emotion.
This book will make every Newfoundlander and Labradorian reflect on their complicated history and fully intrigue those who come from away.
Operation Wormwoodis 'wicked...simply wicked' in every definition of the word."
With skilled detective like precision Escott kept me at the edge of my seat throughout this well told story of hurt and faith.
Filled with a literal ton of well researched facts and figures regarding NL's history, criminal investigative processes and relevant political complications this novel fills the readers need for action, suspense and emotion.
This book will make every Newfoundlander and Labradorian reflect on their complicated history and fully intrigue those who come from away.
Operation Wormwoodis 'wicked...simply wicked' in every definition of the word."
December 26, 2018
A powerful, well written read. Engaging characters and plot.
September 22, 2022
Oh boy, I guess the author tried her best but I think this was her first book and it failed miserably. The writing is poor, certain situations, such as how a hospital runs, are highly unlikely and unbelievable. The main problem though is that it just ends without resolution. Oh, there is a sequel, which I had to read in order to find out how it all turns out, but it doesn’t say that anywhere on the front or back cover of this book. I have written a review of the sequel, Operation Wormwood,The Reckoning, which is a much better read. It has some plot twists and keeps you on the edge of your seat like a thriller should. Finally, while it was nice to read the descriptions of various locations in St. John’s, a city I lived in for 15 years, they read like a tourism brochure instead of being woven seamlessly into the prose.
August 19, 2025
E is for Escott in my year of reading mystery authors. This is Helen C Escott’s fiction debut. This mystery is set in St. John’s NL and deals with child sexual abuse - pedophiles are dying from something. Is it a new disease, a criminal act or an act of god?
We meet some interesting characters in the hospital, the police and the Church. The story moved along but not in a propulsive way. It took me a few tries to get settled in the story.
I found the writing a little rough in patches, too melodramatic for my taste. It’s a little thing but it bugged me as sexist. The senior nurse - one of three female characters - is mostly referred to by her full name or Nurse Agatha. The men with titles aren’t called Dr Luke or Sgt Nick.
I learned on the second last page that it’s a series. I’m not motivated enough to read book 2.
We meet some interesting characters in the hospital, the police and the Church. The story moved along but not in a propulsive way. It took me a few tries to get settled in the story.
I found the writing a little rough in patches, too melodramatic for my taste. It’s a little thing but it bugged me as sexist. The senior nurse - one of three female characters - is mostly referred to by her full name or Nurse Agatha. The men with titles aren’t called Dr Luke or Sgt Nick.
I learned on the second last page that it’s a series. I’m not motivated enough to read book 2.
December 30, 2019
I found it difficult to finish this book. What I thought was going to be a great story turned out to be a dud. I had no connection with the characters, their lives weren't believable, I picked it up and laid it down so many times because I lost interest. I only finished it because there was nothing in the house to read. Too bad, really. It could have been a great story. The author got the concept but lost me right out of the gate.
September 17, 2018
Id the Di Vini code was set in Newfoundland this would be the story. Be prepared not to be able to put this book down read it in full in under a day. So well Written and great rich character development.
November 24, 2019
This book is vile. I'm mystified by all these enthusiastic reviews. It's not a mystery, and is certainly not religious. If "thriller" now means "supernatural horror story," I'll know to avoid such in future.
August 30, 2024
What a book !
The story
The plot
The twist
Everything was amazing
The author outdone her self while writing this book
It was one of those stories where you felt emotionally attached to every page and that don’t happen much
Highly recommend
Read while at work on Tanker Damia Desgagnes ⚓️
The story
The plot
The twist
Everything was amazing
The author outdone her self while writing this book
It was one of those stories where you felt emotionally attached to every page and that don’t happen much
Highly recommend
Read while at work on Tanker Damia Desgagnes ⚓️
January 11, 2019
Follow this link to read my column featuring Operation Wormwood:
https://www.thepacket.ca/living/book-...
https://www.thepacket.ca/living/book-...
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April 29, 201941/2 Well researched, locally based novel that involves the world of religion, medicine and police. I quite enjoyed it.
October 29, 2021
A good read but the editing left something to be desired.
August 11, 2019
Helen C Escott has written a moody and somewhat struggling police thriller about the Catholic Church and pedophiles. While topical and laced with understanding regarding the church, this book is flawed in a few ways.
First and most importantly, there is no resolution at the end of the book. Two of the main characters commit suicide as a result of their PTSD- this is,again, topical, but Sgt. Myra’s death was completely out of left field and the sudden last chapter discussion of his PTSD really seemed tacked on.
Escott throws accusations at everyone in this story- high level politicians, school principals, child psychologists, priests, archbishops. Everyone in the story gets sicker as their victims relive the abuse, but the only explanation for this is that God is punishing the perpetrators via a text from Revelations. Apparently God is inflicting this ‘disease’ on people from his heavenly throne. At the same time, the author seems to want us to return to church. We loves us a vengeful god, don’t we? And let’s not stop there- the doctor and nurse who are apparently the only ones willing to look after the sick people stop in the midst of a crisis to talk about drug companies and how they really could cure cancer if they wanted to, but they want to keep everyone sick and scared and taking their expensive medications...
The medical info in this book is also flawed in terms of how the people are treated- in isolation, out of isolation, no one wearing face masks despite the fact this is post HIV and the patients are haemorrhaging mightily in all directions. Everyone mopping spattered blood off their faces. Yuck. As a nurse I reject the entire idea of this treatment.
There is neither enough information to make the “wormwood” disease an act of God or a terrorist poisoning (as is usual with medical mysteries, no one tests anyone for poisons until several people die- I’d be firing that doctor and the nurse, too.)
The writer obviously didn’t know that wormwood is actually a plant, as someone asks what it was and the character denies it is one...
In short, the book could have used some good editing and a fact-checker- just because it is fiction, it can’t throw all facts into the air- unless it is clearly speculative fiction, which this doesn’t purport to be.
I was disappointed by this book because the premise was an interesting one, the setting clear (although the church was the main setting described and I did not know StJohn’s had the sculpture of the veiled virgin- it surprises me and makes me want to go see this wonderful sculpture ). There was such a good idea here it pains me to have it wobble so. The pacing works well, the characters are interesting, but the whole piece seems unresolved. As someone who ends her stories too rapidly, I can identify the temptation, but with a little more work this could have been a great thriller.
First and most importantly, there is no resolution at the end of the book. Two of the main characters commit suicide as a result of their PTSD- this is,again, topical, but Sgt. Myra’s death was completely out of left field and the sudden last chapter discussion of his PTSD really seemed tacked on.
Escott throws accusations at everyone in this story- high level politicians, school principals, child psychologists, priests, archbishops. Everyone in the story gets sicker as their victims relive the abuse, but the only explanation for this is that God is punishing the perpetrators via a text from Revelations. Apparently God is inflicting this ‘disease’ on people from his heavenly throne. At the same time, the author seems to want us to return to church. We loves us a vengeful god, don’t we? And let’s not stop there- the doctor and nurse who are apparently the only ones willing to look after the sick people stop in the midst of a crisis to talk about drug companies and how they really could cure cancer if they wanted to, but they want to keep everyone sick and scared and taking their expensive medications...
The medical info in this book is also flawed in terms of how the people are treated- in isolation, out of isolation, no one wearing face masks despite the fact this is post HIV and the patients are haemorrhaging mightily in all directions. Everyone mopping spattered blood off their faces. Yuck. As a nurse I reject the entire idea of this treatment.
There is neither enough information to make the “wormwood” disease an act of God or a terrorist poisoning (as is usual with medical mysteries, no one tests anyone for poisons until several people die- I’d be firing that doctor and the nurse, too.)
The writer obviously didn’t know that wormwood is actually a plant, as someone asks what it was and the character denies it is one...
In short, the book could have used some good editing and a fact-checker- just because it is fiction, it can’t throw all facts into the air- unless it is clearly speculative fiction, which this doesn’t purport to be.
I was disappointed by this book because the premise was an interesting one, the setting clear (although the church was the main setting described and I did not know StJohn’s had the sculpture of the veiled virgin- it surprises me and makes me want to go see this wonderful sculpture ). There was such a good idea here it pains me to have it wobble so. The pacing works well, the characters are interesting, but the whole piece seems unresolved. As someone who ends her stories too rapidly, I can identify the temptation, but with a little more work this could have been a great thriller.
February 8, 2020
First off, I loved this book! It is a page turner and I hated to put it down. It’s such an easy read even though the author was tackling topics such as stress from the medical field, policing and religion.
And being a former police officer, I could relate and identify myself with Sgt Myra and his situation.
I found myself asking “what now? What happens next?, and could that really happen?” I did this throughout the whole book.
The author put a lot of thought into writing this book and enough detail in it to keep the reader interested but having to turn the page to see what was up next. It held my attention as if you couldn’t tell already.
For anyone with a spiritual background, you will enjoy how the author made it an integral part of the story.
To the author: thank you for writing this book. I sure hope there is a sequel!!
(Spoiler alert below)
Spoiler alert!! Stop reading my review here if you haven’t read the book yet...
My question for all that have read it is: Did Sgt Myra follow through with it or not near the end of the book?
And, What’s your thoughts on what was happening to the pedophiles? They would be interesting discussions for any book club. And another thrown in would be what happened in the emergency room at the end of the book?
And being a former police officer, I could relate and identify myself with Sgt Myra and his situation.
I found myself asking “what now? What happens next?, and could that really happen?” I did this throughout the whole book.
The author put a lot of thought into writing this book and enough detail in it to keep the reader interested but having to turn the page to see what was up next. It held my attention as if you couldn’t tell already.
For anyone with a spiritual background, you will enjoy how the author made it an integral part of the story.
To the author: thank you for writing this book. I sure hope there is a sequel!!
(Spoiler alert below)
Spoiler alert!! Stop reading my review here if you haven’t read the book yet...
My question for all that have read it is: Did Sgt Myra follow through with it or not near the end of the book?
And, What’s your thoughts on what was happening to the pedophiles? They would be interesting discussions for any book club. And another thrown in would be what happened in the emergency room at the end of the book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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