The Green House

by Dan Lawton

Winner, Fiction, 2021 New Hampshire Writers' Project Literary Awards

Bronze Medalist, Adult Fiction E-Book, 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards)

Finalist for the 2021 Montaigne Medal (Eric Hoffer Awards) for most thought-provoking book

Finalist, Mystery, 2020 Book Excellence Awards

Finalist, Fiction, 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Finalist, Literary Fiction, 2020 American Fiction Awards


The green house is more than a greenhouse.

Seven flowers, seven colors, seven meanings, and one 37-year-old secret—the green house is the keeper of it all. Its creator, Girard, is a fragile elderly man whose life was shattered by tragedy nearly four decades ago. And when tragedy strikes again—this time to his beloved wife, Miriam—Girard struggles to cope.

The pain of the two interwoven tragedies drives Girard to places of his psyche he desperately tries but is unable to escape. And while the green house he constructed reminds him every day of the regret and the agony and the heartache, it's the only place in his world that offers him peace and tranquility.

Girard turns to the green house as his savior, and with it, he discovers the power behind it not even he knew existed—hope for a second chance.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2020

About the author

Dan Lawton is an international best selling and award-winning thriller author from New Hampshire. He is an active member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) Organization.

His fifth novel, The Green House, won the 2021 New Hampshire Writers' Project Literary Award for Fiction, was a Bronze Medalist in the Adult Fiction E-Book category for the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards), a Finalist for the 2021 Montaigne Medal (Eric Hoffer Awards) for most thought-provoking book, a Finalist in the Fiction category for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, a Finalist in the Mystery category for the 2020 Book Excellence Awards, and a Finalist in Literary Fiction for the 2020 American Fiction Awards.

His fourth novel, Plum Springs, won the 2019 New Hampshire Writers' Project Readers' Choice Award for Fiction. His first novel, Deception, was named one of the best thriller novels of 2017 by the Novel Writing Festival.

Website: danlawtonfiction.com
Email: info@danlawtonfiction.com
Twitter/Instagram: @danlawtonauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/danlawtonfiction

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are things I liked about this story, but I didn’t love it as I thought I might . Many of us know about and have experienced grief and I thought I would connect easily. It’s a case of me not the book. I’m not much of a reader of mystery stories and I probably didn’t pay enough attention to the fact that there is a mystery here. There are things kept from both the reader and one of the characters and the slow divulging just didn’t work for me.

Girard and Miriam, married for forty years, deeply love each other, but are mired in a shared grief, an almost obsessive grief, that takes over their lives . Something awful happened thirty seven years ago and it’s a while before we know what it is. When another tragedy strikes, Stacey, their estranged daughter comes home to find her father in a state of grief and panic attacks, still keeping things from her. While it was heartbreaking to learn what happened to Girard and Miriam all those years ago, my heart also went out to Stacey whose life seems to have been impacted by her parents shared grief, mostly by being kept out of their circle of two and now unraveling. Beautiful at times, especially with the loving way Girard tends to his green house and brings in a flower each day to Miriam , so unbearably sad most of the time even with the possibility of redemption and a heartwarming twist at the end . I wish I had liked it more, but there are some higher rated reviews that you should read before deciding.


I received an advanced copy of this book from Black Rose Writing through Edelweiss.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grief, flowers, colors, symbolism and heartache.

"What a shame, what a sight. A good love died tonight." - Conway Twitty

Tragedy strikes and not for the first time for Girard. His wife is missing, the car is gone, and police officers are knocking on his door. He knows his wife is missing, he does not know why, and he did not go to the police.... hmmm.... why???? He and his wife have been happily married; he gives her a flower from his greenhouse (76.4 degrees) every day. They married young but are happy, so why does he seem so unaffected by her being missing initially?

As the story progresses, Lawton begins to peel back the layers of Girard and Miriam's story. Tragedy struck 37 years ago, and it takes some time to find out just what that tragedy was. We also learn that Girard has been having panic attacks and goes to therapy. When Stacey their daughter arrives after seeing Girard on the news, I thought things would get better.... but you will need to read to learn more. What I will say that even with less than 200 pages, this is a bit of a slow burn. For once this did not bother to me. I felt this book meandered along its way very much in the way Girard was doing in this book.

This is a book about grief, loss, heartache, secrets, love, marriage, and tragedy. The green house plays a significant role as do the colors of the flowers. The colors represent emotion such as Orange which promotes positivity and encouragement. The use of colors is a great storytelling tool for this book. Each section about the colors represents Girard and Miriam's life and history.

When the ending comes, I was pleasantly surprised in a I-did-not-see-that-coming way.

Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very unusual and original book. The book really shined with symbolism and I loved the color aspect. The cover is apt as well.

***Bronze Medalist in the Adult Fiction E-Book category for the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards)

***Finalist in the Mystery category for the 2020 Book Excellence Awards

***Finalist in the Fiction category for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

***Finalist in Literary Fiction for the 2020 American Fiction Awards

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Stars

Every once in awhile I crave a read I call "offbeat" that is a little weird. It will usually involve mental problems, tragedy and death themes. This book encompassed all of these. It kept my interest just enough to hold on until the end to unravel the mystery of this depressing saga lasting 4 decades.

The main, pathetic character is one Girard Remington. As the book begins his wife of about 40 years is gone from the house. The car is missing from the garage and there is a sense of gurgling doom. There is also a regular daily routine that has been followed over the years involving a coffee break at ten in the morning and a freshly cut flower put in the vase for each day. It is quite clear that Girard dearly loves and is dedicated to his wife Miriam, but there are sick elements to it. He regularly has gone to therapy over the years and is on medication to control panic attacks and depression. A centerpiece of the story is the greenhouse outside the "living house". The greenhouse is a kind of refuge as well as botanical obsession with all sorts of psychological and spiritual implications. A monumental event occurred 37 years ago that forever changed their lives, which like pulling teeth is slowly revealed over this 194-page book.

The ending was a real curveball I wasn't expecting. This is a dark, sad and suspenseful read. While I entertained the thought of abandoning ship a third of the way through, I was curious enough to keep going. This was an okay read.

Thank you to the publisher Black Rose Writing for providing an advance reader copy via Edelweiss.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was gifted an ARC of The Green House in exchange for an honest review and I’m happy that I had the opportunity to be one of the first to read it. The main theme of this book is grief and it’s influence over the dynamics of a family, in particular the protagonist Girard. This particular topic is a bit out of my comfort zone, but there was an element of suspense and some twists and turns in the book that kept me reading.

I was surprised a bit by my reactions to the characters. The author did a great job of conveying the suffering that each was going through, yet I had some difficulty with empathizing given the levels of self-pity the characters were displaying.

One thing this story was rich with was symbolism. Colors, flowers, the green house...all well used to bring Girard’s struggles to life. I found myself wishing that I had a green greenhouse of my own!

[Olivier Delaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about death and how 67-year-old Girard Remington has to deal with its aftermath. It is not a happy story (or is it?), although one could argue that the way Girard manages to cope with the loss of his beloved wife Miriam through flowers makes it a little less heartbreaking for us to witness and dare I say a trifle more enjoyable in a poetic almost mystical kind of way. Indeed, Dan Lawton’s nimble prose flows smoothly across the pages, and while the theme remains undeniably dark, his descriptions of the titular Green House (not greenhouse, mind you) with all its lush beauty thriving within stand as refreshing oases in Girard’s desert of pain and introspection. I also like how craftily the father/daughter relationship is portrayed here, adding a believable dose of brutal realism to the narrative. Finally, I absolutely love the ending with its didn’t-see-this-one-coming twist… but I will leave it at that. No spoiler here, no siree!

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

1) Look at that cover. Very clever and advertises the fact that the reader will be learning about flowers. (My favorite flower introduction was to the bearded iris. If I can grow iris here in FL. I plan to plant a few.)

2) The length. Perfect. I felt that the plot moved along quickly and things were not over-described. I never felt that even one word was unnecessary.

3) The characters and location. Girard is a Math Professor in Helena MT. I was a math major in college and visited Helena on my travel challenge to vist every state capital, which it will take a miracle to complete. 🤔

4) The emotions. We learn that Girard has mega guilt over an event that happened 37 years before.
It consumes him. His wife Miriam is horribly affected by the tragedy, but eventually forgives him.

5) The marriage. One I would strive for. Togetherness, respect, mutual attitudes toward life.

Girard could care less about being a math professor. He has two loves: his Greenhouse and his wife.

The plot is about Miriam disappearing, where she is found, in what condition, and how this affects Girard and his daughter Stacey.

No spoilers here (I hope). Just wanting to give the potential reader plenty of reason to pick up this book and zip through it. 🤗

Comment from author to me when I first started the book and fell in love with it: I look forward to finding out what you think. There may be a surprise or two in store for you :)

And.... there WERE!!

5 stars

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about grief and loss. It felt like some of the plot points were a bit unbelievable and I didn't think it was necessary for the plot, so I wasn't sure of the point. I wish the author had delved a little deeper into the impacts all the secrets had on the parent/daughter relationship and the impact on the daughter's adult life. My favorite part of this book was the deep symbolism of the flowers and colors that are provided throughout, as well as the symbolism of the greenhouse itself. Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy - opinion is my own.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the very first ARC that I have ever received so no matter what the book was about I wanted to give it my best shot. This book was a delight to read from beginning to the ending. The story begins with Girard working in his green house. He and his wife Miriam have a routine that they follow daily. At 10:00 each morning Girard comes inside with a flower for Miriam and they have coffee. Each day he brings her a flower. But at the start of the book, when he enters the house, he knows something is wrong. Miriam is not there. The reader slowly figures out what happened to Miriam and there's references to an accident that happened 30 plus years ago. There's also a daughter, Stacy, who is estranged from her parents. As the pieces fall into place, I was saddened by the past events. Girard's grief is almost too much for him and the reader to take. I especially liked the part where Girard had to fix his dinner and he said he had not fixed a meal in 40 years, but he fixed it and was fine. All of the mysteries were solved before the ending and I was comforted to learn that Girard finally forgave himself for past mistakes he made, and seemed to have turned over a new leaf in life.

[NAN Labadens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written!
Well described! It allows you to set the scene and get drown into the story.

[Nico Genes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet soothing.

Reading this book gave me the chance to enjoy the words of an extremely talented author. With every page, words flowed beautifully and I couldn't stop admiring the author’s talent.

From the title, the reader can expect that there will be flowers in the green house and that will be somewhere in the center of the story. But this was no ordinary green house and no ordinary flowers. There was one for each day and they all had their stories. “Pink was a delicacy. Innocence was its essence, with friendship and virtue being where every relationship began—man and man; man and nature; man and spirit. Without friendship first, love had no room to blossom. Without love, there was no man. And without man, there was no spirit, and no life.”

This is a slow-paced story but it wouldn't work any other way. It’s a story of love and also of mistakes we make in life and we need to find a way to live with them, to overcome them, to not let them destroy the rest of our life. It’s a story of loss, that being the most terrible one, by losing the one you love, a family member. It’s a story of family disorders and the deep impact all the tragic events have on everyone.

And then we come again to the green house, the refugee place, at times the only therapeutic thing in Girard’s life, and ground to his love for his wife, Miriam. The green house has a secret too. This secret is 37 years old and with the intention of not spoiling you the reading experience, I let you discover it on your own.

[CorrieGM · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author gave me a copy of this book to review.

It is a strange story which Dan Lawton tells here. You get to know piece by piece what happened long ago. Every time Girard thinks about it, the reader learns something new.
In the beginning of the book, Girard is at home, alone. He does not understand where his wife is, but he does not go to the police either. Step by step the reader will come to understand why he reacts like that.
Then the police comes. The story gets even stranger. The police is as baffled as the reader is by Girards passiveness.

Slowly, a beginning of understanding for Girard is dawning.

There are beautiful poetic sentences in the story.

There is a lot to be happy about in this book. The way the writer tantalizes us with information, the poetic sentences, the abrupt turns...
But the pace is slow, far too slow.
That is why I give this book only three stars.

[Dawn Marsanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dan Lawton's prose is beautiful and allows the reader to doped effortlessly through the chapters.
As a keen gardener I loved the botanical references.
The story is very sad and full of emotion but with a clever twist towards the end.
A highly accomplished novella exploring the emotions of love and grief.
Very impressive writing.

[Robert Ullrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Green House is a moving story of love, life, death and the struggle of one man to forgive himself. The narrative is excellent, evoking emotional responses and literally painting in the readers mind. It did for me. It is a story I can relate to on a deeply personal level. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Green House to almost anyone.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC that Dan Lawton was kind enough to let me read and review.
It was sad in some areas but it was a sensitive, thought provoking story.I liked this story a lot.
The characters seemed so real to me. To me Miriam was like one of my friends. Poor Girard.
The descriptions of the green house and the flowers were amazing!
I plan on submitting it to my Book Club after it's been released.

[Greg Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This being the first book I've read by Dan Lawton, I would have to rate it somewhere between a 3-star and 4-star. (Sorry Dan....I usually round down) I will say that throughout the book I wasn't quite sure where it was leading me. That....is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. The main character experienced numerous trials and tribulations, and I found myself not feeling sorry for him in the least. From my point of view he was filled with self-pity and anger, and at times directed it toward someone who had the very same problems. A person in particular that you NEVER give up on. This behavior left me in a quandary. Is he a believer or not? Or is he a "convenient" believer? It looked as though he held a grudge against his daughter right to the end of the book. Could it be that what happened to Miriam might have a two-fold intention? Three-fold?
Happy Ending???? Depends upon your definition of a happy ending.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC that the author sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a the story of an older couple whose life was devastated by several tragic events. The characters were well drawn and the story drew me in from the first paragraph. The themes of coping with tragedy, mental health and self care are universal ones that are explored with a great deal of compassion. The characters rang true and the story unfolded in a way that was very satisfying. There was enough magical realism to keep the reader engaged. The descriptions of the flowers and the green house were vivid and found myself looking up images of each flower that was discussed. My only criticism is that the end came together a little too neatly but I would recommend this book for consideration by my book club.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day, an elderly man named Girard, finds the car gone and his wife missing. It's odd because his wife does not drive. The novel moves forward by telling readers about their past; what they have gone through over the course of their marriage. Can Girard move on without his wife? What happened to her?

I found the mystery aspect of this novel engaging especially since it's not of the predictable variety. All of my guesses about what happened were wrong, and I'm not sure even Nancy Drew could have cracked this case. The suspense kept me invested so I managed to move through the details rather quickly. Even though there are flowers and lots of living greenery, it feels like a perfect fall/winter, moody weather, suspenseful read. Since it also touches on changes despite one’s desire for preservation, Autumn 🍂 seems like the perfect time to pick up this book.

Another element that I loved were the parts about the Green House that held such an important part in the couple's hearts. The excerpts about the meanings behind the flowers gave me much to think about. These parts spoke to me about the growth that happens from mistakes and flaws. The complexities of the characters were peeled back at the perfect pace, so the reader can visualize the growth, and also maintain a certain amount of hope for the characters. It had me asking: Where would mankind be without hope?

The Greenhouse is a thought-provoking read, and I recommend it.

Source: Black Rose Writing via Netgalley gave me an Arc (e-copy) in exchange for a honest review. Thank you!

[Louanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Green Room, White House by Dan LAWTON
A surprising book where the suspense is masterful and leads us into a story of senseless disappearance, bringing to the surface an old tragedy which is an unintentional accident, having caused incurable trauma.
The atmosphere of the story is oppressive, and we slip into the heart of the hero's vacillating psyche. The choice of words is fantastic and you can feel the gamut from fear to horror at times.
A fascinating story that we will not forget!
The sudden disappearance of his wife plunges her husband crescendo into a descent into hell very realistic, sometimes macabre, but unbearable so much the words strike us deep within us.
The enigma escalates further as a burnt and inendifiable body is found in the couple's own car!
Captivating!

[Denise Share · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too was given an ARC of this by the author in return for an honest review. I’ve been mulling over my thoughts before jumping in with my opinions as this one was really not in my usual comfort zone of reading. I’d say it’s definitely one that stays with you long after reading and is beautifully written and crafted. I did struggle along with Girard’s constant pain and grief, though, and found it quite difficult to continue sometimes, but I’m so glad I did, as the story develops quite unexpectedly and is ultimately one of optimism and love.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Lawton gave me an ARC of The Green House in exchange for an honest review. It was really a good read for me, there were a few missing words here and there but not enough to take away from the story.

Girard (the main character) was hard for me to follow at times simply due to the detail Dan put into explaining Girard's thoughts, movements, and emotions throughout the story. With that said those details made you understand exactly where Girard was without leaving anything to the imagination. Overall I did enjoy The Green House, it was well written and had a great storyline with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Girard has to deal with some tremendous losses in his life and learning to deal with his emotions and depression requires the love of his wife Miriam, and a whole lot more...Well done Dan.

My thanks to Dan Lawton for trusting my opinion on The Green House.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

#3 READ AN ADVANCED BOOK COPY WHEN OFFERED TO YOU: WOW!! Was I ever surprised when Dan Lawton reached out and offered an advanced copy of The Green House in exchange for an honest review. The book actually comes out on July 30th. The setting is in Midwest Montana---not to far from home. The Greenhouse signifies life, love, comfort, death and new beginnings. There are 7 colors, 7 flowers and 7 days----interesting concept. Issues addressed were tragedy, mental health and tough love. I felt that Dan Lawton painted an amazing picture in one's mind of events occurring throughout this story. His imagery during the story certainly was captivating. I was not drawn to the book by the cover.....but the cover is very fitting for the book! I'm very happy to have been given the opportunity to read this advanced copy and would highly recommend. I think this would be a great book club read. I believe this is the 1st book I've read by this author....and I just downloaded another :)

[Josie Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Green House is a well-written story about grief, healing, and, mostly, about love.
When 67-year-old Girard loses his beloved wife Miriam, some ghosts of the past come to hunt him again.
I couldn't put it down! The perfect combination of mystery and drama with an unexpected twist at the end.

I was lucky to be gifted an ARC of The Green House in exchange for an honest review.

[Birgitta Hjalmarson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some secrets we take with us to the grave. Girard, the narrator of The Green House, even tries to hide them from himself, a strategy that proves much more dangerous than the truth. The Green House is a mystery, and as such it works wonderfully well, but it's also a penetrating study of grief and our all-too-human need to make sense.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author. I had no idea what the book was about and as I started reading it, it really intrigued me. I kept reading and by the way, the author is very, very good at writing. As I read, I started getting the pieces and it was getting really good. I am thinking this author can write so well that I am reading the story but I kept thinking he is writing something that I am not seeing. Yes, I meant to write it that way. I received the book yesterday and today was not a good day so I was reading the book. Even though the book had nothing to do with what was going on in my life, reading this story, I knew everything will be all right. When I finished this book, I was in awe of this author to have the ability to write a story that brings you to the brink and you think all is lost, only to find out that not only is nothing lost but there was a reason for the journey and because of it a life is going to be saved. I know I am not telling you much about the book because the book is like that. All is revealed when it is meant to be revealed. I finally could see what he was writing that I couldn't see. Trust me, read the book and you will see. Thank you, Dan Lawton, for the ARC, you are an amazing writer and this is a book so many will enjoy reading.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful read this is.

Girard is an elderly man, whose life clearly contains past tragedy - what that is is gradually revealed as the story unfolds.

Girard's life is one of routine, morning coffee with his wife Miriam, where he presents her each day with a flower from his green house - each day represented by a different flower. One day, Miriam is not there for coffee, she has disappeared.

As Girard struggles to cope, the green house becomes his sanctuary more than ever - the raw bare tangibility of his emotions as he digs, touches and lies in the soil is overwhelmingly poignant.

Highly recommended.

[Michelle Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sad story. The love between the two was very touching. I enjoyed reading this story.

[Carmel McCartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written account of a difficult time in life - with an unexpected twist at the end.
Enjoyed receiving an 'advanced reader's copy'.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have read in a while

This book has many emotionally charged moments throughout. Gerard and his wife have been in a car accident to start their story. But it is what happens during their lives that makes.this book so interesting.

[Sublime Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating = 4.42

Storyline & Concept = 4.5

Writing & Delivery = 4.25

Editorial = 4.5



The Green House by Dan Lawton is the story of a man’s life as portrayed through his deep love for his soulmate and wife, Miriam, and the symbolism of the green house. The man, Girard, carries burdens from his past and is struggling with a new interconnected tragedy that life has unexpectedly thrown him. The only place in which he finds peace in these moments is in his green house.

This novel illustrates both the beauty and pain that is attached to life and death. Secrets and meaning are the foundation of this green house, which he reveals to the reader at a slow, yet fitting, pace as the novel unfolds. The author compels the reader with the botanical imagery and depth of the story. He also draws us in by making us feel connected and empathetic towards Girard through his descriptive narration. He enables us to visualize Girard’s emotions using imagery from the green house and meaning from the flowers he puts out each day of the week. Although the story surrounds past trauma, it is underlined with the hope of second chances and powers connected to something larger. The story can be dark and potentially triggering at times, but it’s appropriate to the context. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an introspective and illustrative read with surprising discoveries and touching moments.

Sublime Line: “A beautifully written story of love, loss, relationships, and pain, described with powerful imagery and hidden meanings.”

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GREEN ROOM as a novel was, for me, difficult to read. I read a lot of mysteries, and there is a mystery to be found within its pages, but there is also a drama with a death and family secrets that need to be dealt with and sins of the parent being visited upon the child.

The difficulty reading Dan Lawton's novel for me comes down the heartbreak and grief that make Girard Remington almost unlikable yet wanting to know more about Girard and his wife Miriam. By the end of the novel, when all was revealed, I was glad I had spent time getting to know him and his story.

3.5 stars.

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.