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The Sower, Book Two of the Chimera Chronicles
A five-year-old unsolved murder, a U.S. senate candidate with a past to hide, and an alleged art forgery that rocks the art world: all pieces of a multi-dimensional puzzle facing Detective Ronni Brilliant and the women of the Monet Detective Agency.
Hired to solve a cold-case murder, Brilliant, a transgender former Marine MP struggling with her own sexuality, faces an unrelenting succession of threats from an unknown source, raising the suspicion that her own client, the murder victim's grandson, could be the killer. Embroiled in a controversy arising from the sale of a famous work of art, Joan Miro's The Reaper, the grandson, Hamilton Blethen, fires Brilliant, adding to the suspicion.
Driven to find the murderer by her own demons, Brilliant searches for Blethen's estranged mother, who might have information about the murder and her son's innocence, sending Brilliant down a dangerous path that leads to Magnolia Kanaranzi, a Boston media magnate in the midst of a campaign to become the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.
Propelled by her crazed quest for political power, Kanaranzi unleashes the might of her wealth and influence to keep the investigation from interfering with the election. As polls close, puzzle pieces fall in place, but the final picture is not the one Brilliant expected, realizing neither her client, nor the Senator-elect from Massachusetts, are who they appear to be.
Hired to solve a cold-case murder, Brilliant, a transgender former Marine MP struggling with her own sexuality, faces an unrelenting succession of threats from an unknown source, raising the suspicion that her own client, the murder victim's grandson, could be the killer. Embroiled in a controversy arising from the sale of a famous work of art, Joan Miro's The Reaper, the grandson, Hamilton Blethen, fires Brilliant, adding to the suspicion.
Driven to find the murderer by her own demons, Brilliant searches for Blethen's estranged mother, who might have information about the murder and her son's innocence, sending Brilliant down a dangerous path that leads to Magnolia Kanaranzi, a Boston media magnate in the midst of a campaign to become the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.
Propelled by her crazed quest for political power, Kanaranzi unleashes the might of her wealth and influence to keep the investigation from interfering with the election. As polls close, puzzle pieces fall in place, but the final picture is not the one Brilliant expected, realizing neither her client, nor the Senator-elect from Massachusetts, are who they appear to be.
311 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 18, 2021
The Sower by Rob Jung is a master class in storytelling, the mixture of genres, suspense, intrigue, love, commitment, revenge, high class society, crime, family dynamics, politics, and so much more. As the second in the Chimera Chronicles series, it is more breathtaking than the first, The Reaper. The story that was so flawlessly told in the first novel continues effortlessly in the second. The most interesting thing to me is that, though this is a series, the books can be read individually without the reader losing anything from each story. They are more intriguing read together, but they can also stand alone.
The Sower shows Jung’s true art – storytelling. He weaves threads of seemingly unrelated storylines into a tapestry that, by the end of the novel, has readers gasping when they finally put all of the apparently insignificant details together. Readers truly have to pay attention to the fine details while reading to pick up on the clues left along the way. Jung gives us greed, revenge, and jealousy in addition to love, romance, and humor. The Sower hits every emotion along its path of decades, states, countries, and plot lines.
As a high school English teacher for 26 years and one who can be a snob about contemporary literature, I am a convert. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes have nothing on Jung’s private detective agency. Edgar Allen Poe has nothing on his ability to horrify readers. The Bronte sisters have nothing on his romance element. Mary Shelley can’t rival his vocabulary or syntax.
This is a fantastic novel for any age group older teens and up who want a fast-paced, action-packed thriller, a glimpse into high society, a taste of the cut-throat political world, an example of true love and devotion, a foray into the art world, a vision of one’s past coming back to haunt him/her – just a really splendid story!
The Sower shows Jung’s true art – storytelling. He weaves threads of seemingly unrelated storylines into a tapestry that, by the end of the novel, has readers gasping when they finally put all of the apparently insignificant details together. Readers truly have to pay attention to the fine details while reading to pick up on the clues left along the way. Jung gives us greed, revenge, and jealousy in addition to love, romance, and humor. The Sower hits every emotion along its path of decades, states, countries, and plot lines.
As a high school English teacher for 26 years and one who can be a snob about contemporary literature, I am a convert. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes have nothing on Jung’s private detective agency. Edgar Allen Poe has nothing on his ability to horrify readers. The Bronte sisters have nothing on his romance element. Mary Shelley can’t rival his vocabulary or syntax.
This is a fantastic novel for any age group older teens and up who want a fast-paced, action-packed thriller, a glimpse into high society, a taste of the cut-throat political world, an example of true love and devotion, a foray into the art world, a vision of one’s past coming back to haunt him/her – just a really splendid story!
July 4, 2021
The Sower is a fast-action story with all of the twists and turns of a continually deepening mystery happening from small-town Minnesota to the bigger cities of the east and west – all within a short 113 days. Although the author ensures the reader that The Sower can be read as a stand-alone novel (true!), it is fascinating to see his characters continue to evolve from the first book in the Chimera Chronicles, The Reaper, especially Magnolia Kanaranzi and Hamilton and Toni Blethen. Together, the members of the Monet Detective Agency, Naomi (Ronni) Brilliant, Holly Bouquet and Carrie Waters, introduced at the end of the Reaper and hired by the Blethens to solve the murder of Hamilton (Ham) Blethen’s grandmother, Lorraine Blethen, adapt to the many challenges thrown at them, including overt and covert threats, and even kidnapping. As you continue reading, you feel more and more that you actually know Ronnie and the Blethens. As for Magnolia, you wonder if you’d actually like to know her. The introduction of Decker, a detective, as transgender Ronnie’s love interest and fellow sleuth, adds so much to the search for Hamilton’s grandmother’s killer and for his biological mother. The author’s descriptive writing style further enhances the reader’s enjoyment of experiencing locations that many of us have neither visited or imagined. Can’t wait for third book in the Chimera Chronicles to discover – is the Reaper painting real or is it a forgery? I must reveal that I was given an advance copy of this book by the author; however, it in no way affected my opinion of this book.
May 19, 2021
Rob Jung’s “The Sower” is his best work to date and an excellent read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery tale.
His creative intertwining of the vagaries of the art world; the strange workings of the criminal mind; the lively and current issues surrounding gender identity; and the mostly unseen gulf that exists between the day-to-day metropolitan lifestyle and that of small-town America all combine to create a story that, once started, is hard to put down.
Ronnie Brilliant is a compelling heroine and her humanity is readily apparent throughout. Ham’s struggles with the disabilities he must accept and the exceptional talent with which he has been blessed are realistically portrayed and also ring true. Magnolia is true to our expectations for someone who has obtained wealth and power through nefarious means. She feels entitled to her successes and is clueless to the harm that she does to all around her.
My favorite is Bob Decker. He surprises as a cop, a friend and a lover that is both human and humane. We’d all be happy to have Bob Decker in our world.
As I do with any good novel, I became engaged. I wanted the good guys to win. I wanted the guilty punished. I wanted the victims avenged. I wanted the lovers to find happiness.
I hated for this book to end and I can’t wait for the next one to come
NOTE: As a reader and fan of his previous works, I was able to obtain an advance copy of this book. Having done so did not relate to or affect my thoughts expressed above.
His creative intertwining of the vagaries of the art world; the strange workings of the criminal mind; the lively and current issues surrounding gender identity; and the mostly unseen gulf that exists between the day-to-day metropolitan lifestyle and that of small-town America all combine to create a story that, once started, is hard to put down.
Ronnie Brilliant is a compelling heroine and her humanity is readily apparent throughout. Ham’s struggles with the disabilities he must accept and the exceptional talent with which he has been blessed are realistically portrayed and also ring true. Magnolia is true to our expectations for someone who has obtained wealth and power through nefarious means. She feels entitled to her successes and is clueless to the harm that she does to all around her.
My favorite is Bob Decker. He surprises as a cop, a friend and a lover that is both human and humane. We’d all be happy to have Bob Decker in our world.
As I do with any good novel, I became engaged. I wanted the good guys to win. I wanted the guilty punished. I wanted the victims avenged. I wanted the lovers to find happiness.
I hated for this book to end and I can’t wait for the next one to come
NOTE: As a reader and fan of his previous works, I was able to obtain an advance copy of this book. Having done so did not relate to or affect my thoughts expressed above.
May 21, 2021
The Sower, the second book in the Chimera Chronicles Series, catches up with some familiar characters from the first book (The Reaper) as Blethen, an art copier and the unlikely protagonist is bequeathed a rare piece of art thought to be lost forever. This story opens with Blethen meeting Private Investigators to help him solve some mysteries from his past and it is through PI Veronica Brilliant’s investigation that the reader is taken on a twisted path through the art world, politics, and intrigue. There is mystery and suspense, danger and lies throughout the story that leave you questioning what you think you know as each character proves to be more complex and human than originally expected. Beyond the characters, author Rob Jung manages to take the reader on a journey through the heart of Boston and around Minneapolis in a way that makes you feel like you are there. Having lived in both cities, it was a wonderful experience, even if seeing the “Boston” accent written out was a little muddy. The story leave you wanting to know what happens next in each character’s life. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Where some mysteries fall flat due to obvious plot lines, this book keeps you guessing and makes for an excellent, fast-paced read that I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy a great story, this would appeal to most readers whether they prefer mysteries or not.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book to read free of charge and it has not influenced my opinion or review of the book.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book to read free of charge and it has not influenced my opinion or review of the book.
May 22, 2021
The Sower: Book Two of the Chimera Chronicles by Rob Jung
Although the Sower is a sequel to an earlier book, The Reaper, I had no problem picking up where this book started, even though I had not read the first book.
The main character, Ronni, is a transwoman and the head of an all female detective agency. She is caught up in a complicated web of an unsolved murder, art theft, child abandonment and dirty politics. She is assisted by her two colleagues—one an intellectual and the other a psychic. In her work she runs into Hamilton, who created and sold copies of famous art until he was seriously injured in an assault, Magnolia, a former heroin addict who is running for US, and Hawke, a fixer from Barcelona.
The characters are all interesting in their own right, the story line is thoroughly engaging and to add to the mix, there is romance. Anyone interested in mysteries and/or art is sure to find this book difficult to put down.
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Sower for purposes of review. The above review reflects my objective opinion of the book, and receipt of a free copy did not affect my opinion nor my review.
Although the Sower is a sequel to an earlier book, The Reaper, I had no problem picking up where this book started, even though I had not read the first book.
The main character, Ronni, is a transwoman and the head of an all female detective agency. She is caught up in a complicated web of an unsolved murder, art theft, child abandonment and dirty politics. She is assisted by her two colleagues—one an intellectual and the other a psychic. In her work she runs into Hamilton, who created and sold copies of famous art until he was seriously injured in an assault, Magnolia, a former heroin addict who is running for US, and Hawke, a fixer from Barcelona.
The characters are all interesting in their own right, the story line is thoroughly engaging and to add to the mix, there is romance. Anyone interested in mysteries and/or art is sure to find this book difficult to put down.
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Sower for purposes of review. The above review reflects my objective opinion of the book, and receipt of a free copy did not affect my opinion nor my review.
March 19, 2025
This is the second book in the series, this time, we follow Blethen, an art copier, who becomes the unlikely hero after being given a rare piece of art believed to be lost. The story start off with Blethen meeting a Private Investigator to help him uncover some mysteries from his past. This investigation gives the reader a story full of art, politics, and intrigue.
There’s suspense, danger, and plenty of lies that will keep you second-guessing everything you think you know. Every character turns out to be more complex than you first imagined, and that’s what really makes this story so engaging. This book is a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing at every turn, and it leaves you eager to know what happens next with each character. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. If you’re a fan of great stories, whether or not you typically read mysteries, this book is definitely worth checking out. Highly recommended!
There’s suspense, danger, and plenty of lies that will keep you second-guessing everything you think you know. Every character turns out to be more complex than you first imagined, and that’s what really makes this story so engaging. This book is a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing at every turn, and it leaves you eager to know what happens next with each character. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. If you’re a fan of great stories, whether or not you typically read mysteries, this book is definitely worth checking out. Highly recommended!
June 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book: great characters, a compelling plot, and some excellently suspenseful chapter endings! I read it on my breaks at work, which made the sudden stops in reading difficult to endure - I just wanted to know what happened next! The Sower is a well-written book in it’s own right, yet is actually a sequel to The Reaper. I did not read The Reaper before reading The Sower (though I will be going back to do so now that I know about it!), but I had no trouble following the plot or characters. Also, never did I feel as though I was missing out on things that I should have known. I definitely recommend The Sower for an escape into a well-written and intriguing whodunit.
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Sower for purposes of review. The above review reflects my objective opinion of the book, and receipt of a free copy did not affect my opinion nor my review.
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Sower for purposes of review. The above review reflects my objective opinion of the book, and receipt of a free copy did not affect my opinion nor my review.
April 3, 2025
Even though The Sower is the second book in the Chimera Chronicles, I had no trouble jumping right in without reading the first one. The story pulls you in fast!
Ronni, the main character, is a transwoman and runs an all-female detective agency. She gets tangled up in a crazy mix of mysteries—there’s an old murder, stolen art, abandoned kids, and some shady political moves. Her team includes two unique partners—one is super smart, the other has psychic abilities. Along the way, we meet some really interesting characters, like Hamilton, an art forger who got badly injured, Magnolia, a former addict now running for office, and Hawke, a mysterious fixer from Barcelona.
The plot keeps you hooked, and the characters all have depth, making it a fun, fast read. Plus, there’s even some romance thrown in! If you love mysteries or stories about art, this one’s worth picking up.
Ronni, the main character, is a transwoman and runs an all-female detective agency. She gets tangled up in a crazy mix of mysteries—there’s an old murder, stolen art, abandoned kids, and some shady political moves. Her team includes two unique partners—one is super smart, the other has psychic abilities. Along the way, we meet some really interesting characters, like Hamilton, an art forger who got badly injured, Magnolia, a former addict now running for office, and Hawke, a mysterious fixer from Barcelona.
The plot keeps you hooked, and the characters all have depth, making it a fun, fast read. Plus, there’s even some romance thrown in! If you love mysteries or stories about art, this one’s worth picking up.
March 15, 2025
Guys, the way the story blends together with the complexities of the art world, the twisted nature of the criminal mind, and themes like gender identity is so amazing. It creates a story that’s not only engaging but also thought-provoking. It’s an exciting mix of big city life versus small-town struggles, and once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down.
Ronnie is such a strong, captivating heroine, and her humanity really shines through in the story. Bob Decker stands out as a cop, a friend, and a lover & he is relatable and compassionate. He’s the kind of person we’d all want around.
I was completely hooked on this book, cheering for the good guys to win, hoping the guilty would get what they deserve. Must read guys!!
Ronnie is such a strong, captivating heroine, and her humanity really shines through in the story. Bob Decker stands out as a cop, a friend, and a lover & he is relatable and compassionate. He’s the kind of person we’d all want around.
I was completely hooked on this book, cheering for the good guys to win, hoping the guilty would get what they deserve. Must read guys!!
March 25, 2025
This was such a fun, fast read! Even though it’s the second in Rob Jung’s series, you don’t need to read the first one to enjoy it. The story follows private detective Ronnie Brilliant and her crew as they try to crack a seemingly perfect murder in small-town Minnesota.
The twist? We already know who did it—the real thrill is watching Ronnie put the puzzle pieces together. There are a lot of characters, and some don’t add much, but the main ones, especially Ronnie and Kanaranzi, are fantastic. Also, I really liked how the book portrays a transgender detective in a natural, empathetic way—so refreshing to see! If you’re from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, you’ll get a kick out of the familiar settings. Definitely worth a read if you love fast-moving mysteries with strong characters.
The twist? We already know who did it—the real thrill is watching Ronnie put the puzzle pieces together. There are a lot of characters, and some don’t add much, but the main ones, especially Ronnie and Kanaranzi, are fantastic. Also, I really liked how the book portrays a transgender detective in a natural, empathetic way—so refreshing to see! If you’re from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, you’ll get a kick out of the familiar settings. Definitely worth a read if you love fast-moving mysteries with strong characters.
May 19, 2021
Jung creates an intriguing cast of characters who immediately drew me into the story. I loved the trio of female detectives and was entirely absorbed as they attempted to uncover the mysteries involving hidden identities, art forgery, and murder.
Jung demonstrates an ability to create believable, real characters that are easy to care about and a story that has enough twists and turns to keep a mystery reader involved.
I do recommend that readers do read The Reaper, Book One of the Chimera Chronicles first as that will enhance their enjoyment and understanding of the conflicts in The Reaper.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book but that did not affect my opinion.
Jung demonstrates an ability to create believable, real characters that are easy to care about and a story that has enough twists and turns to keep a mystery reader involved.
I do recommend that readers do read The Reaper, Book One of the Chimera Chronicles first as that will enhance their enjoyment and understanding of the conflicts in The Reaper.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book but that did not affect my opinion.
March 25, 2025
Rob Jung is a great storyteller, and this book is a real page-turner. The story follows Ronni Brilliant, a former Marine MP, who is hired to work on a cold case murder. Her investigation takes her from Minnesota to Massachusetts, uncovering not just the mystery but also her own personal struggles. Along the way, she gets tangled in a forged painting sale and some shady political dealings. The book is packed with twists and turns, and the characters are really well written. If you love a good thriller with a mix of mystery and intrigue, this one’s definitely worth reading!
April 22, 2025
Rob Jung’s "The Sower" picks up where "The Reaper" left off, diving deeper into an unsolved murder and the mystery of a famous painting. The story is packed with unexpected twists that keep you hooked. The three female detectives come from different backgrounds, but they all share a strong sense of justice and professionalism. The book pulls you in right from the start and keeps you turning the pages.
I received a free advance copy of "The Sower" for review, but that didn’t influence my thoughts—this is my honest take on the book!
I received a free advance copy of "The Sower" for review, but that didn’t influence my thoughts—this is my honest take on the book!
May 19, 2021
The all female detective agency run by Ronny Brilliant is hired to investigate a murder from the past. Intrigue that leads to politics, fake masterpieces and personal relationships helped this reader get engrossed in this page turner.
I love Ronny who, as a transgender woman, is present to her true self and a Shero in unfolding this convoluted mystery.
I received a free copy of this book but it did not influence my review.
I love Ronny who, as a transgender woman, is present to her true self and a Shero in unfolding this convoluted mystery.
I received a free copy of this book but it did not influence my review.
November 1, 2022
Interesting book. Topical, especially now during election time. A protagonist who is trans was quite fascinating, but she didn't exactly fit the mold of most heroic detectives. She didn't really "solve" any mysteries. The ending was abrupt and without much suspense, but the improbable story was engaging nonetheless. Alway enjoy books with a Minnesota connection. Oh, and why was the title The Sower? What did I miss?
July 7, 2021
Engaging, fast moving story and diverse characters. The protagonist is a PI, so the primary storyline revolves around solving a mystery. However, there is also drama and romance as well. Even though this says it is book two, this is easiy read as a stand alone.
May 4, 2021
Gulped down this book as quickly as I could. Great, quick moving story, each chapter leads you to binge more. Lead characters feel good to cheer for.
July 17, 2021
This book is the second in a series, and I haven’t read the first one, but it works as a standalone. It continues the story of The Reaper, a still-lost painting by Spanish artist Joan Miro, which disappeared from the 1937 Paris Exposition.
Trans P.I. Ronni’s detective agency is investigating the cold case murder of Lorraine Blethen, hired by the woman’s grandson, Hamilton. But someone is trying to stop her, slashing her tire, burgling her house—transphobes? or someone trying to thwart her investigation?
Hamilton’s only clue regarding the existence of his mother, who left him when he was 4, was an enigmatic graduation card signed ‘Magnolia’. Could Massachusetts senatorial candidate Magnolia Kanaranzi, with her connections to media mogul Arthur Kincaid, have had a secret love child? No one seems to have any information on Magnolia’s childhood. Now, the museum has received a tip-off that The Reaper, sold to them by Hamilton, is a forgery.
Ronni tries multiple lines of inquiry, and multiple suspects pop up. There’s a spate of trans murders in Dallas. Meanwhile, shenanigans are kicking off in Magnolia’s senatorial campaign, and disgruntled staff from her election campaign enter the picture.
It’s very carefully edited. The characters are interesting, the dialogue lifelike, and the writing style fluent and witty. I feel compelled to mention the cleverest description I’ve ever come across of someone who has undergone a sex change—'a “T” in that familiar string of letters (LGBTQ), and a relative newcomer to the status of “W”’.
As someone who has not read the first book in the series, I would have appreciated a brief rehash of what happened in Book 1. The detective investigation is interesting and believable, and the multiple story lines make the plot quite complex, and it even has a love story. The Lorraine Blethen plotline and the Magnolia Kanaranzi plotline come together at the end in a thoroughly satisfying way. This novel has all the elements of a great crime thriller.
Trans P.I. Ronni’s detective agency is investigating the cold case murder of Lorraine Blethen, hired by the woman’s grandson, Hamilton. But someone is trying to stop her, slashing her tire, burgling her house—transphobes? or someone trying to thwart her investigation?
Hamilton’s only clue regarding the existence of his mother, who left him when he was 4, was an enigmatic graduation card signed ‘Magnolia’. Could Massachusetts senatorial candidate Magnolia Kanaranzi, with her connections to media mogul Arthur Kincaid, have had a secret love child? No one seems to have any information on Magnolia’s childhood. Now, the museum has received a tip-off that The Reaper, sold to them by Hamilton, is a forgery.
Ronni tries multiple lines of inquiry, and multiple suspects pop up. There’s a spate of trans murders in Dallas. Meanwhile, shenanigans are kicking off in Magnolia’s senatorial campaign, and disgruntled staff from her election campaign enter the picture.
It’s very carefully edited. The characters are interesting, the dialogue lifelike, and the writing style fluent and witty. I feel compelled to mention the cleverest description I’ve ever come across of someone who has undergone a sex change—'a “T” in that familiar string of letters (LGBTQ), and a relative newcomer to the status of “W”’.
As someone who has not read the first book in the series, I would have appreciated a brief rehash of what happened in Book 1. The detective investigation is interesting and believable, and the multiple story lines make the plot quite complex, and it even has a love story. The Lorraine Blethen plotline and the Magnolia Kanaranzi plotline come together at the end in a thoroughly satisfying way. This novel has all the elements of a great crime thriller.
August 25, 2023
Rob Jung is a recommended MN author in 6/11 Pioneer Press. The recommended book is Judgment Day but book isn't available as of 6/11 in libraries so trying out author.
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