Deep Into the Weeds

by Willie Handler

A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere!


Preston McPherson thought he could save his troubled dairy farm by growing marijuana, but his problems were only just beginning.

With the help of his brother-in-law and local police sergeant, Fergus Becker, he signs an agreement with a cannabis distributor, Green Fields, but money is still tight. When a greenhouse break-in sends Preston deeper into the red, Fergus-- not exactly a model cop--comes up with a scheme to sell marijuana illegally to a drug dealer.

Over time, Preston sets up a secret grow-op, launders the proceeds, and becomes involved in robbery and even murder. At the same time, he needs to bluff his way through government inspections, deal with a local group of women bible-thumpers who are picketing his farm, address the growing demands from the drug peddler, and stay one step ahead of the persistent small-town cop who has been investigating a series of local crimes. If any of them catch up with him, Preston risks losing his farm, going to jail, or being found floating at the bottom of a lake with cement shoes.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2022

About the author

Willie Handler has reinvented himself on several occasions throughout his work career. He has been a hospital administrator, a government policy manager, an insurance expert, and consultant. Following his retirement from the government, Willie began a writing career. He has published three fiction novels over the past few years. His latest book is a memoir focusing on growing up as a child of Holocaust survivors.

Willie is active in Toronto’s Holocaust second generation and third generation survivor community, participating in educational programs, commemorative events, and group discussions. He is also a volunteer at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, where he assists students and visitors as they make their way through the museum’s gallery. Willie has spoken online and at in-person events on the Holocaust and his family’s experience. He is currently working on a book dealing with generational trauma in descendants of Holocaust survivors.

Reviews

[Luvsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder what would happen if your way of life, your livelihood, your family’s legacy suddenly went to pot? Dairy Farmer, Preston McPherson “Mac”, is about to find out. The hard way. When offered a way out, it doesn’t sit well with him. As Mac will tell anybody and everybody, “Don’t forget, agriculture is the backbone of this country. Farmers put up with random weather, pestilence, and pollution to protect our land and ensure that Canadians have fresh, safe, and healthy produce to eat. We have been the economic engine of this country since before Confederation.” Unfortunately for Mac, the world has changed and the only way not to lose his beloved farm, is to go into the Cannabis growing business. What happens next is a series of events that had me on edge. It was like watching dominoes fall, knocking each other down in a winding path of chaos. With witty dialog, down to earth characters, and narrow-minded societal views, I couldn’t wait to read how this would all play out. And wowzer, that ending! Willie Handler (ok, gotta love this name!) is a master story-teller; I zipped through this book and couldn’t turn each page fast enough. On a personal note, I loved the Canadian to Michigan border part of the story, being from Michigan myself! If you enjoy dark humor with grit, determination, backbone, and yes, some idiocy, read this book. It’s fun, fresh, and relevant to what’s going on in the world. Absolutely loved it!

(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author. The opinions stated are expressly my own)

[Stephen Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...#

Deep Into the Weeds

Willie Handler, Canadian Humorist and author, has written an entertaining and fast-paced novel with dark comedic overtones.

His “Deep into the Weeds” novel offers the reader compelling family characters who find themselves in increasingly deeper doo doo as they struggle to save their four-generation family business. As with any family, there are disagreements about solutions; but in the end, Mac, the protagonist, has to decide how to save the business. His subsequent decisions lead to unexpected obstacles. Just when Mac solves one crisis, another appears. Think about Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Aiding or resisting Mac’s well-intended efforts include a demented mom, a skeptical spouse, a loyal daughter, an amoral law enforcement brother-in-law, and a not-too bright ranch hand. Adding to this mix, are some crazy town folks, drug dealers, blackmailers, money launderers, and a lovable cow who speaks moo.

The beginning of the family business story led you down one path. By the time you finish, you have traveled a completely different road. But throughout, the humorous instincts of the protagonist allows the reader to enjoy this literary ride. Spoiler alert. The ending will surprise you.

A definite must read to tickle your funny bone while enjoying a mystery/suspense in progress.

[Wm. Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced and well-researched journey through the ups and many downs of a family farm trying to cope with change and stay above water, Deep Into the Weeds takes you on a journey that will have you laughing at parts and shouting at the pages in others. You can't help but route for Mac and his family to make it all work despite the obstacles that continuously fall into their path. A fun read!

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read any of Willie's books before, then you know what's in store! Brilliantly clever writing, witty dialogue, laugh out loud moments and generally a good old romp through a story of a failing farm, a dodgy police officer, and a hilariously great idea to start selling 'weed'. Willie writes with an easy manner, a sharp wit, and a clever way with story telling. I highly recommend this!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deep Into the Weeds" imagines the adventures of a small town dairy farmer whose financial struggles push him into the new frontier of legalized cannabis in Canada. A hilarious cast of characters and a series of unlikely, but not too unlikely, events keep "Deep Into the Weeds" moving at a swift pace. I got pulled into the story right away and found myself reading furiously as I needed to know how things would turn out for our endearing curmudgeon, Mac, and his farm. It becomes a (dark) comedy of errors as we watch Mac do everything he can to keep his family's legacy alive.

"Deep Into the Weeds" is an entertaining tale of the changing landscape of farming in a country where agriculture has long been one of its primary industries. While mostly just good fun, Handler's story raises some real questions about this changing industry, as well as how we adapt in the face of adversity while holding onto the things we hold precious.

[Eric Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farmers are the backbone of Canada, ensuring safe and healthy produce to eat. But when dairy farmer Preston McPherson can no longer make ends meet, he must turn to a more lucrative crop. With the aid of his corrupt brother-in-law Sergeant Fergus Becker, Preston converts his family farm into a legal marijuana growing operation. As Norfolk County’s newest cannabis grower, Preston faces a new set of pressures. From the daily protests outside his farm, government inspectors, gangsters, and a cannabis-eating cow, this simple farmer is thrown into a world that leaves him Deep into the Weeds.

From humorist and author Willie Handler comes a biting commentary on the legal marijuana industry. Handler, who hails from Canada, takes a dark turn in his new book that deals with the mishaps of a budding entrepreneur. Preston’s exploits in Ontario feel a bit like a combination of Breaking Bad” and Fargo, complete with everyday absurdity and clumsiness of straddling criminality and its optics. North American readers on either side of the border may appreciate Handler’s characters as they hilariously maintain the overly polite, Tim Horton drinking Canadian stereotypes in the face of difficult scenarios. Handler’s dry satirical style ranges from slightly absurd to laugh-out-loud funny. Deep into the Weeds is bound to grow on you.


This review was originally published at https://manhattanbookreview.com/produ...

[Sofe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook Review: DEEP INTO THE WEEDS by Willie Handler

(D) oes
(E) verything
(E) ventually
(P) lummet

( I ) nitially
(N) othing
(T) akes
(O) n

(T) o
(H) ope...
(E) valuate...

(W) hat
(E) rupts
(E) scapes
(D) efining
(S) urreal

DEEP INTO THE WEEDS...
To find what was lost.

Long the path taken...
Decisions made and their consequences.

Once a dairy farmer...
Now into entirely new profession.

What would you do...
Question not easily answered.

It's quite a story...
With lots of interesting surprises.

Rides like roller coaster...
Oh my, here we go!

*************************************************
I received an advance review copy for free,
and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*************************************************

[Gary McGugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this reader who lived the first 12 years of his life within miles of the setting Willie Handler uses for this story, I can attest that he captured the essence of the town folks. He accomplished that feat with humor, lots of humor!

I'm not sure how he became such an expert in the cultivation of cannabis, but Willie demonstrated apparent knowledge that added credible plausibility to his tale.

I found this story a fun read from cover to cover. I've already downloaded "Loved Mars Hated the Food." It looks like another fun read!

[Barbara Daniels Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Into the Weeds is an exceptional dive into the mind of a desperate man. I enjoyed the journey and watching how he found a way out of his financial difficulty, unusual as it was. The characters were well defined and so true to life in this situation. I adored Mum. Not knowing what to expect from her made her all that more enjoyable. And Ferg is that character you want to hate but love to have there. I hope there is a sequel to Deep in the Woods, as I want to know what happened after that twist of an ending.

[Vickie Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheers for the Everyday Man

Loved this book! It ended so perfectly! Made me cheer for the characters who were just wanting to preserve their family history and live their lives. Showed how the world no longer helps everyday people. No empathy from the bank, big businesses taking advantage of their situation, and then the criminal element stepping in too! Backed into a corner with no way out.

[Carl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not impressed by this book. It started okay however about halfway through I began to be concerned the ending would be weak and I was not disappointed in that regard. I feel cheated because the book did not resolve any of the problems that were raised and the main character just suddenly is fatally shot and then about two sentences later the book ends. Nonsense.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that will have you questioning just how far you would go to save your family’s farm. As the protagonist, Mac, finds himself getting deeper and deeper into trouble, the reader is left wondering just how he will be able to dig himself out and prevail.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! It's a 4.5 star book.

The author has a way of sharing the main character's anxiety right down to me feeling the need to grab antacids.

Excellent plot, fabulous pacing, a pet cow, and grandma is a hoot.

[Gail McLaren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I loved this story! As I sit here smoking one and laughing at the crazy situations. No matter what he did, he got screwed. The ending was a surprise, didn't see that coming.