It’s been 15 years since retired dentist Ernest Schanilec embarked on his second career as a mystery novelist. Twelve novels later, Schanilec’s favorite protagonist Tom Hastings is a married man, who wants nothing more than to bring his wife Samantha along on a nostalgic trip from their home in New Dresden, Minn. (which closely resembles Schanilec’s own hometown, Vergas), to visit his family’s historic haunts in western Missouri. Unfortunately, Bone Erlock, whose great grandfather was killed by Tom’s great grandfather in an altercation, still bears a grudge toward the Hastings clan and is out for a little “Revenge.” His urge to avenge his great grandfather by killing the great grandson of his killer is exacerbated when Tom, a criminal investigator by trade, is instrumental in bringing his nephew Brit Erlock to justice for his role in a string of Minnesota robberies. Much like Tom’s great grandfather Thomas Hastings took on Bone’s great grandfather in “Gray Riders,” “they (the descendants of the two men) end up doing battle in the present day,” says Schanilec.
Fans of the Hastings mystery novels, as well as those which take a look back into the Hastings clan’s Civil War-era history, will appreciate how “Revenge” ties the past and present together. Schanilec says he was drawn to writing from a young age, when one of his English teachers encouraged him by reading one of his short stories aloud in class. But it wasn’t until he retired from his career as a dentist in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and became a permanent resident of Rose Lake near Vergas, that he decided to try his hand at writing full time. “I met some ladies who told me my imagination was really strong, and recommended that I start writing - so I did,” Schanilec says. Despite the fact that his novels often depict violent crimes, Civil War battles and other gritty subject matter, Schanilec says he strives to use only “respectful and honorable” language (i.e., free of curse words) in his writing. While his books are available for sale at local outlets including Book World in Detroit Lakes, Seip Drug in Frazee and Menahga, Bev’s Book Nook in Perham and several Vergas locations including Goodman’s, the Attic Shop and Spanky’s Stone Hearth, Schanilec says, “I’m selling mostly at arts and crafts fairs these days.” For more information, please visit the author’s website at www.hastingsnovels.com. Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes. Tweets by @DLNewspapersIt’s been 15 years since retired dentist Ernest Schanilec embarked on his second career as a mystery novelist.Twelve novels later, Schanilec’s favorite protagonist Tom Hastings is a married man, who wants nothing more than to bring his wife Samantha along on a nostalgic trip from their home in New Dresden, Minn. (which closely resembles Schanilec’s own hometown, Vergas), to visit his family’s historic haunts in western Missouri.Unfortunately, Bone Erlock, whose great grandfather was killed by Tom’s great grandfather in an altercation, still bears a grudge toward the Hastings clan and is out for a little “Revenge.”His urge to avenge his great grandfather by killing the great grandson of his killer is exacerbated when Tom, a criminal investigator by trade, is instrumental in bringing his nephew Brit Erlock to justice for his role in a string of Minnesota robberies.Much like Tom’s great grandfather Thomas Hastings took on Bone’s great grandfather in “Gray Riders,” “they (the descendants of the two men) end up doing battle in the present day,” says Schanilec.
Fans of the Hastings mystery novels, as well as those which take a look back into the Hastings clan’s Civil War-era history, will appreciate how “Revenge” ties the past and present together.Schanilec says he was drawn to writing from a young age, when one of his English teachers encouraged him by reading one of his short stories aloud in class.But it wasn’t until he retired from his career as a dentist in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and became a permanent resident of Rose Lake near Vergas, that he decided to try his hand at writing full time.“I met some ladies who told me my imagination was really strong, and recommended that I start writing - so I did,” Schanilec says.Despite the fact that his novels often depict violent crimes, Civil War battles and other gritty subject matter, Schanilec says he strives to use only “respectful and honorable” language (i.e., free of curse words) in his writing.While his books are available for sale at local outlets including Book World in Detroit Lakes, Seip Drug in Frazee and Menahga, Bev’s Book Nook in Perham and several Vergas locations including Goodman’s, the Attic Shop and Spanky’s Stone Hearth, Schanilec says, “I’m selling mostly at arts and crafts fairs these days.”For more information, please visit the author’s website at www.hastingsnovels.com.Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.Tweets by @DLNewspapers
