Michael W. Thomas

The Erkeley Shadow by Michael W. Thomas was revised twice to turn this into a full novel. Will Apland takes to reading a suicide confession left at the Saskatoon Police Force. Bored with the prospect of spending a Halloween along with his wife and kids visiting family, Will decides to read it. It ends up changing Will’s life in a way he never expected.

I found The Erkeley Shadow by Michael W. Thomas confusing at first, trying to keep all the names straight in Will’s and Jonathan’s timelines. But as I read further, I couldn’t put it down. Michael W. Thomas has almost a poetic way of writing as he describes events. I was wrapped up in their lives as it unfolded. I highly recommend this contemporary literary and would recommend this author.… (more)

It takes readers back to 1967, a time of big changes and personal challenges for Jonathan Parry and his family as they get ready to move to Canada. However, Jonathan carries a troubling secret, which he shares through a detailed notebook that ends up in the hands of Will Apland, a member of the Saskatoon Police Force.

At first, Will sees Jonathan's story as a way to pass the time over a lonely Halloween weekend. But as he reads deeper into the notebook, Will becomes more affected by Jonathan's experiences. What starts as curiosity turns into an obsession, as the dark emotions from one man's past begin to take over Will's thoughts.

The author's skill in capturing the atmosphere of the 1960s adds richness to the story, creating a vivid backdrop for the characters' lives. Themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for forgiveness echo throughout the book, making the story a captivating read that lingers in the mind even after the story ends.… (more)

This book is a captivating tale that has been drafted with beautiful emotions. The story follows a Canadian scholar whose life is afflicted by an old experience that occurred 50 years ago in a school. While looking through a journal that was discovered at Jonathan Parry's suicide scene, Saskatoon cop Will Apland discovers this sinister fact. Beginning with Parry's adolescent years in England, the journal discloses a troubling 1967 incident that had a profound impact on him. The cop, Will, discovers similarities with his own challenges when he digs deeper. He gets deeper into this trauma and struggles to deal with his present situation. This emotional story examines the long-term effects and destructive force of guilt. This is a unique book that immediately engrosses you in the story with impeccable story-telling. The writing is simultaneously forceful and poignant. The characters are well defined and serve their purpose to keep the story real. I highly recommend it to people who like reading a subtle and calm text with moderate speed.… (more)

I loved Michael W. Thomas’ writing in this book. The story goes through Jonathan Parry’s life, from his young schooldays to his adult life emigrating to Canada, and his life changing incident within that time. The story explores the idea of how burying past hurts and troubles can come back to ruin future opportunities, and whether it is due to the incident itself or the guilt and misery felt afterwards. The characters are complex and detailed, and watching them spiral and the downfall of Jonathan Parry, is emotional and gut-wrenching. This book made me feel everything, from joy to misery. This author is a skilled writer and I cannot wait to read more of his works. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking book that you can immerse yourself in, this is the one!… (more)