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Mary E Martin
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The Osgoode Trilogy: Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One.
Not Your Usual Whodunits, Whydunits of Howdunits!
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I’m Mary Martin, author of The Osgoode Trilogy, which is comprised of Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One—all in the legal suspense genre.
As the year draws to an end, I find that it brings much reflection. The word "unprecedented" is used a lot on television and radio when the state of the economy and the world is being described. And that may well be so, but I like to find solace and "cheer" in reading one of my favourite authors Joseph Campbell. He was a great writer and thinker who viewed the world in mythological terms...the idea of cycles in the development of mankind.
I like to think we are in a period of upheaval,much like the birth pangs of a new period. I like to think that all our efforts toward globalization are really leading us to the understanding that we are the human race, not a huge number of different races. And so, that is where I find some comfort.
I have just completed a fifth draft of my fourth novel, which may be provisionally entitled The Drawing Lesson. It has a different protagonist...not lawyer Harry Jenkins, of The Osgoode Trilogy. Instead, I'm into the world of art and the protagonist, Alexander Wainwright, is a famous British landscape artist. Still, much work lies ahead, but I hope to have it published in 2009. With any luck, Alexander Wainwright is a sufficiently strong character to warrant a trilogy of his own.
But for now, if you’re looking for some excitement, you can “try out” a number of each of the chapters in the three novels as I have been posting them here in my story department. I hope that will lead you to buy your own copies. They’re not your usual whodunits, whydunits or howdunits.
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You may have seen in my story department that I’ve been publishing chapters from Conduct in Question and Final Paradox. Now I’ve started posting the first few chapters of A Trial of One. Can I entice you into buying your own copy?
In the trilogy, I’ve constructed the work a day world of law, where I spent thirty years in practice. Lots of murder and fraud in those novels! But I found other ideas creeping in, such as, the meaning of love and compassion.
And so, those themes have led to a different world—that of a British landscape artist named Alexander Wainwright, the protagonist of a fourth novel. In his world, I’ll be exploring issues of love, tolerance, forgiveness and compassion as well as raising the question Do we live in a random universe?
I came across a quote from Henrik Ibsen about writing which seems to suit my mood as I am writing this novel, particularly since this artist/protagonist starts painting trolls in his landscapes.
“To live is to battle with trolls
in the vaults of the heart and the brain
To write: That is to sit in judgment over oneself.”
In September 2007, the third novel in the trilogy was published, A Trial of One. I’m pleased that this third novel has won the award for literary fiction from Readers Views and it is a finalist in Foreword Magazine’s book of the year award. The second novel, Final Paradox, won an honorable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival 2007 and A Trial of One received honorable mention at the DIY Convention and the London Book Festival.
The completion of the trilogy represents the close of a long period in my life...the writing of three novels which trace the growth and development of Harry Jenkins. In the space of eighteen months in his life, he grows from a tentative, indecisive soul to one who can live his life with energy, passion and conviction. How does this happen? Harry's complacent, but stifling life is blown apart by the murder and fraud he encounters in his practice of law. And, I've thrown a lot of questions at Harry such as: "How much money is enough?" "What is love and how do you learn to forgive when you are surrounded by murder, fraud and deceit?" And in A Trial of One, Harry must confront his own mild homophobia.
It’s funny, but you often don’t see the patterns in your life until quite late on. Looking back on my childhood, I see someone who had lots of imaginary friends, loved to make up detective games to baffle everyone and was crazy to read. Like many young people, I had difficulty in deciding upon a direction to head in life. School made me painfully aware that my abilities were not of the mathematical or scientific variety, so that cut out a lot of areas. But I did love writing and reading.
And so, after high school, I studied English at University only to find out that the courses turned out fine critics of the language but not creative writers. After University, I decided upon law school. For a person who wanted a creative field, this seemed to be a 180-degree turn. But after graduation, I practiced for twenty- eight years along with raising three children with my husband.
In retrospect, I sometimes think that I practiced law so that I would have something to write about. I think that a lot of life experience is needed to write with any depth. I was most fortunate that, in addition to personal experience, I got a great deal of second hand experience through my clients. For example I, myself, have never personally experienced divorce, but I have worked through the ins and outs of plenty of divorce actions and know the pain people go through.
Right now, I consider this to be one of the most interesting periods in my life. Retired from law practice, I have the time to devote myself full time to writing and reading. I also have a passion for photography and travel. I took the photograph on the front cover of Final Paradox on my first night in Venice of a shop window with a Pinocchio puppet in it. It seemed just right to express the theme of fraud and deceit in the story. In addition, I have the time to study in some areas, which fascinate me such as philosophy, art and Jungian psychology and mythology [Joseph Campbell]. And so, I am fascinated to see the unfolding of the next stage of my life.
So, if you are you looking for suspense filled novels, but hoping for some psychological depth of character and exploration of fundamental themes which affect our daily lives try the Osgoode Trilogy.
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ALL THE BEST,
MARY E. MARTIN
Birth Place: Toronto, Canada,
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Books
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 | Conduct in Question by Mary E Martin
Lawyer,Harry Jenkins, longs for freedom and love. Trapped under his senior partners thumb and in a dead marriage, he has nearly reached his breaking point. The city is haunted by the spectre of the Florist, a sadistic murderer with an artistic flair, who believes he is called to judge the worthiness of his victims. When his partner drops dead in his office, Harry is free to make his own mistakes. ...
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble.com
Indigo Chapters
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 | Final Paradox by Mary E Martin
Can love and forgiveness be found amidst fraud and deceit?
Harry Jenkins, an honest lawyer, seeks truth and love in a world darkened by fraud and deceit. Years back, Elixicorp, a company developing a drug to forestall memory loss, defrauded millions from Toronto’s elite. But since then, no one has been able to find the money. This long buried treasure has poisoned the lives of all who s...
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble.com
Indigo Chapters
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| Final Paradox and the Tarot Cards by Mary E Martin
Here's another reading from Final Paradox and a flash back to Harry at law school. Ever had your cards read? Keep an eye throughout the trilogy on the predictions for Harry....
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| Final Paradox. What Happens? by Mary E Martin
Final Paradox will be out this fall. It is the second, after Conduct in Question, in the Osgoode Trilogy.
Why the Osgoode Trilogy? Because a number of significant scenes in all three books are set in Osgoode Hall. Osgoode Hall is a beautiful court house in Toronto built in the early 1800's. If you'd like to see a photograph of it, just visit my website at www.maryemartin.com. Osgoode is ...
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| Conduct in Question. What Happens? by Mary E Martin
The Osgoode Trilogy
Conduct in Question is the first novel in the trilogy. Final Paradox is the second and will be published this fall. The third novel in the trilogy is A Trial of One. This is the synopsis of Conduct in Question...
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Short Stories
Chapter 4 & 5 of Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
I'm continuing to post 7-8 chapters in each of the three novels in the trilogy in hopes that I'll intrigue you enough to get your own copy. Also, I'll be posting articles about the writing of the tril...
Chapter 3 of Conduct in Question by Mary E Martin
Have you ever been tempted to do something you really know you should not do? Here's Harry Jenkins in Chapter 3, of Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy. He is put to the test by his ...
Here's Chapter 2 of Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Harry's senior partner has dropped dead at Harry's feet one morning in the office. His last words? "If you haven't experienced the passion, the thrall, then you have not lived!"
Not until the...
Meet lawyer, Harry Jenkins, In Conduct in Question, the 1st in The Osgoode by Mary E Martin
Have you read any books in The Osgoode Trilogy? So that I can get your reading, I'm going to post the first six or seven chapters of the first in the trilogy, Conduct in Question, where you'll meet Ha...
Chapter 8 of A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Here's the last chapter I'm going to post of A Trial of One. I hope that I've intrigued you enough to get your own copy! Here you meet Dr. Robert Hawke once again hoping to convincing the medical prof...
A Trial of One, Chapter 7 by Mary E Martin
If you've read Conduct in Question, the first in the trilogy, you'll remember Richard Crawford, Harry's domineering senior partner. At the beginning of that novel, Richard dropped dead in the office o...
Chapter 6, A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
Do you remember Miss Gladys Giveny from Conduct in Question and Final Paradox? Although Harry expects she will get out the quill pens in his absence, he knows she is indispensible. Here's a look at wh...
Chapter 6, A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
Do you remember Miss Gladys Giveny from Conduct in Question and Final Paradox? Although Harry expects she will get out the quill pens in his absence, he knows she is indispensible. Here's a look at wh...
Chapter 5 of A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Remember Harry's adversary, Robert Hawke, that sly and cunning doctor, last seen in his bath tub at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto? Now he is "entertaining" his guest, Harry at lunch in the hotel d...
Chapter 4, A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
If you've read Final Paradox, you've already met Harry's father, who is now in a nursing home and suffering from Alzheimer's and a host of other mental conditions usually attributed to aging. Harry is...
Chapter 3 of A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
So now you've met Dr. Robert Hawke,who gives the title "A Trial of One" a new and sinister meaning. Back to Harry Jenkins as he leaves the Mercer after seeing Norma Dinnick. He is consumed with though...
Chapter 2, A Trial of One in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
In this chapter, you will meet Dr. Robert Hawke, a sinister madman who claims to have the cure for Alzheimer's. He demands the money from the Elixicorp Shares claiming that it was always intended for ...
Chapter 1 of A Trial of One, the third in the Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Do you remember Norma Dinnick from Final Paradox. For me, she was such a strong and fascinating character, she demanded another novel! So, here's Harry making another house call to see her, but this t...
Chapter 8 of Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
IN this chapter, you find a bit about the fraud surrounding the ELixicorp shares--a story which runs through this book and the third, A Trial of One. This seems like a good place to stop. I don't want...
Chapter 7, Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Now, you'll see what a really desperate housewife will do. Bronwyn, Peter's wife is into dangerous territory. ...
Here's Chapter 6 of Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Harry's back at his office. Watch out for Jeremy, his junior. How many people are after the money? Come back on Monday for the next installment. ...
Chapter 5, Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
So, now we go back to Norma, the poor, defenceless elderly woman whom Harry is duty bound to protect. In my law practice, I had an elderly client who was being abused [in the sense of being cut off fr...
Chapter 4 Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Peter Saunderson, the duplicitous lawyer, caught under the thumb of George Pappas, is desperately searching for the Elixicorp shares. Although Peter is a miserable excuse for a human being, you might ...
Chapter 3, Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Now, through Norma Dinnick's eyes, you've been to the opulent King Eddie Hotel in Toronto of the 1960's to witness the great fraud.[Actually at the begining of the 1960's it was getting pretty seedy, ...
Chapter 2 of Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
So,now you've met one of my most favorite characters, Norma Dinnick, who is central to not only the plot of this novel, but also to A Trial of One, which is the third in the trilogy. In this chapter, ...
Chapter One of Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Final Paradox is the second in the Osgoode Trilogy. I hope you liked Conduct in Question enough to order it to find out what happens next to Harry and the Florist and Marjorie Deighton. In Final Parad...
Chapter 9 Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Harry has returned to his empty house. His wife, Laura, is nowhere to be found. Harry reflects upon the events of the past few days. ...
Chapter 8 of COnduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Now you are about to meet, Katharine Rowe, a tough as nails business woman. She's one of the nieces of Marjorie Deighton and could not be more different than her sister Suzannah. Her nature makes her ...
Chapter 6 and 7 of Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Remember the Florist? He's back again. And now that Harry's client, Marjorie Deighton is dead, Harry has an uneasy feeling. ...
Chapter 4, Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
In Chapter 4, you'll meet the Florist again, a true Jekyll and Hyde character and an artistic serial killer. Then comes Chapter 5, where you'll see how Harry is faced with money problems.Eventually, h...
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Articles
No Man’s Meat by Morley Callaghan by Mary E Martin
I've been interested for a long time in the use of images in writing. Sometimes, some of the classic writers can provide help. ...
ON THE MAGIC OF TRAVEL AND WRITING by Mary E Martin
If you're thinking of travelling over the holidays, think about this, if you're a writer....
ARE MEN REALLY FROM MARS AND WOMEN REALLY FROM VENUS? by Mary E Martin
Here's a thought which came to me over dinner....
Review of Conduct in Question by Mary E Martin
Here is a review by Gina Robichaud for Indigo, Chapters. This would make a great Christmas gift especially for any lawyer on your list. ...
Death in Venice by Mary E Martin
Death in Venice. Travels...
Does Your Hometown affect your writing by Mary E Martin
Hi..I'm planning to write a series of articles about travel and writing, both of which I love to do. Here's the first article. I thought, before venturing forth on travels, perhaps we should look at t...
Another Review of A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy won a number of awards in 2007. This is the latest review, which I hope will encourage you to get the book and its two precursors, Conduct in Question ...
Different Novels: Different Process? by Mary E Martin
What is this writing process? Does the content of the novel make a difference in the "how to" of it? Having completed The Osgoode Trilogy,I am now working toward a second draft of a completely differe...
Civil Unions vs. Marriage by Mary E Martin
Congratulations to California...
Art and Inspiration by Mary E Martin
Where do you get your inspiration?...
Review of A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
I am very pleased that the reviewer Sabrina has taken the time to read the entire trilogy. ...
Your Hero Meets the Public by Mary E Martin
This is the next instalment of the writer's journey. ...
Finished your novel? by Mary E Martin
How Do You Know When You've Finished Your Novel?...
The Second Draft and More by Mary E Martin
Here's another collection of thoughts after finishing The Osgoode Trilogy, comprised of Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One...
The First Draft and How to Get There by Mary E Martin
Having comleted The Osgoode Trilogy, I have been thinking back over the many years it took to write it to see what I have learned anything....
The Third Eye by Mary E Martin
Having written and published The Osgoode Trilogy, I've decided to sit down and reflect upon all the stages [some more desperate than others]that I've gone through. Here is my third article in this ser...
The Writer's voice by Mary E Martin
More thoughts on writing. ...
What do you look for in a novel? by Mary E Martin
Now that The Osgoode Trilogy is complete, I've been thinking a lot about writing and the process involved in creating a trilogy....
A Trial of One review by Mary E Martin
This review is from Hidden Staircase Reviews...
Trial of One Review by Mary E Martin
Here's another review of A Trial of One by Bookloons. This is the third novel in Tho Osgoode Trilogy, Please visit my website for more information about the trilogy, including the first two, Conduct i...
Trial of One Review by Mary E Martin
Here's another review of A Trial of One by Bookloons. This is the third novel in Tho Osgoode Trilogy, Please visit my website for more information about the trilogy, including the first two, Conduct i...
Review of A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
Take a look at this review, by Front Street Reviews, of the third book in The Osgoode Trilogy, A Trial of One, preceded by COnduct in Question and Final Paradox. A Trial of One won an honorable mentio...
Shamanstvo by Mary E Martin
I'm a great fan of the Canadian writer Robertson Davies and often draw upon his thoughts for inspiration in writing....
Venice and writing by Mary E Martin
This is another article in a series about writing an travel and whether a "place" can be a character in a novel...
Venice, the Mirror of the Soul by Mary E Martin
Five years ago, I spent some time in Venice. That setting inspired much of the third novel in the Osgoode Trilogy, A Trial of One, coming out in September...
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News
Osgoode Hall and The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Why not take a visit to Osgoode Hall which lent its name to The Osgoode Trilogy...a beautiful, if rather intimidating place for a young lawyer!...
First draft of The Drawing Lesson completed by Mary E Martin
A series of posts about the process of reaching the first draft and what happens next....
Chapter 3, A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
I hope you take time to read Chapter 3 of A Trial of One which I've just posted. You can also read a number of chapters of both Conduct in Question and Final Paradox. You can buy them at any of the on...
A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Don't forget to come back here tomorrow where I'll be posting the first chapter in A Trial of One. Do you remember Norma Dinnick from FInal Paradox? Well, she's back!...
Conduct in Question Contest by Mary E Martin
Hi You should visit the blog on my website where you can enter the contest to win a free copy of the first in The Osgoode Trilogy, Conduct in Question by answering the question,
"What is the name ...
The Osgoode Trilogy Website and Blog by Mary E Martin
Hi everyone. I'd like to invite you to visit my website now that renovations are almost complete. A lot of the work done has been "behind the scenes"...so that now, I can post and change content easil...
A Trial of One, the third in Tho Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Hi Everyone
I hope you've enjoyed reading the first number of chapters of Conduct in Question and Final Paradox. Come back on Monday, April 14th, and I'll start posting some chapters from A Trial ...
A Trial of One wins Best General Fiction Literary Award from Reader Views by Mary E Martin
This is a press release from Reader Views...
A Trial of One,the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
I am very pleased to announce that A Trial of One has been well reviewed by Reader Views and has been place as a semifinalist, along with four other novels, for the general fiction award for 2007. Ple...
Final Paradox, the second in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Now that I've posted ten chapters of the first in the trilogy, Conduct in Question, you've probably gotten a pretty good idea of the kind of guy Harry is. And so, this Monday, I'm going to post some c...
Final Paradox is Coming Soon by Mary E Martin
I have published the first ten chapters of Conduct in Question and am going to stop there. Why? Because we may really start getting into "spoilers". I hope I've intrigued you enough to buy the book. T...
The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Here's another review of the complete trilogy. Please check out the link below. ...
The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Please click on the link below to read a review of all three novels in The Osgoode Trilogy on Squidoo.com. I'd be pleased if you would add your commentary....
The Thief, by Mary E. Martin by Mary E Martin
Here's the link for PREDICATE in which THE THIEF IS PUBLISHED...
The Thief by Mary E. Martin by Mary E Martin
If you'd like to explore a a literary magazine PREDICATE where my short story THE THIEF is published, click on the link below. ...
The Osgoode Trilogy Podcast by Mary E Martin
Have a listen to a podcast interview about The Osgoode Trilogy. You can find all three books at any online bookstore. ...
Brown Paper Publishing by Mary E Martin
I am pleased to announce that my short story, The Thief, which can be read on my website at www.theosgoodetrilogy.com
will be published in PREDICATE, an online and print edition in January 2008...
The Osgoode Trilogy, Winner of Three Honorable Mentions by Mary E Martin
The London Book Festival, The DIY Convention and The Hollywood Book Festival ...
Podcast about The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
Just click on the link below to hear my podcast about the trilogy at the iUniverse website....
Final Paradox and A Trial of One by Mary E Martin
I am happy to announce that Final Paradox won an honorable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival held in Los Angeles this past July and A Trial of One won an honorable mention at the DIY Convention. ...
The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
To learn more about the Osgoode Trilogy, which is now complete, listen to a podcast interview I did about the development of the three books, Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One.
The Osgoode Trilogy Book Launch by Mary E Martin
An Invitation for you. Do you live in or around Toronto? If so, please come to the book launch on Sunday, November 11th at the Hotel Intercontinental 250 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada from 3:30 ...
A Trial of One, the third in The Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
A gathering of the ravens presages a disturbance of the natural order. ...
A Trial of One, the third in the Osgoode Trilogy by Mary E Martin
A gathering of the ravens presages a disturbance of the natural order. And so, the protagonist, Harry Jenkins, comes head to head with Dr. Robert Hawke and his trial of one....
Hollywood Book Festival Final Paradox by Mary E Martin
Final Paradox wins an honorable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival....
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Links
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| www.theosgoodetrilogy.com
I've been expanding the website to include all three books. Take a look. You will be able to read sample chapters of all three books. Check out the Final Paradox section of the site and the slide show about the execution of Archie Brinks in Osgoode Hall. In the Conduct in Question section, have a look at the photographs of Toronto, my home, and home to Harry.
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Writers in the Sky
There you'll find a podcast interview I did with Yvonne Perry and each month until August you'll see one of my articles posted in their newsletter on writing and travel
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Fascinating Authors
You'll find another podcast with Penny Sansiveri about the writing of The Osgoode Trilogy.
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www.iuniverse.com/iuniverstiy/podcasts
A podcast interview. I was interviewed by Alan Hunkin, for iUniverse.com about The Osgoode Trilogy
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Additional information
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| Please check out my website www.theosgoodetrilogy.com for all sorts of events and news. Also I'll be updating this page regularly on a wide variety of topics involving writing and publishing. |
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Contact
Information
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