Greenmantle is a blend of modern-day thriller and mystical fantasy, skillfully woven together by Charles de Lint. The story revolves around a former Mafia hitman, now in hiding, who acquires new neighbors - a woman who won the lottery and her teenage daughter. Strange magical music from the forest behind their homes affects everyone, leading to a mystery and secret that calls the daughter into the woods. The book incorporates the mythology of Pan the Green Man with a mafioso-like story, creating an earthy yet enjoyable read that explores ancient mysteries in the deep woods outside of Ottawa.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and realistically portray the struggles of personal histories and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a unique and approachable writing style that blends urban fantasy with vivid imagery.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows interconnected lives that evolve amidst personal reinvention and mysterious elements from folklore.

Setting:

The setting offers a rich backdrop that combines contemporary urban life with enchanting rural mystery.

Pacing:

The book maintains a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged throughout.

By the time Eddie “the Squeeze” Pinelli was five hours dead, Valenti was on a Boeing 747 halfway across the Atlantic. He sipped the beer that the steward had brought him and stared out the window into...

Notes:

The novel Greenmantle is written by Charles de Lint, one of the author's earlier works.

The story combines elements of urban fantasy with Italian mob intrigues.

The main character, Tony Valenti, is an ex-mob hitman trying to hide from his mob family.

Another key character is Frankie, a mother who moves to her childhood home after winning the lottery, along with her daughter Ali.

The plot involves magical music that brings the characters into contact with a forgotten village filled with otherworldly elements.

The music in the story serves as a bridge between the world of humans and the fey, reflecting a duality of good and evil.

Characters in the story include Tony, Frankie, Ali, and a range of mob villains, creating depth and complexity.

The themes explore the mystery of life, the intersection of reality and fantasy, and the primal forces that exist beyond modern understanding.

The book includes elements of Canadian folklore, particularly remnants from British settlers.

Readers have praised the book for its rich imagery, character development, and the ease of following the narrative.

From The Publisher:

Not far from the city there is an ancient wood, forgotten by the modern world, where Mystery walks in the moonlight. He wears the shape of a stag, or a goat, or a horned man wearing a cloak of leaves. He is summoned by the music of the pipes or a fire of bones on Midsummer's Evening. He is chased by the hunt and shadowed by the wild girl.

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About the Author:

Charles de Lint pioneered the urban fantasy genre with critically acclaimed novels and stories set in and around the imaginary modern North American city of Newford: The Onion Girl, Moonheart, The Ivory and the Horn, and the collection Moonlight and Vines, for which he won the World Fantasy Award. Among de Lint's many other novels are Mulengro, Into the Green, and The Little Country.

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Greenmantle

Charles de Lint