Local Writer Releases First Book

"Five miles away and three hours later, Ralph Masters was a rancher with a problem. Six times in the last three weeks, while checking his herd on land he leased east of Devil's Tower, he'd come across the remains of one of his calves. What troubled him nearly as much as the hit each kill made to his wallet was the puzzling way each calf had been killed."

Dan Carlson of Gurley recently introduced his first novel, fiction entitled "Species Unknown." The story is based in the South Dakota badlands using science, legends of unidentified creatures and main characters representing different characteristics of humanity. In the story, a creature from Native American folklore suddenly surfaces in the Black Hills.

"It is like nothing known to man, at least in the last few centuries," said author Dan Carlson.

The story unites three people, each with very specific skill sets. The first is a world-renowned zoologist.

"His involvement centers on the creature taking something precious from him," Carlson said.

The second of the three main characters is a young woman - very attractive, athletic, a martial arts expert, and working in law enforcement - who is physically and mentally strong. She is also known for her black and white approach to law enforcement; sometimes forgetting about the book when it gets in the way of justice. 

The third of the three characters is a Native American, a recovering alcoholic who discovers a special gift that connects him with the creature.

Carlson describes the three characters as metaphorical references to the three parts of human existence: intellectual, spiritual and physical - mind, body and spirit.

Carlson uses his history in scientific disciplines to build the story; all references and theories can easily be researched, including legends and their origins.

"Species Unknown takes the reader on a journey, not just into the unknown, but also into the theories of multi-verse, the theory that there may be more than one universe, and that the may overlap.

The storyline also involves forgiveness, redemption and teamwork.

"Species Unknown" is available at Amazon.com, or locally at NexGen Outfitters in Sidney.