On Tuesday October 22nd at 6:30-7:30 pm, Yvonne Osborne and Donald Levin will be at Book Beat to speak and sign copies of their recently published books. Let Evening Come by Osborne is a coming of age novel set in rural Michigan and Saskatchewan. Levin’s latest is The Ghosts of Detroit, third in his series of Detroit historical novels. Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park. Call 248-968-1190 for more info or to reserve copies. Read Local!
“Let Evening Come” is a recommended read for those interested in a moving story that not only provides a window into the complexities of cultural divides but also celebrates the human capacity to overcome adversity. —Alex’s Book Blog
“Let Evening Come by Yvonne Osborne is a poignant and deeply moving narrative that explores themes of loss, love, cultural conflict, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of rural Michigan and western Saskatchewan, the novel weaves together the lives of Sadie Wixom, a young woman grappling with the loss of her mother, and Stefan Montegrand, an Indigenous young man displaced from his ancestral lands. Their story is one of mutual attraction, shared struggles, and the relentless pursuit of understanding and justice in the face of adversity
– Jeyran Main for REVIEW TALES
“Let Evening Come can be described as a coming-of-age story but it’s far more layered and intricate than that. Although the burgeoning romance between Sadie and Stefan is at its nucleus and Osborne pitches their exchanges perfectly; nuanced, slow-burning, and softly sensual, she uses the complications of their relationship to foreground issues including displacement, colonialism, and racism.”
—Rose Auburn, Book Review blog 5 Stars
Yvonne Osborne is a 5th generation Michigander who grew up on the family farm under the tutelage of a grandmother who loved Shakespeare before Shakespeare was cool. After college and a stint in the Buckeye State, she and her husband moved back to the farm founded by her great-great-grandfather. Her poetry and short stories can be found in The Slippery Elm Literary Journal, Third Coast Review, Full of Crow, Midwest Review, Great Lakes Review, and in the Literary Lab’s anthologies. Let Evening Come is her debut novel.
“[Donald Levin] deftly navigates the complexities of Detroit’s past, from its industrial heyday to its decline, shining a light on the ghosts of the city’s past that continue to shape its present reality.A gripping tale of mystery, redemption, and the enduring power of the human spirit; a page-turner.”
-Prairie Book Review
“The historical elements invite deep reflection on the turbulent and complicated 1950s, a time when the world was on edge. As someone who is drawn to war and historical themes, I found that this book truly honors the genre. Levin masterfully intertwines the lives of these characters, making them feel deeply connected as they navigate the heavy burdens of the Cold War, systemic racism, and the fight for civil rights…The Ghosts of Detroit is a powerful, haunting read that breathes life into a crucial chapter of history. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind, especially for those who appreciate stories steeped in historical elements. While there were moments where the narrative felt slightly stretched, the book maintained my interest from start to finish.”
—Literary Titans 5 Star review
Signed copies of Donald Levin’s historical Detroit series are available in store or online in the Book Beat gallery.
Donald Levin is an award-winning fiction writer and poet. He is the author of the Michigan-based historical novels Savage City, The Arsenal of Deceit, and his latest in the series The Ghosts of Detroit. Levin has authored seven Martin Preuss mysteries set in and around metropolitan Detroit, as well as short fiction and poems that have appeared in numerous print and e-journals. Now writing full-time, he is retired dean of the faculty and Professor of English at the former Marygrove College in Detroit. He lives in Ferndale, Michigan, the setting for the Martin Preuss novels.