LARGE PRINT VERSION This illustrated fast-paced and fact-based historical murder mystery is BOOK II in the AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD-recognized "Chief Namakagon trilogy." It's a stand-alone adventure novel for readers of all ages and a wonderful blend of fact and fiction guaranteed to bring life to the 13-decade-old legend and unsolved mystery. The story begins with a silver mine lost in 1886 in northern Wisconsin and the mysterious death of its owner, Chief Namakagon. (Fact ) In an exciting look at life through the eyes of lumberjack, Tor Loken, we learn more and more facts surrounding this yet unsolved murder. Following a perilous November 1886 blizzard, the Ojibwe elder is found dead near his secret silver mine. (Fact ) Only nineteen-year-old Tor Loken can prove murder. Suspicious accidents soon plague the lumber camp. New faces appear. New tales are told. (All based on fact ) Tor and his sweetheart, Rosie, risk their lives to protect the tribal silver and solve the mystery. Book I in the series made the 2013 ABNA competition's semi-finals. In effect, IT TIED FOR SECOND PLACE OUT OF 10,000 NOVELS ENTERED WORLDWIDE Book II explores the unsolved death of the legendary Wisconsin figure in a dramatic tale of 1880s lumberjacks, miners, and the many ne'er-do-wells and crooks who tried to relieve them of their wages. Step back into the 19th century as award-winning author and conservationist, James Brakken takes you to the silver fields, the lumber camps, and the bustling boom towns from Lake Superior to Chippewa Falls. Follow the clues, see the maps, and draw your own conclusions about Namakagon's murder and the cover-up that followed. Although this is a stand-alone tale, you will soon wish to know what preceded and what will follow. James Brakken's THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON, launched in June, 2012, and his upcoming novel, TOR LOKEN and the THE SECRET OF NAMAKAGON will soon be on your wish list. Join Tor Loken and the rest of the lumberjacks as they endure many life-threatening adventures--all based on true events. Be in the runaway lumber train with Tor; Survive a horrendous, raging forest fire; Share the wheelhouse of the Great Lakes Schooner, LUCERNE, as she struggles against a severe November gale; See how river pirates stole millions of dollars worth of timber in the spring log drives; Be with Tor and his friend Junior when they become lost in a vast wilderness. You will even learn how unscrupulous "agents" swindled thousands of lumberjacks using bogus hospital insurance script. These tales and more are based on fact and all cleverly woven together to create this thrilling murder mystery. TOR LOKEN and THE DEATH OF CHIEF NAMAKAGON will soon have you yearning to search for both the old chief's lost silver AND the truth behind his 1886 demise. Book II offers 232 pages, many illustrations, maps to Wisconsin's historic silver fields, and an extensive glossary of Ojibwe & lumberjack terms. A great MADE IN USA gift idea. PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY MAGAZINE"s 2013 review excerpt of BOOK I of the trilogy shows why it ranked so well in ABNA's worldwide competition: "This is a fascinating tale of the men who harvested the pines in Wisconsin's North Woods. Namakagon, an Ojibwa chief, is the heart of this story of the land and its preservation. There is a strong sense in this book of oneness with nature." "There's rip-roaring action, a beautiful girl, and great yarns rivalling Paul Bunyan." "The book is so well-written." "Difficult to put down; a great read." More "CHIEF NAMAKAGON TRILOGY" reviews: AMAZON BOOKS says: "The writing style of this piece is its greatest strength." "The flow of the words is like an old fashioned song." MICHAEL PERRY, NYT bestselling Wisconsin author: "Weaving mystery into history, it vivifies the tumultuous nature of 19th-century life in the legendary north woods." LAMOINE MACLAUGHLIN, President, Wisconsin Writers Assn: "Open with caution. You won't want to put this one down."

DARK is a collection of over 50 original, eerie poems and delightfully frightening short stories by James Brakken. Some are morbidly amusing, many utterly nightmarish, and others are simply downright disturbing. Over 50 darkly evocative engravings accentuate the macabre nature of the DARK collection. It is for all readers, contains no excessive obscenities nor sexual content, and is perfect reading by the fire on stormy nights, around the campfire, or by flashlight under the covers--provided the door is barred and bolted. DARK is neatly sliced into three parts: Dark, Darker, and Darkest. Each leads you to the next as you creep toward the shivery end. DARK is frightening but delightfully so. From the back cover: Lurking beneath the cover of DARK you will encounter a rare collection of James Brakken's spine-tingling poems and delightfully frightening short stories. Your host for this journey through the author's macabre library of horrors is "The Thief of Dreams" who will allow you to explore more than fifty bizarre, twisted, sometimes humorous, and often downright disturbing writings. Sequestered within DARK, the reader will find such devilish works as: - "The Zombie Apocalypse," a 4-part short story of high-tech horror. - "In Gloomy Wood" and other poems guaranteed to chill to the bone. - "Three Dragons," flash fiction designed to draw forth disturbing delight. - "Beastly Feastings" and lighter poems that will elicit nervous laughter. - "Nevermore," an attempt to resolve Edgar Allen Poe's age-old question. - Brief, chilling excerpts from the novel, THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON. - OVER 34 more nightmarish tales and creepy poems crafted to test your nerve. For visual relief from the skin-crawling nature of his poems and stories, the author has inserted 53 evocative engravings by master artists from ancient times. DARK will thrill readers of all ages, although it is not recommended for the very young as it could lead to life-long phobias. ENTER WITH CAUTION -- HERE THERE BE DRAGONS