“Moosey Brick,” a new fiction novel written by East Boothbay resident Matt Hurley, is available at Sherman’s bookstore and at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. It is Matt’s first book, largely set in Maine with lots of interesting references to the state’s people, places and things.

Although a work of fiction, many names and locations will be recognizable and familiar, Poland Spring being one of the key players.

As a young person, Matt came to Maine from Boston with his family. Eventually, years later, after a long search, he found a camp on Wilson Lake in Acton, which is sort of in the southwest corner of the state, west of Sanford, not too far from the New Hampshire border. Matt still has a camp there and visits often. This is an area which Matt knows well. It has provided significant material for his writing and I suspect will continue to do so for further projects. It is rural, woody and filled with regular folk who can be counted on for lively stories and wholesome truths. Matt, perhaps with an Irish helping of "gift of gab,” listened well. “Good people with good hearts,” me might be inclined to observe.

Although this is his first and self-published work, it was a long time coming. His day jobs have included some major IT system installations and management projects across the country, literally from coast to coast with significant stops in between. With huge amounts of travel over the years, Matt has met and worked with a wide variety of people from all walks of life — a generous resource for the first edition, and for those to come!

One such experience was setting up and developing the e911 system for the state of Maine which required him to travel throughout the entire state. And, as Mark Twain once said, “Write what you know.” Matt knows a lot!

“Moosey Brick” has much to say about the great state of Maine, its people, and its remarkable attributes. The book is quite a ride that reveals much about misguided intention and violated tradition. Matt explores the perennial conflict of Maine’s history — development and protection of resources. The main character, Mick Finnegan, is offered a job, sight unseen, to help protect for all eternity his favorite part of the world. However, the job develops into a multifaceted swirl of conflict, mystery and tragedy. Surrounded by forest, lakes and wildlife, Mick enters the unfamiliar world of high society and perfect convenience, beginning an adventure through status, wealth and family controversy. Left to his own devices, Mick uncovers too much and realizes that all that glitters is not gold! 

I particularly enjoyed the many references to Irish ancestry, which I share, and even many mentions of Penobscot Mitchells (no relation that I am aware of) who try to inform Mick of potential cautions. Although I have a smidge of native ancestry, my people are from elsewhere. The Mitchells’ advice, however, proves providential, and has a critical role in the outcome of Mick’s experience. 

Run, don’t walk, to get your copy of “Moosey Brick.” I’m sure Matt would be pleased to have some feedback and maybe even a public chat to tell his story.