“Realm of the Sasquatch”
by Dan Landeen Outskirts Press Inc. 110 pages, $14.95
On a college science test Dan Landeen once had three hours to answer the question: “Do you believe in Sasquatch? List your reasons why or why not.” His answer was no but the reasons people do believe have always intrigued him. Now retired from a career as a wildlife biologist, he’s turned to fiction and the Northwest legend of bigfoot is the subject of a self-published trilogy he is in the midst of writing.
“Realm of the Sasquatch” is his most recent release. In the book Larry, a retired Orofino wildlife biologist diagnosed with cancer, goes in search of the truth behind Nez Perce tales about Sasquatch. He visits a tribal elder who explains who the Sasquatch is and why no photos, bones or scat have ever been found to verify his existence. They then journey to a sacred valley that is protected by magic where Larry learns the true story behind the legends.
During his career Landeen worked closely with the Nez Perce Tribe and stories in the book are patterned after tribal legends but are of his own creation, he said.
“I started writing fiction for the challenge. I’ve always been a scientist and wanted to try my hand at something new,” said Landeen, of Clarkston. “It’s fiction mixed with a little fact.” Landeen is the author of nonfiction books about the Pacific Northwest, including "Steelhead Fly Fishing Nez Perce Country: Snake River Tributaries."
The book is available in Clarkston at And Books Too and Hay’s Produce; at Hastings in Lewiston; at the Clearwater River Casino Gift Shop outside Lewiston; online and on Kindle.
