The Joining of Dingo Radish

The story of a man willing to do whatever it takes to provide for those he loves

“The Joining of Dingo Radish is a book that brought a surprised, spontaneous smile to my face. Just remembering the book brings a smile to my face.”
Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi.

In this novel, the classic western goes high tech and bloody. In the vast prairie expanse, our lone hero, nicknamed Dingo Radish, drives a mammoth truck. And instead of holding up railway cars, he tries to get his $1 million stake by stealing genetically modified weed killer that is worth a fortune.

Despite his foray into crime, Dingo is a good guy, responsible for his orphaned siblings—a mentally slow brother and his troubled sister. He is desperate for money to get them out of Bennington Falls, Saskatchewan where the cruel town-folk taunt them as pariahs.

Dingo’s careful plan works flawlessly until his get-away tractor-trailer collides with protesters at the manufacturing plant. Climbing into the cab is a young woman demonstrator and an escaped scientist held hostage by the venal factory owner.

The bad guys chase them across the badlands.  The hunted becomes the hunter when Dingo takes up the chase after they abduct his brother who, in a touching scene, saves the hero.

Rob Harasymchuk has the verve of Carl Hiaasen  and the grace of Elmore Leonard. He too can put a plot through its paces, create authentic, interesting characters, and bring the landscape to life in all its subtleties.

Rob Harasymchuk works in road construction.This debut novel was shortlisted for the Saskatchewan Book Award best first novel and the Arthur Ellis award for a first crime novel.