Fanatics

Garnet and Raphaella #2

by William Bell

A sequel to the very popular Stones , Fanatics is a thrilling story in which the past and present collide in terrifying, riveting ways.

Garnet Havelock has just finished his apprenticeship in furniture-making, and has found a workshop for his new business in an old coach house on the isolated estate of recently deceased Professor Eduardo Corbizzi. Garnet signs a contract with the late professor's long-time companion, the eccentric and inscrutable Mrs. Valentina Stoppini, who presides over the mansion and is its only occupant. The terms of the deal are excellent, but there's a Garnet has to repair the library's fire damage and keep all details about the estate confidential. Only after he agrees does Mrs. Stoppini inform him that the professor died of a seizure in the library under mysterious circumstances involving "an accident" and "a small fire." It isn't long before a distressing collision of past and present drags Garnet towards a horrifying truth he could never have imagined.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Horror, Fiction, Teen

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2011

About the author

William Bell is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books for young adults.

Born in Toronto, Ontario in 1945, he has been a high school English teacher and department head, and an instructor at the Harbin University of Science and Technology, the Foreign Affairs College in Beijing, and the University of British Columbia.

Reviews

[Phillip B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fanatics" by William Bell is a book about how a man named Garnet Havelock stumbles upon a
fabulous job opportunity but, it turns out to have a frightening catch to it. Garnet wants to become a cabinetmaker and with the help of his friend he eagerly signs a contract with Valentina Stoppini an old lady isolated in the old Corbizzi mansion. The terms of the deal are great but he has to keep all details about the house and his work confidential. Garnet starts to have nightmares and he discovers a secret door in the library. Garnet and his girlfriend Raphaella Skye do some research and discover the horrible secrets of the Corbizzi mansion. Garnet also discovers some very suspicious people out in the wilderness. Garnet finds clues of how dangerous the mysterious people could be. Girolamo is the name of a phantom who haunts the Corbizzi estate. Garnet is quite affected by the phantom as well, but finds a secret room which includes some old books. Also in the room is an ancient artifact and a false wall which contains a manuscript that has details about Girolamo's life and gruesome death. For the remainder of the novel Garnet finds a human bone and thoroughly clean the library. The challenge with cleaning the library is that the library constantly smells like smoke. It turns out that Girolamo died in a fire. He was a Dominican Priest who had views which were outside the regular church and became known as a fanatic. For Garnet to scour the library, he needs to cleanse the room of Girolamo's spirit.
One of the weaknesses of the novel is that the beginning did not capture the readers attention. The beginning was slow moving and was so full of details that it took a long time to get connected to the story. The strengths of the story were actually the strong sensory language that the author used throughout the book.For example when the author writes “I popped an olive into my mouth, savouring the saltiness,and watched an Albacore far out on the water by Chiefs Island, desperately searching for a snatch of wind.” found on page 41 and 42, you can taste the saltiness of the olive. Another strength is that the author used the Italian language which made the story seem authentic.
My personal response to this book is that it was very interesting. I thought it was intriguing how the author blended two stories into one. One of the stories was that the main character got a job in a huge mansion that happened to be haunted by a ghost. The second story involved the main character finding a GPS which he was able to follow, leading him to discover some dangerous criminals. The author’s description of the world in the book was so inviting that it made me feel like I was in the book. For example, when the author was describing the strong smoke smell, I could imagine the smoke at that moment.
The book was like a mystery but also a bit historical fiction. The main character is believable because Garnet reacts in a way that makes sense for his situation. For example, when Garnet saw a man carrying a shovel, Garnet followed the man and that is something that anyone might do.
My favourite scene in the book happens very close to the end, when Garnet gets attacked by a terrorist. This scene caught my attention because it seemed very believable. I enjoyed reading the book but I enjoy books where you are in suspense and need to always read the next chapter. This level of interest was not in the book in a strong way.
I liked this book because it is similar to other books that I have enjoyed. For example, the ghost comes to kill the people and he looks all burned and like a skeleton and I enjoy reading about that kind of disgusting stuff, because it is so different from my normal life.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was fun, exciting, and a very entertaining read. If I could, I would give this book 10 stars.

The plot was great, the characters fit the plot and eachother perfectly, and the end was very surprising, and very pleasing at the same time.

All in all, this book is one of my favorite books. I recommend this book to anybody who would like an exciting novel.

[Brandon_71 · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did not like the beginning because it was really slow. it started getting better when he started to work on the house and he starts to get crazy dreams he was thinking the dreams migth lead him somewhere

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deffinitly to slow! All the good parts didnt come till the end of the book and by then I just wanted to quit. Wouldn't this book to others. Way to formal ie. people think this way but they do not speak like it expescially an 18/17 year old boy.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

to slow it took forever to get to the ending it was avery good ending thoughtif the rest of the book was like the ending i would have thought it was a very good book

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read the first book but I think I'll look for it. This was a great read and a Red Maple Nominee for YA fiction.

A sequel to the very popular Stones, Fanatics is a thrilling story in which the past and present collide in terrifying, riveting ways.

Garnet Havelock has just finished his apprenticeship in furniture-making, and has found a workshop for his new business in an old coach house on the isolated estate of recently deceased Professor Eduardo Corbizzi. Garnet signs a contract with the late professor's long-time companion, the eccentric and inscrutable Mrs. Valentina Stoppini, who presides over the mansion and is its only occupant. The terms of the deal are excellent, but there's a catch: Garnet has to repair the library's fire damage and keep all details about the estate confidential. Only after he agrees does Mrs. Stoppini inform him that the professor died of a seizure in the library under mysterious circumstances involving "an accident" and "a small fire." It isn't long before a distressing collision of past and present drags Garnet towards a horrifying truth he could never have imagined.

[Subahar Ariyarasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only recently found out that Stones had a sequel, and I was happy to see there was gonna be more stuff with the Garnet/Raphaella pairing.
It's definitely a step up in difficulty, it's slow and the research can be hard to follow. And lots of descriptions of furniture which I personally enjoy, but I was really only ever captivated by the interactions. Both with his parents/mom and the owner of the library place. Also the police "interview"
I enjoyed the first book more. It was a little more moving and I preferred the relationship stuff there. We just don't really get enough of Raphaella in this book imo. Would've loved some POV focus with her.

[Shannie Joy Kosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing a real life location, a real life person and a real life event can be very touch and go when writing fiction. William Bell does this eloquently and with the proper air of mystery. Thoroughly enjoyed the world he has created for Garnet. I will definitely search out out the first book the series.

[Courteney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so many hidden secrets and gems it was like open many little presents. I found the allusion to the first book to be a little obvious and forced but the storyline and the characters were ever so consistent. I never knew I could love a fictional old lady so much before this. The historical, fantastical, and lifestyle elements blended together so nicely. The build up was well worth it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that really got me into reading —beyond Percy jackson and Rick Riordan’s work— as a kid.

[Alison C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fanatics is a YA novel by Canadian author William Bell, set in the small Ontario town of Orillia. Young Garnet, having completed school and an apprenticeship to become a cabinet-maker, is searching for a rental space where he can set up his own wood-working shop, with the enthusiastic support of his parents and his girlfriend, Raphaella. When a friend directs him to the nearby mansion of a recently deceased relative, he is pleased to sign a 3-year rental agreement with the mansion's inhabitant Mrs. Stoppini, the former housekeeper and companion of the deceased. In this odd arrangement, he pays only one dollar for the rental of the former carriage house, ideal for his purposes, with the only requirements being that he restore the somewhat burned fireplace mantle and bookcases that were damaged in the library at the time of the unfortunate demise of the former owner, and that he inventory and catalog the 4,000 or so books in the library in his spare time. But Garnet soon realizes that the library contains more than just books, and that the deceased's last work, a study of fanatical religious zealots including the 15th Century monk Savonarola, has raised the ire of paranormal forces, and he and Raphaella must find a way to combat them before they too suddenly find themselves deceased.... There's more to this book, including a modern-day terrorist plot being hatched in the region and the mounting of a musical play, "Merrie Olde Orillia," for which Raphaella serves as the stage manager, but all of the plot elements are neatly related to each other, and Bell's depiction of small-town Ontario rings true, although some of the supernatural elements are a bit over the top. This is evidently a sequel to an earlier book, Stones, which I have not read, but it holds up well on its own, one doesn't need to know the earlier novel to enjoy this one. As the main characters are in their late teens or early 20s at the time of this novel's events, I'm not sure I'd classify it as YA exactly, but I certainly breezed through it in practically no time, and enjoyed doing so. Mildly recommended.

[CanadianReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garnet Havelock and his girlfriend/soulmate Raphaella Skye investigate the appearance of the spectre of a Dominican monk at the nearby mansion of a recently deceased professor. At the time of his death, the professor had been doing research on the fanaticism of this monk and his torture, execution, and burning by the Italian Inquisition. A second plot concerns Garnet's discovery of a GPS and cell phone at what seems to be a militia training camp in the woods near Orillia, Ontario. Garnet is a pivotal figure in the resolution of the mysteries surrounding both strange occurrences.

Bell's parallel plots are fast moving, his characterization is sound, and the love between his two main characters is affecting. His articulation of the theme, however, is rather heavy handed. We're fairly regularly bopped over the head with the notion that democracy suffers and intolerance thrives when small, exclusive groups of men press for adherence to a single religious truth and for the establishment of a theocracy. This was the case during the (Catholic Church's) Inquisition and it's the case now when Islamist adherents use terror and torture to make others toe their lines. Generally, the book is well done. Certainly, it's highly respectful of young readers' intelligence, based as it is on historical figures from the time of the Inquisition. An added note: Bell's book works well without the (sometimes troublesome) language and graphic sexual scenes that are often seen in young adult texts. However, some of his ideas may still ruffle the feathers of fundamentalist readers...so the book is subversive in its own neat way--challenging younger readers with its more liberal ideas about religion, sexuality, feminism, and marriage/family life

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using fanatics of various faiths as the linking trope, Bell weaves a story for his main characters that is equal parts supernatural thriller and mystery. Recently graduated from high school, Garnet seeks to set himself up as a master carpenter while his girlfriend, Raphaella, stage manages dramatic productions. His talents at woodworking earn him a commission in an estate that leads him into danger, both other-worldly and realistic.

In many ways this novel reads like a "Da Vinci Code" for young adults. Laden with secular moralism, the book still manages not to negate the positives of religion entirely. It raises legitimate and honest questions about the purpose and expression of faith (referencing examples primarily from historical Catholicism and modern-day Islam), theocracy, terrorism, and fundamentalism. This is a novel full of discussion points, but is perhaps one geared for the more mature YA audience.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanatics is about a boy named Garnet Havelock who wants to make and repair furniture for a living. He rents out a room in a coach house that belongs to the late Professeur Edurado Corbizzi companion Mrs. Valentina Stoppini. The rent that he has to pay is one dollar to stay for three years but in return he has to fix the fireplace that was burned and catalogue some of the books in the library. He agrees and starts working on the library but it isn't soon before he the secret cabinet hidden in one of the bookshelves. The things he finds in the cabinet lead him on one of the greatest mysteries of how Professeur really died.
I picked this book up because it's a Red Maple book and because the cover looked interesting.
I finished Fanatics because it's pretty good and I wanted to find out how Garnet would get rid of the ghost.
I would recommend this book to Aloka because she's also in Red Maple.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since his encounter with the supernatural in the middle of a winter storm, Garnet has been quietly pursuing his dream of being a cabinet maker. He now has the chance to restore a damaged library in the mansion of the late Prof. Cabirzzi, on the shores of an Ontario Lake. Little does he know that he will once again be dealing with a haunting. Throw in his developing relationship with his girlfriend, a terrorist plot in the forests of Orillia, and you have a thrilling read.

I picked the book up because I enjoyed the first one, Stones, and I know that William Bell is a wonderful writer.

I finished it, because I was curious about the historical aspects and I wanted to know how Garnet was going to deal with the haunting.

I would recommend this to Marco because he's not afraid of anything, and this will challenge him a bit.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great ghost story that successfully incorporates history from the Italian Renaissance. The author makes some bold suggestions about organized religion, but I think it will serve to make readers think and consider the place it holds in the world. The characters were likeable, the story moves quickly, and while I felt the ending was a bit too neat and tidy, I was completely engaged and found it difficult to put down. There is nothing in it that makes it inappropriate for middle school, but the complexity of the ideas might make this better for a high school audience.

[Jer Lesperance · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is easily THE worst book i’ve ever read. i was interested in this book because the book’s introduction from the author mentioned something about greek mythology and my 12 year old ass who was reading percy jackson was like “holy shit balls yeah”.
not ONCE do they mention greek mythology.
it’s all ghosts? and shit???
this book is SO confusing and the part where what’s her face is pregnant at the end is the worst plot twist i’ve ever seen ever. like this book is so bad i wish i could give it negative stars. don’t read it.

[Jeev · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was probably the most strangest book I have ever read. O.O...........I had absolutely no idea what was going on and took me time to get use to and understand, I have no idea how many time I have had to reread the same page over and over again......it was definitely something...O.o

UPDATE
Wow. I just realized that this was actually the second book in the series. No wonder it didn't make sense.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, well-written book that I didn't realize was a sequel - and you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.

Complex themes, interesting historical references and a suspenseful plot keep things moving well - while there is some mature content implied, nothing happens "on camera" and the resolution is swift.

[Yoits · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is about a boy name Garnet who makes a good but deadly deal with Valentina Stoppini, a woman who lives alone in an isolated Corbizzi mansion, who is also a good cook. He then started to notice something strange about the mansion and the professor who was the previous owner and died there. This is a really good mystery book, different from the other books.

[Dylan Dao · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first read, a very confusing novel that may not appeal to all audiences. If you take a closer look into the book though, you would realize that it expressed an extremely debatable topic that should be addressed and reflected on by all. William Bell manages to inspire thoughts through such a heavily veiled story. Recommend fully.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like Fanatics simply because the plot was too slow, even though things happened it was all kind of a blur because the author didn't describe it well enough. Then there were random ideas thrown in like her being pregnant, WHAT WAS THAT??? I just didn't like the book, end of story.

[Sai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like the book at all. Personally for me, I am not that keen to horror stories. But people who likes horror stories, this is one the best choice to read. However, I didnt like it very much.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I thought the beggining was a little slow, but it gets interesting when Garnet starts having crazy dreams. Garnet and Raphella solved the mystery. It is so suspensful!

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good book it got better near the end some points were a bit cheesey but other then that it was good.

[Ilakiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, but it was boring and hard to understand at some parts.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is ok to me,it's boring at the very beginnig but kind of creepy in the middle.

[Nujaimah Ahmed]

It wasn't really good. I don't recommend it for anybody who reads Fantasy or Fan Fiction.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like it was going in too many directions and that the connections were kind of forced, almost had enough plot to stretch into two books instead of pushing into one.