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Fee Simple Conditional
What lasts in this world? For Abigail Fischer, nothing lasts. Everyone and everything has left her. No family, no lover, no home. Until she found the magic key that lit the spark to make her whole. In the most unlikely place, just when she least expected. A dreary land record, that kept a secret for generations. An obscure phrase in a stolen document leads her to a destination she vows she will save, no matter the cost. It is something that can never be taken away, a paradise that will last forever. So far, everything she has relied on has fallen away or deserted her. Finally, she finds something that can endure. But she can't do it alone. Can she find the missing heir to fulfill the dream of a dying man? What must she sacrifice to keep that dream alive? How can she make it last?
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2020
22 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
H.C. Helfand
2 books15 followersH.C. Helfand is a Maryland lawyer and former Administrative Law Judge. She has published essays and an acclaimed children’s book, And There Was Evening And There Was Morning. Her first adult novels, Fee Simple Conditional and Clear and Convincing Evidence, tell stories of an attachment to land that transcends time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 2, 2022
I kept seeing this book pop up in my Twitter feed and the unique blurb sucked me in! I enjoy books with quirky characters and unique settings. FEE SIMPLE CONDITIONAL is set in the mid 1980’s and tells the story of Abigail Fischer, who at twenty-one has experienced loss in many aspects of her life. Her parents split up when she was young, and then she lost her mother who raised her to a stroke when she was just getting started in young adulthood and now has just started a job in the land record office hoping for a fresh start. While working at the title company, Abby discovers something unusual with regards to a particular plot of land that someone is trying to hide, and the mystery unfolds from there. I really like books that are quirky and unusual and so I enjoyed all the characters in this one, especially Abigail’s friendship with Maureen, and just really liked the development of all the side characters. Recommended for readers looking for a character-based narrative and mystery with a fun, quirky setting.
April 3, 2022
Fee Simple Conditional is a touching story with complex themes and life lessons. Upon first glance, Abby’s story seems simple and straightforward enough. However, there are subtle themes that run deep throughout the book, which made me fall in love with the story. The first is this idea of transforming and reinventing oneself. Multiple characters are presented with opportunities that allow them to either stay the course or completely transform their lives. For example, Jack Warfield chooses to cling to the way things have always been, and the reader witnesses the stagnation associated with this mindset. In contrast, characters like David decide to embrace change, and readers are shown a life full of potential that blossoms and grows before their very eyes.
The second theme is related to fulfilling one’s purpose in life and whether that is enough to make a difference. Helfand’s characters contemplate questions like: Do I matter in this world? Do my actions matter? Is what I do significant enough to be felt by those around me? Abby struggles with these thoughts as she wrestles with her work as a title abstractor. By the end of the book, the reader realizes that even the smallest of actions can have a ripple effect that impacts the lives of many in a profound way.
While Helfand provides excellent narration and insight into Abby’s thoughts, there were times that I craved more dialogue between the characters. Without giving any details away, I would have liked to have seen more dialogue between Abby and Ted at pivotal points in their relationship. To be clear, the dialogue that is present is believable and supports the interaction between characters, but I think additional dialogue would have brought more depth to relationships.
Overall, Helfand’s characters are realistic and well developed, and she shows readers that not all battles are fought and won with weapons. In many cases, good conquers evil through simple and courageous acts performed each day by the “average” person. Helfand has earned her place as a thoughtful and talented indie author, and I eagerly await her future work.
Read the full review at The Redhead Notes.
The second theme is related to fulfilling one’s purpose in life and whether that is enough to make a difference. Helfand’s characters contemplate questions like: Do I matter in this world? Do my actions matter? Is what I do significant enough to be felt by those around me? Abby struggles with these thoughts as she wrestles with her work as a title abstractor. By the end of the book, the reader realizes that even the smallest of actions can have a ripple effect that impacts the lives of many in a profound way.
While Helfand provides excellent narration and insight into Abby’s thoughts, there were times that I craved more dialogue between the characters. Without giving any details away, I would have liked to have seen more dialogue between Abby and Ted at pivotal points in their relationship. To be clear, the dialogue that is present is believable and supports the interaction between characters, but I think additional dialogue would have brought more depth to relationships.
Overall, Helfand’s characters are realistic and well developed, and she shows readers that not all battles are fought and won with weapons. In many cases, good conquers evil through simple and courageous acts performed each day by the “average” person. Helfand has earned her place as a thoughtful and talented indie author, and I eagerly await her future work.
Read the full review at The Redhead Notes.
April 10, 2022
When I picked up my copy of Fee Simple Conditional based on a Twitter recommendation, I had no idea what to expect. I hadn't even read the blurb. But what I got was a touching, heartwarming story about love, personal-growth, hope, and the permanence of land.
Although Abby's job at the Land Record Office in Baltimore, Maryland sounds mundane and uneventful, it's anything but. I loved reading about her eccentric cast of co-workers and all their antics. The fact that Helfand managed to make this job so interesting is a true testament to her writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book.
The chapters are incredible short, which made it feel like I was flying through the pages and had me reading late into the night on multiple occasions. Arcadia sounds like a lovely plot of land and I enjoyed learning about its history alongside Abby as she worked to settle the title.
Overall, this was an entertaining, well-written read with lots of well-rounded characters and important lessons. I look forward to reading more works by H.C. Helfand in the future!
Although Abby's job at the Land Record Office in Baltimore, Maryland sounds mundane and uneventful, it's anything but. I loved reading about her eccentric cast of co-workers and all their antics. The fact that Helfand managed to make this job so interesting is a true testament to her writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book.
The chapters are incredible short, which made it feel like I was flying through the pages and had me reading late into the night on multiple occasions. Arcadia sounds like a lovely plot of land and I enjoyed learning about its history alongside Abby as she worked to settle the title.
Overall, this was an entertaining, well-written read with lots of well-rounded characters and important lessons. I look forward to reading more works by H.C. Helfand in the future!
September 2, 2021
A beautiful beautiful magical book that you don’t want to end. A page turner with so many surprises. Just wonderful.
December 23, 2021
I bought this book from Amazon after reading a recommendation from a friend. I didn’t know what to expect from the title and wasn’t familiar with the author’s writing. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book because it is excellent. Main character Abigail Fischer has led a life filled with loss and grief, causing her to conclude that nothing good lasts forever. Then she lands a job with a land title company despite having no experience in the field. Soon she’s surrounded by a room full of unique and eclectic characters who inhabit the Land Record Office and it’s there that the real story begins. Author H.C. Helfand takes us on a heartbreaking, though sometimes humorous, tale as the reader clings to the hope that Abigail will eventually find love and happiness. In the end, in all comes down to the love of land, which grounds us all. This is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a well written excellent novel and I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2023
If cozy legal fiction isn't already a subgenre, I'm declaring this the first of its kind. I wish a book like this had been presented during property law, as the contextual grounding of what the terms mean and how they operate in the real world would have made the entire subject more accessible. But this is in no way a textbook, but reads like a fictional autobiography of one remarkable young woman's unexpected career path, the people who shaped her life, and how one unexpected title changed the course of her heart for the better. A wholesome and life-affirming read.
February 4, 2022
Fee Simple Conditional is an interesting novel about a woman, Abigail, who uncovers something suspicious at her job doing title searches. It's a unique premise and I enjoyed the pacing and quality of writing. Many of the side characters are co-workers and each of them is compelling for some reason or other.
I did find the romantic sub-plot to be a bit clinical and it could have used more emotion.
I did find the romantic sub-plot to be a bit clinical and it could have used more emotion.
April 13, 2022
An interesting look into one young woman's life as she finds herself immersed in the business of land titles. She's surrounded by a host of memorable characters who each play a role in the few years you follow her. I wasn't always certain where the story was going, particularly in the first half, but I found myself enjoying the writingso much it didn't really matter. And the end ties it all together quite nicely.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
August 28, 2023
Fascinating book that dives deep into the field of land conveyance. The characters are well drawn and very real with complex relationships.
March 13, 2022
Don’t miss this one
H.C. Helfand can write.
How do I know this? Well, for starters, her novel Fee Simple Conditional contains none of the following elements: serial killers, murders of any kind, superheroes, natural disasters, dragons or aliens.
Then what is it about, you ask?
It’s about land.
Empty, vacant parcels of land and the underpaid workers whose job it it is to track ownership.
Obviously it’s about much more than that, but when you can base your book around something as mundane as the world of real estate and title searches and make it absolutely compelling, your writing chops are strong.
I’ve always been a fan of simple stories told beautifully, and that’s exactly what FSC is. Horror newbies often ask which Steven King book is the most underrated, and I always mention the Girl who loved Tom Gordon. There are no demons, no monsters under the bed (or killer clowns in the sewer for that matter). It’s a simple story about a little girl lost in the woods.
And it is great.
Likewise, Helfand quickly gets us invested in the dusty world of the Records Office and the exacting but mundane work of the abstractors, a job I had never even heard of.
But it’s really about Abby and Mo and Jack and David and a bunch of other characters that I quickly came to know and care about.
It’s simply one of the best indie books I’ve read.
I fear the quirky title (a reference to antiquated legalese) may keep some readers away, and that would be a shame. Because this book need TB on your TBR.
Among other subtle messages, it deftly reminds us that things we don’t understand are churning just below the surface of this crazy world, and a chance encounter may create slow-developing but long-lasting ripples.
H.C. Helfand can write.
How do I know this? Well, for starters, her novel Fee Simple Conditional contains none of the following elements: serial killers, murders of any kind, superheroes, natural disasters, dragons or aliens.
Then what is it about, you ask?
It’s about land.
Empty, vacant parcels of land and the underpaid workers whose job it it is to track ownership.
Obviously it’s about much more than that, but when you can base your book around something as mundane as the world of real estate and title searches and make it absolutely compelling, your writing chops are strong.
I’ve always been a fan of simple stories told beautifully, and that’s exactly what FSC is. Horror newbies often ask which Steven King book is the most underrated, and I always mention the Girl who loved Tom Gordon. There are no demons, no monsters under the bed (or killer clowns in the sewer for that matter). It’s a simple story about a little girl lost in the woods.
And it is great.
Likewise, Helfand quickly gets us invested in the dusty world of the Records Office and the exacting but mundane work of the abstractors, a job I had never even heard of.
But it’s really about Abby and Mo and Jack and David and a bunch of other characters that I quickly came to know and care about.
It’s simply one of the best indie books I’ve read.
I fear the quirky title (a reference to antiquated legalese) may keep some readers away, and that would be a shame. Because this book need TB on your TBR.
Among other subtle messages, it deftly reminds us that things we don’t understand are churning just below the surface of this crazy world, and a chance encounter may create slow-developing but long-lasting ripples.
June 1, 2022
Fee Simple Conditional by H.C. Helfand is a captivating read in more ways than one. On the surface, the plot appears straightforward: a woman with a new job, a life falling apart, and a redeeming task that transforms. However, the best novels layer characters and plot in a way that makes them rich and fulfilling. Fee Simple Conditional is one of those novels.
This is a rather quick read, with short chapters that had me turning the pages. I honestly did not expect that what appears to be a rather mundane job--that within a title company--could be so captivating as to make me think it is something I might have wanted to do when I was younger. It was in how Helfand portrayed the main character and the almost fun way the job was portrayed that put me right inside the story in a way that I haven't in years.
Abigail Fischer, the main character and narrator, has not had the easiest life. Loss and grief have tainted her view of the world, and yet through interactions with unique characters inside a Land Record Office and the discovery of a mystery that leads to purpose, Abigail transforms a tiny corner of the world through persistence and courage.
Fee Simple Conditional is outside my normal reading genre, but I am pleased that I picked it up to read. This is a story that will stay with me, and I'd be hard pressed to find another book in this genre that would do the same. I look forward to more from H.C. Helfand and eager await the second book in the Arcadia series.
This is a rather quick read, with short chapters that had me turning the pages. I honestly did not expect that what appears to be a rather mundane job--that within a title company--could be so captivating as to make me think it is something I might have wanted to do when I was younger. It was in how Helfand portrayed the main character and the almost fun way the job was portrayed that put me right inside the story in a way that I haven't in years.
Abigail Fischer, the main character and narrator, has not had the easiest life. Loss and grief have tainted her view of the world, and yet through interactions with unique characters inside a Land Record Office and the discovery of a mystery that leads to purpose, Abigail transforms a tiny corner of the world through persistence and courage.
Fee Simple Conditional is outside my normal reading genre, but I am pleased that I picked it up to read. This is a story that will stay with me, and I'd be hard pressed to find another book in this genre that would do the same. I look forward to more from H.C. Helfand and eager await the second book in the Arcadia series.
August 4, 2022
I was intrigued by the title, not knowing what to expect. What I found was a delightful surprise!
This book is so well written that I could vividly picture each character and scene.
I entered a world where disappointment and despair were balanced by humour, love and introspection.
This is no ordinary novel; it lays bare the life of a lonely young woman who finds a place in the quirky world of researching real estate titles.
And quirky is the word. The cast of characters in the courthouse records room are diverse, intriguing, hostile and downright nuts. But as a whole, they embrace Abby and take her under their wing to become a valued member of the odd community of Abstractors.
There is something in this book for everyone, heartache, romance, humour, and more than one scoundrel.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This book is so well written that I could vividly picture each character and scene.
I entered a world where disappointment and despair were balanced by humour, love and introspection.
This is no ordinary novel; it lays bare the life of a lonely young woman who finds a place in the quirky world of researching real estate titles.
And quirky is the word. The cast of characters in the courthouse records room are diverse, intriguing, hostile and downright nuts. But as a whole, they embrace Abby and take her under their wing to become a valued member of the odd community of Abstractors.
There is something in this book for everyone, heartache, romance, humour, and more than one scoundrel.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 1, 2022
H.C. Hefland’s ‘Fee Simple Conditional’ seems a straightforward slice-of-life novel, yet it is anything but. While an easy read with short chapters and simple prose, like life itself, under the surface there is vast complexity and deeper meaning that is painfully relatable.
When readers meet her, Abby Fischer has spent most of her life lost and alone. Everything comes and goes, despite how badly she wants to hold onto it. She doesn’t truly know who she is or what she wants until she happens to land in a rather unusual job with even more unusual (and charming) characters. Slowly and surely, events unfold to reveal who Abby really is and what she’s truly capable of, and the title of the book becomes crystal clear in a beautiful, well-thought-out way.
In the first half of the novel, readers bond with Abby and all she’s been through. There are heartbreaking moments, twists and turns, and even times when it feels as though the narration drifts much like Abby does (This is masterfully done and captivating in its parallel to the character). Then, in the second half of the novel, the pieces slowly start falling into place, guiding Abby to the type of person she was always meant to be and a solid place in the world. In the end, as we all hope to, she finds her happiness.
Fee Simple Conditional is a well-crafted, subtle yet sublime view of the amazing journey a life can take. One job, one choice, one encounter can change everything. Simply put, this book is incredible, and for anyone looking for a light in life that can seem dark, pick up this book. It’s sure to warm your heart and renew your sense of hope.
When readers meet her, Abby Fischer has spent most of her life lost and alone. Everything comes and goes, despite how badly she wants to hold onto it. She doesn’t truly know who she is or what she wants until she happens to land in a rather unusual job with even more unusual (and charming) characters. Slowly and surely, events unfold to reveal who Abby really is and what she’s truly capable of, and the title of the book becomes crystal clear in a beautiful, well-thought-out way.
In the first half of the novel, readers bond with Abby and all she’s been through. There are heartbreaking moments, twists and turns, and even times when it feels as though the narration drifts much like Abby does (This is masterfully done and captivating in its parallel to the character). Then, in the second half of the novel, the pieces slowly start falling into place, guiding Abby to the type of person she was always meant to be and a solid place in the world. In the end, as we all hope to, she finds her happiness.
Fee Simple Conditional is a well-crafted, subtle yet sublime view of the amazing journey a life can take. One job, one choice, one encounter can change everything. Simply put, this book is incredible, and for anyone looking for a light in life that can seem dark, pick up this book. It’s sure to warm your heart and renew your sense of hope.
March 14, 2023
A Quiet and Charming Story
This is a quiet book, relatively light on conflict but with some colorful and interesting characters. The story centers on Abby Fischer, a property title researcher, and her decision not to let a local shyster get away with stealing an idyllic piece of land through his manipulation of the title process.
The writing is clean, and the story is character-driven. The voice is very internal; we see a lot of Abby’s interiority. There’s a lot of backstory and relatively little dialog, but it works. The voice and energy of the text reinforce the reader’s sense of the character of Abby.
The author’s knowledge of legal processes and familiarity with Maryland and New England comes through and adds authenticity and authority to the text. I particularly loved the reference to the big blue bug on Route 95 near Providence, as I’ve driven past that landmark myself many times.
This is a short book at only 226 pages. Quiet and sweet, it’s not the kind of book I usually read, but I enjoyed it.
This is a quiet book, relatively light on conflict but with some colorful and interesting characters. The story centers on Abby Fischer, a property title researcher, and her decision not to let a local shyster get away with stealing an idyllic piece of land through his manipulation of the title process.
The writing is clean, and the story is character-driven. The voice is very internal; we see a lot of Abby’s interiority. There’s a lot of backstory and relatively little dialog, but it works. The voice and energy of the text reinforce the reader’s sense of the character of Abby.
The author’s knowledge of legal processes and familiarity with Maryland and New England comes through and adds authenticity and authority to the text. I particularly loved the reference to the big blue bug on Route 95 near Providence, as I’ve driven past that landmark myself many times.
This is a short book at only 226 pages. Quiet and sweet, it’s not the kind of book I usually read, but I enjoyed it.
September 22, 2023
Fee Simple Conditional is a light, breezy slice-of-life tale about the surprisingly intriguing intricacies of land surveying outside of Baltimore told through the eyes of one character, Abigail. Helfand builds a wonderful sense of place around the work described and Abigail’s POV.
The novel starts and finishes strong, though it meanders through anecdotes and side characters for awhile before it gets into the major plot line. Along the way you’ll find a little bit of a melodrama and a little bit of romance.
Overall, I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different and lighter…or if you have even a passing interest in land surveying (which I didn’t realize I did until I read this!)
The novel starts and finishes strong, though it meanders through anecdotes and side characters for awhile before it gets into the major plot line. Along the way you’ll find a little bit of a melodrama and a little bit of romance.
Overall, I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different and lighter…or if you have even a passing interest in land surveying (which I didn’t realize I did until I read this!)
August 29, 2023
Simply charming
This is a beautifully written, clean read that gives us a glimpse into the stuffy offices of deed management. The characters were portrayed so realistically that they became people that I feel I once knew. The female protagonist could have been based upon any average woman of her age, yet the more I read, the more layers to her personality and tenacity shined through. This is a short, light-hearted book that captured my interest from start to finish, and I can’t recommend it more. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This is a beautifully written, clean read that gives us a glimpse into the stuffy offices of deed management. The characters were portrayed so realistically that they became people that I feel I once knew. The female protagonist could have been based upon any average woman of her age, yet the more I read, the more layers to her personality and tenacity shined through. This is a short, light-hearted book that captured my interest from start to finish, and I can’t recommend it more. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
October 17, 2023
An intriguing book as I have never been exposed to US land titles before and this is heavily linked to the story. Beneath the detailed subject matter is a story of family history and a budding romance. One of the most unique books I have read this year.
December 14, 2022
'Fee Simple Conditional' ~ doesn't the title draw you in?
The title of this book intrigued me and I had to know more. Of course, now having read this gem of a book I know what FSC ( Fee Simple Conditional) stands for, but the context has a lot to do with the heart of the story itself so I will leave you to find out.
This story by HC Helfand is a journey of self discovery and growth . One young woman who stumbles into a profession she knows nothing about ends up finding her calling, her purpose in life and also along the way, true love .
What I loved about the book , was the narrative~ factual without burdening the reader with a data dump, the author's style of writing, as she delved into the mind of Abigail Fischer ~ a tongue in cheek sense of humor, that will no doubt make you crack into a smile and on occasion break out into a laugh. Then there is the poigancy of certain emotional moments ~ when Abby feels that her life is utterly and completely devastated or her interactions with other key characters in the book.
While the primary focus, is of course on Abby, the other characters are well fleshed out and never come across as caricatures or cardboard characters. The author makes their pathos or charm or joie de vivre come alive brilliantly.
Abigail herself is vulnerable, having had a very unconventional childhood, and her growth as the story progresses is worth exploring as a reader.
The beauty of the book lies in you the reader becoming a part of Abgail's story ~ her highs and lows, her celebrations and her sorrows, her heartbreak and her finding love. Its all there in these pages. I would also like to mention that the ending has a special touch of serendipity, which I really loved, it was the perfect embellishment for a great book.
And finally on a lighter note for those of you who like stories with pets, there is also an adorable cat, Bongo with a distinctive personality of his own.
Having read Book I will definitely be reading 'Clear and Convincing Evidence' ( Book II of the Arcadia Chronicles). A must read and unique literary fiction series with a slice of real life to keep things interesting.
The title of this book intrigued me and I had to know more. Of course, now having read this gem of a book I know what FSC ( Fee Simple Conditional) stands for, but the context has a lot to do with the heart of the story itself so I will leave you to find out.
This story by HC Helfand is a journey of self discovery and growth . One young woman who stumbles into a profession she knows nothing about ends up finding her calling, her purpose in life and also along the way, true love .
What I loved about the book , was the narrative~ factual without burdening the reader with a data dump, the author's style of writing, as she delved into the mind of Abigail Fischer ~ a tongue in cheek sense of humor, that will no doubt make you crack into a smile and on occasion break out into a laugh. Then there is the poigancy of certain emotional moments ~ when Abby feels that her life is utterly and completely devastated or her interactions with other key characters in the book.
While the primary focus, is of course on Abby, the other characters are well fleshed out and never come across as caricatures or cardboard characters. The author makes their pathos or charm or joie de vivre come alive brilliantly.
Abigail herself is vulnerable, having had a very unconventional childhood, and her growth as the story progresses is worth exploring as a reader.
The beauty of the book lies in you the reader becoming a part of Abgail's story ~ her highs and lows, her celebrations and her sorrows, her heartbreak and her finding love. Its all there in these pages. I would also like to mention that the ending has a special touch of serendipity, which I really loved, it was the perfect embellishment for a great book.
And finally on a lighter note for those of you who like stories with pets, there is also an adorable cat, Bongo with a distinctive personality of his own.
Having read Book I will definitely be reading 'Clear and Convincing Evidence' ( Book II of the Arcadia Chronicles). A must read and unique literary fiction series with a slice of real life to keep things interesting.
July 12, 2022
I am absolutely blown away by H. C. Helfand's debut novel “Fee Simple Conditional.”
I started reading this novel—as I prefer to—with minimal knowledge about the story beforehand. I feel that the rewards the reader will experience in discovery this way will be amplified. I was wholly surprised, enthralled, and delighted in immersing myself in the author's carefully constructed and unique setting. The author's protagonist Abigail (Abby) is written from the heart, and is wise beyond her years. She joins a cavalcade of charming supporting characters; Mo, David, Jack, Ted, Raoul, and even Bongo the cat. The novel is constructed into two major parts; the first establishes Abby's new job, its intricacies and mysteries, and the host of friends and coworkers she interacts with. In the second part, once the meaning and consequences of the novel's title are explained, you'll be racing to its satisfying and wholesome conclusion. I hesitate to reveal too much here, as I feel that will detract from the rewards in finding out for yourself. Just dive right in!
As as author myself, I know how brutally difficult it can be to construct worlds, characters, plots, and actions that will captivate and entertain readers. Ms. Helfand is a master, and I am in awe of the sheer heartwarming feeling I felt while reading this book. I must confess that I am also a bit jealous Ms. Helfand's magical writing style—intimate, heartfelt, and honest. You'll truly care about the characters and situations. I hope this story is just the beginning, because I can't wait to return to it!
Please run and pick up “Fee Simple Conditional.” I give it my highest recommendation!
I started reading this novel—as I prefer to—with minimal knowledge about the story beforehand. I feel that the rewards the reader will experience in discovery this way will be amplified. I was wholly surprised, enthralled, and delighted in immersing myself in the author's carefully constructed and unique setting. The author's protagonist Abigail (Abby) is written from the heart, and is wise beyond her years. She joins a cavalcade of charming supporting characters; Mo, David, Jack, Ted, Raoul, and even Bongo the cat. The novel is constructed into two major parts; the first establishes Abby's new job, its intricacies and mysteries, and the host of friends and coworkers she interacts with. In the second part, once the meaning and consequences of the novel's title are explained, you'll be racing to its satisfying and wholesome conclusion. I hesitate to reveal too much here, as I feel that will detract from the rewards in finding out for yourself. Just dive right in!
As as author myself, I know how brutally difficult it can be to construct worlds, characters, plots, and actions that will captivate and entertain readers. Ms. Helfand is a master, and I am in awe of the sheer heartwarming feeling I felt while reading this book. I must confess that I am also a bit jealous Ms. Helfand's magical writing style—intimate, heartfelt, and honest. You'll truly care about the characters and situations. I hope this story is just the beginning, because I can't wait to return to it!
Please run and pick up “Fee Simple Conditional.” I give it my highest recommendation!
July 5, 2023
I liked the book cover, which drew me in, but found the title off-putting. Since it sounded lawyerly, I looked it up and asked my son, a lawyer, to expound upon it. The title fits the book. Still, I wish the author, H. C. Helfand, had chosen a more engaging one to attract and not dispel readers from the get-go. Not everyone knows that term: “Fee Simple Conditional,” I’m sure, and like me, will have to or had to research it.
That said, I think Helfand did an admirable job for a debut novel. I expected good writing because the author is a lawyer, and I wasn’t disappointed. I liked her short chapters, well-rounded characters, and I was pleasantly surprised by the storyline and the author’s witticism. I especially enjoyed the POV of the main character, Abby Fischer.
Helfand created a wonderful protagonist due to her self-deprecation, her peculiar relationship with Eileen, her mother, and Ted, her husband. And most of all, her attitude to what life dished out to her. Abby is to be admired for her spunky and tenacious personality, whittled from a difficult childhood.
I felt a kindred spirit with Abby, who came to love the land, and obviously, with the author, who writes about it with a tenderness deserving of a lover. I enjoyed the setting, having been to Maryland various times. It’s a pleasure to recommend this fast, precious little read and I look forward to the next book in The Arcadia Chronicles.
June 17, 2022
This unique book moved me more than any book has this year. It touched something deep inside my soul, and that 'something' has more than one layer: my love of nature, my passion for saving it, and my yearning to live in the country. I was in tears several times, not because anything tragic or even sad happened but because it spoke to my spirit and the things that are missing in my life, consciously and perhaps subconsciously.
I think of this book as being divided into two segments. The first segment reads like a memoir, sharing various incidents from the narrator's life that define who she is and what she does. It's lighthearted and often amusing as we get to know her, her past, her daily life, and her relationships with her coworkers. The second segment gets into the nitty gritty of the story: the narrator's efforts to save an untouched piece of paradise from development. I won't give anything away, but she finds more than just legal answers along the way.
The writing is beautiful and you can truly tell that the author knows what she is writing about. I highly recommend this book. It's different than anything I've ever read before...in a good way.
I think of this book as being divided into two segments. The first segment reads like a memoir, sharing various incidents from the narrator's life that define who she is and what she does. It's lighthearted and often amusing as we get to know her, her past, her daily life, and her relationships with her coworkers. The second segment gets into the nitty gritty of the story: the narrator's efforts to save an untouched piece of paradise from development. I won't give anything away, but she finds more than just legal answers along the way.
The writing is beautiful and you can truly tell that the author knows what she is writing about. I highly recommend this book. It's different than anything I've ever read before...in a good way.
February 27, 2022
Helfand tells the journey of a woman who is finding her place in life, both in love and work, and the pivotal moments that led her to become who she is and who she ends up with. While the story presents a small land title mystery, as the book is primarily based in a title office where our MC works, the heart of the story is about our MC and her journey. The book reads as almost an autobiography about an important few years that dramatically changed her life plan in an almost “how I met your father” fashion. With a fun cast of characters guiding her along the journey, this story is more about her and how working in that title office changed her life.
July 22, 2022
I'm not quite sure how to describe this book, so I'll refrain from using adjetives to do it. I prefer to tell you how I felt.
I felt intrigued, I felt pulled in, and I felt as if was being easily carried through the story.
If there is one thing I missed, it was that building-up tension and a big climax. But then again, not every story needs to have that.
There are some surprises along the way which I totally didn't see coming, so that's always a plus. All in all, I enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the simplicity of the plot. I think simple stories are some of the best stories out there.
I felt intrigued, I felt pulled in, and I felt as if was being easily carried through the story.
If there is one thing I missed, it was that building-up tension and a big climax. But then again, not every story needs to have that.
There are some surprises along the way which I totally didn't see coming, so that's always a plus. All in all, I enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the simplicity of the plot. I think simple stories are some of the best stories out there.
February 13, 2021
As a realtor
As a realtor living in Baltimore Maryland I found this book a very quick easy read it's pretty factual and interesting especially hearing it from the title perspective and how the job is changed in some of the years
As a realtor living in Baltimore Maryland I found this book a very quick easy read it's pretty factual and interesting especially hearing it from the title perspective and how the job is changed in some of the years
July 10, 2023
Such beauty, I don't know where to begin
For its beautiful prose, compelling, winding story, and wonderful characters, thus is the best book I have read in a very long while. Not to be cheesy, but I feel elevated having read it.
For its beautiful prose, compelling, winding story, and wonderful characters, thus is the best book I have read in a very long while. Not to be cheesy, but I feel elevated having read it.
July 29, 2022
Soon after starting this book, I found I could not stop reading it. It’s a story of loss, perseverance, and hope that had me rooting for the MC. A twist of fate that would lead her to love.
November 11, 2023
"I was, in the vernacular, a title gnome who slaved away in the galley of a Land Record office, surrounded by crumbling and musty books telling the tales of land ownership."
“Fee Simple Conditional” by H.C. Helfand opens a door into the most exciting world of…titles. If you aren’t an American lawyer practising land ownership law – or whatever it’s called correctly – you’ll probably be as surprised as I was to find out how much this short word – ‘titles’ – hides in its depths. As I read on Abigail’s story, I understood what titles mean from the context. But I still asked my husband who is indeed a lawyer – practising cross-border commercial law, not land law, though – if he knew what ‘titles’ were. Of course, he knew, like he knows millions of similarly peculiar law-related things. Anyway, the story isn’t about my husband’s extensive and my limited knowledge. It is about Abigail Fisher who loved land and what came out of that love.
"After a brief, excruciatingly failed stint working behind the cosmetic counter at Hutzler’s, a venerable department store, I managed to be hired by Dependable Title to do a job about which I knew nothing at all." And so begins Abigail’s exciting journey through the jungle of titles. Yes, it turns out to be exciting rather than boring, even though, at first glance, what thrill can be there, among the dusty folders containing deeds, contracts, official letters and whatnot that has something to do with land ownership rights. Abigail soon learns that these dusty books contain more than paper – they keep history. Sad and happy, intriguing and sometimes complex stories of lands, homes, and people.
As Abigail navigates through her unexpected career in Dependable Title, spending more and more time among the quirky inhabitants of the local Land Record office, she learns a few secrets she would have been happy not to ever uncover. Some are related to her job duties, while others turn her family life upside down.
“Fee Simple Conditional” was a pure delight to read. I love it when a book has a unique setting, and the author makes it into an almost separate character that becomes an integral part of the story. But often, probably due to the publisher’s technical requirements or, in some cases, the author’s creative vision, the setting fades into the background. I am always disappointed when it happens, as it happened, for example, with “Airport” and “Hotel” by Arthur Hailey. It is, of course, my subjective perception of the aforementioned and highly acclaimed novels.
I’m looking forward to reading “Clear and Convincing Evidence”, book two of the compelling Arcadia Chronicles series.
“Fee Simple Conditional” by H.C. Helfand opens a door into the most exciting world of…titles. If you aren’t an American lawyer practising land ownership law – or whatever it’s called correctly – you’ll probably be as surprised as I was to find out how much this short word – ‘titles’ – hides in its depths. As I read on Abigail’s story, I understood what titles mean from the context. But I still asked my husband who is indeed a lawyer – practising cross-border commercial law, not land law, though – if he knew what ‘titles’ were. Of course, he knew, like he knows millions of similarly peculiar law-related things. Anyway, the story isn’t about my husband’s extensive and my limited knowledge. It is about Abigail Fisher who loved land and what came out of that love.
"After a brief, excruciatingly failed stint working behind the cosmetic counter at Hutzler’s, a venerable department store, I managed to be hired by Dependable Title to do a job about which I knew nothing at all." And so begins Abigail’s exciting journey through the jungle of titles. Yes, it turns out to be exciting rather than boring, even though, at first glance, what thrill can be there, among the dusty folders containing deeds, contracts, official letters and whatnot that has something to do with land ownership rights. Abigail soon learns that these dusty books contain more than paper – they keep history. Sad and happy, intriguing and sometimes complex stories of lands, homes, and people.
As Abigail navigates through her unexpected career in Dependable Title, spending more and more time among the quirky inhabitants of the local Land Record office, she learns a few secrets she would have been happy not to ever uncover. Some are related to her job duties, while others turn her family life upside down.
“Fee Simple Conditional” was a pure delight to read. I love it when a book has a unique setting, and the author makes it into an almost separate character that becomes an integral part of the story. But often, probably due to the publisher’s technical requirements or, in some cases, the author’s creative vision, the setting fades into the background. I am always disappointed when it happens, as it happened, for example, with “Airport” and “Hotel” by Arthur Hailey. It is, of course, my subjective perception of the aforementioned and highly acclaimed novels.
I’m looking forward to reading “Clear and Convincing Evidence”, book two of the compelling Arcadia Chronicles series.
December 19, 2022
So here is where we meet Jack Warfield in Fee Simple Conditional.
"Behind the door, an older man, his filament-like hair standing on end, bellowed.
"The stem of his umbrella, surrounded by the flaccid remains of the black nylon canopy, poked violently at the confining glass walls of the enclosure."
Yup. Clap clap clap. I wanted more of this character. Having read the "look inside" feature on Amazon, I was in.
As it turned out, the book is laden with unique, difficult, interesting, funny, unpleasant, lovely and distressed characters, from Jack to the main character, Abby Fischer; to her husband and her friends; and particularly those working in the land titles office. Like Jack.
Abby's life has been hard, but she has survived to become a caring, engaged and even forgiving human. As she learns the workings of the office, yet more life-changing events come her way; and she deals with them all as I would hope we all would, even as pain enters her heart yet again.
At the core of the book is Arcadia, a piece of land that needs saving from nefarious individuals, and which in many ways saves Abby.
Nearer the end, I hoped for perhaps a bit more ah . . . passion, shall we say. That, of course, is a personal preference.
Yet that preference did not affect my complete and utter enjoyment of this wonderful debut novel from H.C. Helfand. I cannot wait to read the second in the series.
"Behind the door, an older man, his filament-like hair standing on end, bellowed.
"The stem of his umbrella, surrounded by the flaccid remains of the black nylon canopy, poked violently at the confining glass walls of the enclosure."
Yup. Clap clap clap. I wanted more of this character. Having read the "look inside" feature on Amazon, I was in.
As it turned out, the book is laden with unique, difficult, interesting, funny, unpleasant, lovely and distressed characters, from Jack to the main character, Abby Fischer; to her husband and her friends; and particularly those working in the land titles office. Like Jack.
Abby's life has been hard, but she has survived to become a caring, engaged and even forgiving human. As she learns the workings of the office, yet more life-changing events come her way; and she deals with them all as I would hope we all would, even as pain enters her heart yet again.
At the core of the book is Arcadia, a piece of land that needs saving from nefarious individuals, and which in many ways saves Abby.
Nearer the end, I hoped for perhaps a bit more ah . . . passion, shall we say. That, of course, is a personal preference.
Yet that preference did not affect my complete and utter enjoyment of this wonderful debut novel from H.C. Helfand. I cannot wait to read the second in the series.
January 5, 2022
A gem of a read about life, love and land…
H.C. Helfand delivers an uplifting and wonderfully written story of ‘Abigail Fischer’ who becomes used to loss from an early age in many aspects of her life and while this may sound dreary, it is far from it.
With a style of writing can be best described as charming, pages turn quickly as the short chapters fly by capturing ‘Abby’ and her journey. She finds a job in the Land Record office joining a host of wonderful colorful characters capturing this new world filled with variety and opportunity. One particular patch of land sets her life in motion towards hope and as a reader you want ‘Abby’ to find happiness and success. In between, there’s drama and even some unexpected twists that make for an enjoyable reading experience following one woman as her life follows an interesting path of heartbreak, triumph and even destiny in what is a gem of a read about life, love and land.
Great stories like this deserve way more attention and this is a book that I would highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for something positive and uplifting.
‘Despite life’s inevitable changes, some things are simply unconditional…’
H.C. Helfand delivers an uplifting and wonderfully written story of ‘Abigail Fischer’ who becomes used to loss from an early age in many aspects of her life and while this may sound dreary, it is far from it.
With a style of writing can be best described as charming, pages turn quickly as the short chapters fly by capturing ‘Abby’ and her journey. She finds a job in the Land Record office joining a host of wonderful colorful characters capturing this new world filled with variety and opportunity. One particular patch of land sets her life in motion towards hope and as a reader you want ‘Abby’ to find happiness and success. In between, there’s drama and even some unexpected twists that make for an enjoyable reading experience following one woman as her life follows an interesting path of heartbreak, triumph and even destiny in what is a gem of a read about life, love and land.
Great stories like this deserve way more attention and this is a book that I would highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for something positive and uplifting.
‘Despite life’s inevitable changes, some things are simply unconditional…’
September 26, 2023
H.C. Helfand’s debut novel, FEE SIMPLE CONDITIONAL, is a charming, often poignant coming-of-age story. Abigail “Abby” Fischer loves land and makes a living researching property titles, working with a cadre of eccentric colleagues. And because Abby is kind, she tackles a thorny case for her ailing friend Mo and discovers irregularities that might save a paradise from commercial development if she can build a solid case. Beautifully written with steady pacing, a slew of surprises, and an alluring romantic subplot, the novel examines the vital link between work and personal satisfaction. It also introduces a protagonist whose adventures continue in a sequel. Frankly, I can’t wait to read this author’s second book because Abby is a spunky, resourceful heroine, and I also liked her other characters including Bongo the cat. H.C. Helfand’s work brims with colorful Baltimore details in the manner of Anne Tyler and Laura Lippman, and I highly recommend FEE SIMPLE CONDITIONAL, a book I couldn’t put down.
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