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Once Were Brothers
The Thomas family’s lives will never be the same again when seven-year-old Daniel Thomas is abducted from the family farm in New Zealand’s Far North by Maoris opposed to the presence of white settlers. Daniel’s father devotes his remaining years to searching for his missing blue-eyed, blond-haired son. Until his death a decade later, he’s assisted in his search by Daniel’s identical twin brother Benjamin. Like his late father, Benjamin believes Daniel is still alive. Twenty years later and now a family man himself with children of his own, Benjamin receives a tip-off that could confirm one way or another whether his brother is alive or dead.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2019
9 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Lance Morcan
20 books618 followersNew Zealand novelist and screenwriter Lance Morcan is a prolific author with more than 30 published fiction and non-fiction books to his credit as well as several screenplay adaptations of his work. A former journalist and newspaper editor, he regularly writes in collaboration with his son James Morcan, and their books are published by Sterling Gate Books.
The father-and-son team's published books include the crime thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) and the bestselling historical adventures White Spirit and Into the Americas.
They also have several series on the market including:
The Orphan Trilogy, an international thriller series.
The globetrotting action-romance series The World Duology.
And the controversial non-fiction franchise The Underground Knowledge Series.
The Morcans have adapted several of their novels as feature film screenplays and these are in early development.
An additional non-fiction title, Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the genocide.
The Morcans' books have been translated into eight languages (Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, French, Afrikaans, German).
Lance's first solo-authored novel, an epic historical adventure titled New Zealand: A Novel was published in December 2024. A tale of conflict, lust and adventure, it spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans.
From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south. A land Maori will name Aotearoa.
Watch this space! https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/categ...
The father-and-son team's published books include the crime thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) and the bestselling historical adventures White Spirit and Into the Americas.
They also have several series on the market including:
The Orphan Trilogy, an international thriller series.
The globetrotting action-romance series The World Duology.
And the controversial non-fiction franchise The Underground Knowledge Series.
The Morcans have adapted several of their novels as feature film screenplays and these are in early development.
An additional non-fiction title, Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the genocide.
The Morcans' books have been translated into eight languages (Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, French, Afrikaans, German).
Lance's first solo-authored novel, an epic historical adventure titled New Zealand: A Novel was published in December 2024. A tale of conflict, lust and adventure, it spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans.
From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south. A land Maori will name Aotearoa.
Watch this space! https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/categ...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 9, 2020
Fantastic Story. I found myself reading faster and faster to find out what was going to happen. Which is always a great sign that I’m enjoying a book. Lance Morcan has that wonderful ability in coming up with such a variety of wonderful stories, and each one of them has thrilled and entertained me for hours.
Benjamin and Daniel Thomas had it pretty good for a couple of seven-year old’s growing up on their family’s farm. They had so much land to run around on and burn up all that energy that young boys have at their age. However, being out of sight of their parents on the farm and surrounding land wasn’t always a good thing, as they were both about to find out. It’s every parents’ worst nightmare when Daniel is abducted and vanishes into thin air. A great read from start to finish. 5/5 Star Rating.
Benjamin and Daniel Thomas had it pretty good for a couple of seven-year old’s growing up on their family’s farm. They had so much land to run around on and burn up all that energy that young boys have at their age. However, being out of sight of their parents on the farm and surrounding land wasn’t always a good thing, as they were both about to find out. It’s every parents’ worst nightmare when Daniel is abducted and vanishes into thin air. A great read from start to finish. 5/5 Star Rating.
December 22, 2019
NB: This is a review from the publisher
December 25, 2019
‘They got Daniel!’
New Zealand novelist and screenwriter Lance Morcan is a former journalist and newspaper editor with over twenty published books to his credit. Often he writes in collaboration with his son James Morcan, but this short story is another solo for Lance.
Short story composition is a challenging medium: the ability to capture the reader’s attention with focused characters and a plot that can be condensed is a gift Lance Morcan owns. In this tale we are transported to the year 1880 and the seeds of the mystery are well planted in the opening page: ‘Ingrid Thomas smiled as she watched her husband Nathaniel and their two young sons working side by side on the family farm in New Zealand’s Far North. From the window of her two-bedroom, kauri cottage, the Swedish-born woman had a clear view of the trio as they planted cabbages in a vegetable plot her husband had dug the previous day. Exactly how much help the boys were to their father she wasn’t sure, but she made allowances. They were, after all, only eight. Benjamin and Daniel were identical twins…’
The synopsis of the plot is excellent – ‘The Thomas family’s lives will never be the same again when seven-year-old Daniel Thomas is abducted from the family farm in New Zealand’s Far North by Maoris opposed to the presence of white settlers. Daniel’s father devotes his remaining years to searching for his missing blue-eyed, blond-haired son. Until his death a decade later, he’s assisted in his search by Daniel’s identical twin brother Benjamin. Like his late father, Benjamin believes Daniel is still alive. Twenty years later and now a family man himself with children of his own, Benjamin receives a tip-off that could confirm one way or another whether his brother is alive or dead.’
Once again Lance Morcan proves he is a master weaver of stories. Not only is this a fine story, but it also adds a depth of knowledge about New Zealand and the Maoris – a welcome lesson in the culture of the Kiwis. Rich in flavor and fine characterizations, this novella make for a fine winter evening’s read. Highly recommended.
New Zealand novelist and screenwriter Lance Morcan is a former journalist and newspaper editor with over twenty published books to his credit. Often he writes in collaboration with his son James Morcan, but this short story is another solo for Lance.
Short story composition is a challenging medium: the ability to capture the reader’s attention with focused characters and a plot that can be condensed is a gift Lance Morcan owns. In this tale we are transported to the year 1880 and the seeds of the mystery are well planted in the opening page: ‘Ingrid Thomas smiled as she watched her husband Nathaniel and their two young sons working side by side on the family farm in New Zealand’s Far North. From the window of her two-bedroom, kauri cottage, the Swedish-born woman had a clear view of the trio as they planted cabbages in a vegetable plot her husband had dug the previous day. Exactly how much help the boys were to their father she wasn’t sure, but she made allowances. They were, after all, only eight. Benjamin and Daniel were identical twins…’
The synopsis of the plot is excellent – ‘The Thomas family’s lives will never be the same again when seven-year-old Daniel Thomas is abducted from the family farm in New Zealand’s Far North by Maoris opposed to the presence of white settlers. Daniel’s father devotes his remaining years to searching for his missing blue-eyed, blond-haired son. Until his death a decade later, he’s assisted in his search by Daniel’s identical twin brother Benjamin. Like his late father, Benjamin believes Daniel is still alive. Twenty years later and now a family man himself with children of his own, Benjamin receives a tip-off that could confirm one way or another whether his brother is alive or dead.’
Once again Lance Morcan proves he is a master weaver of stories. Not only is this a fine story, but it also adds a depth of knowledge about New Zealand and the Maoris – a welcome lesson in the culture of the Kiwis. Rich in flavor and fine characterizations, this novella make for a fine winter evening’s read. Highly recommended.
December 27, 2019
Once Were Brothers by Lance Morcan
Seven year old Thomas is abducted from the family farm. His father searches for him to no avail until his death. Twenty years later Thomas's twin brother (Benjamin) continues to search, believing his brother is still alive somewhere. He will not stop searching until he finds him, dead or alive.
An original story set in late 1880's New Zealand. The characters are well rounded and true to their time, with a history of the Settlers of that era. A heartfelt story of a family that refuses to give up hope. A memorable read, I highly recommend to all.
Seven year old Thomas is abducted from the family farm. His father searches for him to no avail until his death. Twenty years later Thomas's twin brother (Benjamin) continues to search, believing his brother is still alive somewhere. He will not stop searching until he finds him, dead or alive.
An original story set in late 1880's New Zealand. The characters are well rounded and true to their time, with a history of the Settlers of that era. A heartfelt story of a family that refuses to give up hope. A memorable read, I highly recommend to all.
February 10, 2020
I received an ARC copy from the author.
The heartbreaking story that played off in 1880, New Zealand, had me glued.
Back then the language barrier and the vast expense of land were numerous which added to the suspense of the book.
When a young boy was abducted from his father's fields the Thomas family's life changed forever. Part of twins' life was difficult for the young Benjamin, After his father passed away a bitter man, Benjamin continued with his life. Taking care of his mother, as well.
Years of heartache followed with no resolution to the missing son. Taking to 1910 Benjamin, a grown man by now, followed a hunch he had received from a friend.
The Maori people's lifestyle is wonderfully sketched in the first part. With deceit and greed the underlining tones of the plot.
Personally, I think the story could have been written in a full-blown novel. The short story felt rushed as you had no time connecting with Nathaniel, Ingrid, Benjamin or Daniel. The four main characters of the book.
The heartbreaking story that played off in 1880, New Zealand, had me glued.
Back then the language barrier and the vast expense of land were numerous which added to the suspense of the book.
When a young boy was abducted from his father's fields the Thomas family's life changed forever. Part of twins' life was difficult for the young Benjamin, After his father passed away a bitter man, Benjamin continued with his life. Taking care of his mother, as well.
Years of heartache followed with no resolution to the missing son. Taking to 1910 Benjamin, a grown man by now, followed a hunch he had received from a friend.
The Maori people's lifestyle is wonderfully sketched in the first part. With deceit and greed the underlining tones of the plot.
Personally, I think the story could have been written in a full-blown novel. The short story felt rushed as you had no time connecting with Nathaniel, Ingrid, Benjamin or Daniel. The four main characters of the book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews