In this first book, 98º in the Shade and 100% Humidity, we are introduced to the Thomas Family, George, his wife Penelope, his brother Brian, and their three sons Harold, Chuck, and Mark. The front porch is the center of family life as they talk about anything except the weather. Brian has been institutionalized for the past ten years and George all of a sudden has an interest in visiting his brother. George has begun to experience some changes in his life which are resulting in his pulling away from family and friends and giving into a driving desire to solve problems, deep research problems. George had connected with Brian's behavior ten years earlier and now realizes the same behavior was symptomatic to his father. Penelope wishes to support her husband but is not willing to let him escape totally into himself without a fight. There is an enemy, the nefarious agency which has kept Brian under lock and key without any observable attempts to rehabilitate. There begins the battle between the Thomas Family and the agency with Penelope making good use of her legal background and natural field general leadership abilities to keep the family out of harm's way. In this roiling sea of unrest there is an undertow of something wonderful... something to give meaning to these behavior changes... something calling disparate members throughout the world into a new family... the collective.
Robert Lanphar
2018