The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County
Publisher: Flare Books/Catalyst Press
A fascinating and darkly funny novel giving readers front-row access to the world of EMS and other first responders — and the sticky, sweat, and sex that accompanies long days caring for others at their most vulnerable.
The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County opens readers’ eyes to the human beings and too-often troubled systems we rely on to rescue us. An important and unforgettable saga of the people who race toward danger to save strangers like you.
James Grady, creator of CONDOR and author of THE SMOKE IN OUR EYES
Following in the footsteps of her beloved Boston cop father, Alex Flynn trains as an EMT, and spends her days chasing emergencies in an ambulance. But the person Alex becomes is a far cry from the hero she signed up to be.
Over forty years in public safety, Alex encounters a changing America, where veterans are left to rot on streets, women are welcome in dangerous fields but abusers still walk free, and service providers are subjected to intense public scrutiny while being denied the resources they need. After moving from bustling Boston to small town Vermont, Alex discovers an escalating feud between emergency operators and must decide which to protect, legacy or community.
Take a look what “The Book Club Cook Book” wrote about the novel in November 2024:
“This gritty portrayal of emergency services in urban and rural settings sparked a lively discussion about what these services should encompass, the responsibilities of the community, and the definition of a ‘community.'”— Blu Stocking Lit Society read I.M. Aiken’s THE LITTLE AMBULANCE WAR OF WINCHESTER COUNTY, a novel giving readers front-row access to the world of Emergency Medical Services and other first responders, with books from @catalystpress and #GalleyMatch.
“The novel offers readers front-row access to the challenging world of EMS and other first responders, vividly capturing the stink, sweat, and struggles—including the raw intensity of long days spent caring for people at their most vulnerable. Our group debated issues surrounding social and community services, particularly access to healthcare and emergency services. We delved into the systemic inequities and fraud that plague these systems and the tension between government-provided services and privatized ones—an issue many communities across the country are currently grappling with. For most of us, the ‘ambulance wars’ were a new, eye-opening concept, and this book heightened our awareness of the complexities involved.
We also discussed the main character’s journey—her evolution from an adrenaline junkie to someone seeking the respect her father once earned—and to become an advocate for those in need—was both compelling and inspiring. Her story highlighted the personal toll and profound impact of working in this field.”
The first half of this book takes place in Cambridge, where I worked, trained, goofed off, and others “stuff.” Stuff did include getting my head cracked with a boom while sailing, stepping on a rusty nail, finding trouble, and dating “stuff.” If in or near our fair city, please support any number of independent booksellers there.
Interested? Well read the book or take a look here
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Deets
Print ISBN: 97832511024 (268 pages)
Audio ISBN: 978196311369 (12 hours, unabridged, read by author)
eBook ISBN: 97863511078
How is this Channel Different my other?
Trowbridge Dispatch is a series of short stories. These stories have been coordinated with my publisher (Catalyst Press) and edited by my outstanding editor Lora. You’ll find a bit more professional polish with Trowbridge Dispatch. while this channel is a collection of random thoughts, essays, and scribbles. Often notes on this substack haven’t been run through the publisher and editor. The rants of a dyslexic author
Free Thoughts of a writer writing (about writing) freely is a random and unpolish set of nonsense that flows from brain to keyboard. Given I am dyslexic, and simultaneously deciding not to edits these pieces, forgive the mistakes, mispellings, and boo-boos in the prose.
