Once Removed

Once Removed is a novel by Canadian author Andrew Unger published in 2020. Published by Turnstone Press, the book is a satire set in the fictional town of Edenfeld, Manitoba and tells the story of Timothy Heppner, a ghostwriter trying to preserve the history of his small Mennonite town. Plot summary At the beginning of the novel, Timothy Heppner is working for the town's Parks and Recreation Department, removing trees and destroying historic buildings to make room for strip malls. He also sidelines as a ghostwriter writing family history and genealogy books for locals, but finds he is losing clients. Eventually, he is tasked with writing a thorough and true history of the town and, along with his wife Katie and the town's Preservation Society, he attempts to preserve the house of a famous local writer Elsie Dyck, who's been cast out of town for writing negatively about it. In the process, he comes into conflict with the town's mayor who is set on gentrification and boosterism. Main characters Timothy Heppner - a struggling ghostwriter tasked with writing a history of Edenfeld. Also works for the town's Parks and Rec department. Married to Katie. Katie Brandt-Heppner - a university student finishing her master's degree. Married to Timothy. B.L.T. Wiens - the "progressive" mayor of Edenfeld, intent on gentrification and the destruction of the town's past. Elsie Dyck - a famous writer from Edenfeld, who has not been seen in town in decades. Randall Hiebert - Timothy's friend and fellow ghostwriter. Brenda from Loans - a heavily tattooed member of the Preservation Society. Also works for the local credit union. Mrs. Friesen - an assertive and knowledgeable member of the local Preservation Society. Dietrich F. Harder - one of Timothy's ghostwriting clients.