Adam is desperate for a fresh start. He’s out of jail, employed again, and even falling in love. But after he rescues a dying addict on Granville Street, he’s reminded of how just one moment of weakness could send him on a deadly downward spiral.
The more his romance blossoms, the harder it becomes for him to share his story. Can Adam be honest about his past and forge a promising future?
Adam’s journey intersects with three other people impacted by the opioid epidemic over one fateful week. Camille is maintaining recovery but must fight for child visitation rights; Gabby battles murderous drug dealers; and John is conflicted while working on a wrongful death case.
Emotional, inspiring, and filled with captivating stories of survival and unexpected silver linings, Granville Street is a moving tale of hope and redemption.
He wants to leave his past behind, but it isn’t finished with him yet…
“As Real As It Gets”
“This book shines light on one of the most important yet hidden illnesses in America Today. Louis’ ability to help us understand the experiences a person goes through who struggle with this disorder is as real as it gets! His ability to help us see the person as separate from their illness shows all of us how important treatment support and recovery can be! Well Done!"
Jim Scarpace,
Executive Director,
Gateway Foundation
Executive Director,
Gateway Foundation
Mark Lightfoot,
Retired Staff Sergeant,
Niagara Regional Police
Retired Staff Sergeant,
Niagara Regional Police
Powerful and Exciting
“I joined the Niagara Regional Police where I worked for 32 years. The majority of my career was spent in Detective, Homicide and Narcotics investigations. I retired as a middle management Staff Sergeant.
I bring this up simply to give a perspective on how my views on narcotics abusers and traffickers has been formed. Through my work in these areas, I truly believe that drugs are the root of all evil. If you eliminate domestic crimes of passion then, in my opinion, 90% of the remaining crime revolves around drugs.
No one steals a 50" television from Walmart because they want to watch Netflix at home. No one prostitutes themselves because they enjoy the sex. They commit these crimes to get money to buy narcotics. They will rob banks and stores and steal from their friends and family to support this addiction.
I met the author when we were both 18 years old. We have been friends for over 40 years. Louis' destiny took him to Chicago while I remained in Niagara Falls, Canada. We continued our friendship, albeit from a distance and unfortunately have only seen each other sporadically over the past years.
I knew Louis' son Paul casually, but through Louis I knew that he was a recovering drug addict. When he died as a result of his addiction, I was heartbroken for my friend. No one should ever have to bury a child.
Louis chose to channel his grief into writing this excellent fictional work which is based on his intimate knowledge of the drug scene his son was unfortunately part of. It is a very poignant account of the difficulties he and his family faced while struggling together to overcome Paul's addiction.
I felt honored when Louis asked me to read the draft of the novel and to comment on his perspective of the police officers and their actions in this manuscript. For the most part, I found his descriptions accurate. Some may think the officers harsh, but the police are simply trying to do their job as best they can. We are paid by the public and expected to do our best to keep the streets safe. The public wants and deserves results in this "war on drugs".
After reading the book I felt ashamed of my one-dimensional view of the drug addict. I, like many of us, lumped them all together in a contrite "they knew what they were doing, and they deserve what they got" mentality. I had more compassion for Paul obviously, as he was Louis' son, but had he not been his son I am sure I would have placed him in the same generality.
Before reading this novel, I had the majestic opinion that those who continually abuse drugs even though they know better or have been through rehabilitation don't care about society and only want to abuse the drugs for their own selfish gratification. I never considered drug addiction a disease. However I now realize that no one wants to be an addict. No one wants to die of a drug overdose. After reading this powerful manuscript I have certainly changed my attitude.
I have friends who have struggled with alcoholism. I have friends who smoked and died of cancer. Whether they made the choices to drink or smoke themselves, could or would we as a society deny them medical attention and treatment because it was "their own fault and they should have known better?"
Cigarettes have warnings on the packages describing how addictive and dangerous they are. Pain pills did not. Some people are able to control their urges after trying these narcotics. Unfortunately some are not.
Please read this powerful and exciting book and let it have an effect on your perspective, as it did mine, of the drug abuser. This "war on drugs" has many more casualties than just the addict. The collateral damage to the families and friends is something that most of us never take into consideration.
Rest in peace Paul and thank you Louis for having a profound effect on my previously narrow-minded view of the problem of drug addiction.
I bring this up simply to give a perspective on how my views on narcotics abusers and traffickers has been formed. Through my work in these areas, I truly believe that drugs are the root of all evil. If you eliminate domestic crimes of passion then, in my opinion, 90% of the remaining crime revolves around drugs.
No one steals a 50" television from Walmart because they want to watch Netflix at home. No one prostitutes themselves because they enjoy the sex. They commit these crimes to get money to buy narcotics. They will rob banks and stores and steal from their friends and family to support this addiction.
I met the author when we were both 18 years old. We have been friends for over 40 years. Louis' destiny took him to Chicago while I remained in Niagara Falls, Canada. We continued our friendship, albeit from a distance and unfortunately have only seen each other sporadically over the past years.
I knew Louis' son Paul casually, but through Louis I knew that he was a recovering drug addict. When he died as a result of his addiction, I was heartbroken for my friend. No one should ever have to bury a child.
Louis chose to channel his grief into writing this excellent fictional work which is based on his intimate knowledge of the drug scene his son was unfortunately part of. It is a very poignant account of the difficulties he and his family faced while struggling together to overcome Paul's addiction.
I felt honored when Louis asked me to read the draft of the novel and to comment on his perspective of the police officers and their actions in this manuscript. For the most part, I found his descriptions accurate. Some may think the officers harsh, but the police are simply trying to do their job as best they can. We are paid by the public and expected to do our best to keep the streets safe. The public wants and deserves results in this "war on drugs".
After reading the book I felt ashamed of my one-dimensional view of the drug addict. I, like many of us, lumped them all together in a contrite "they knew what they were doing, and they deserve what they got" mentality. I had more compassion for Paul obviously, as he was Louis' son, but had he not been his son I am sure I would have placed him in the same generality.
Before reading this novel, I had the majestic opinion that those who continually abuse drugs even though they know better or have been through rehabilitation don't care about society and only want to abuse the drugs for their own selfish gratification. I never considered drug addiction a disease. However I now realize that no one wants to be an addict. No one wants to die of a drug overdose. After reading this powerful manuscript I have certainly changed my attitude.
I have friends who have struggled with alcoholism. I have friends who smoked and died of cancer. Whether they made the choices to drink or smoke themselves, could or would we as a society deny them medical attention and treatment because it was "their own fault and they should have known better?"
Cigarettes have warnings on the packages describing how addictive and dangerous they are. Pain pills did not. Some people are able to control their urges after trying these narcotics. Unfortunately some are not.
Please read this powerful and exciting book and let it have an effect on your perspective, as it did mine, of the drug abuser. This "war on drugs" has many more casualties than just the addict. The collateral damage to the families and friends is something that most of us never take into consideration.
Rest in peace Paul and thank you Louis for having a profound effect on my previously narrow-minded view of the problem of drug addiction.
“A Must-Read”
Parents often wonder if their children are listening when they pour out their longings, fears and expectations for their children. Fathers hope that their children, especially their sons, will inherit their most admirable qualities. They also hope their sons will impact the world in ways that will cause the family name to echo for generations. Strangely, the details of the many lives that our children touch are often revealed in surprising ways. In this novel, Louis Lamoureux creatively plumbs the depths of the multiple layers of Adam’s life. The novel reveals the many lives, from a homeless woman who was rescued from an overdose to a fellow inmate who was inspired to enter rehab, that Adam has touched in ways that allow each of them and each of us to appreciate the gift of Adam’s presence.
In 1 Corinthians 9:22, the Apostle Paul writes ‘I have become all things to all people that by all possible means I might save some.’ Paul lists his relationships to those under the law, outside the law and those who are weak, to provide examples of the breadth of his impact upon others. Adam was known not only as a son, a “best bro”, a well-mannered young man, a good student, and a creative cook, he was known broadly in affluent communities, impoverished streets, hopeless jail cells, and compassionate courtrooms.
This novel reminds us that the breadth and depth of the impact of our lives are not dependent solely upon the lengths of our lives. Parental dreams of the accomplishments of children and the characteristics of the grandchildren are sometimes revealed in unimaginable ways that demonstrate a deeper spiritual connection between the people of God in various parts of the world. The Apostle Paul spoke of an unspecified thorn in his flesh that plagued him throughout his life. Nevertheless, this malady also revealed that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. By sharing the stories of Adam’s struggles, Louis Lamoureux allows the impact of Adam’s life to continue to reverberate in surprising places. This novel is a must-read for parents, siblings, congregations, pastors, those in recovery, those incarcerated, and those simply needing to better understand the journey of this who struggle with this thorn in the flesh.
In 1 Corinthians 9:22, the Apostle Paul writes ‘I have become all things to all people that by all possible means I might save some.’ Paul lists his relationships to those under the law, outside the law and those who are weak, to provide examples of the breadth of his impact upon others. Adam was known not only as a son, a “best bro”, a well-mannered young man, a good student, and a creative cook, he was known broadly in affluent communities, impoverished streets, hopeless jail cells, and compassionate courtrooms.
This novel reminds us that the breadth and depth of the impact of our lives are not dependent solely upon the lengths of our lives. Parental dreams of the accomplishments of children and the characteristics of the grandchildren are sometimes revealed in unimaginable ways that demonstrate a deeper spiritual connection between the people of God in various parts of the world. The Apostle Paul spoke of an unspecified thorn in his flesh that plagued him throughout his life. Nevertheless, this malady also revealed that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. By sharing the stories of Adam’s struggles, Louis Lamoureux allows the impact of Adam’s life to continue to reverberate in surprising places. This novel is a must-read for parents, siblings, congregations, pastors, those in recovery, those incarcerated, and those simply needing to better understand the journey of this who struggle with this thorn in the flesh.
Jon E. McCoy, MDiv,
PhD, Pastor
North Northfield United
Methodist Church
PhD, Pastor
North Northfield United
Methodist Church
Roger Stefani, PhD
Clinical Psychologist;
President, Hope for Healing Foundation
Clinical Psychologist;
President, Hope for Healing Foundation
"I highly recommend Granville Street. "
"The storyline and characters are fascinating, nuanced, and believable. The book quickly drew me into the personality of the characters, and the complexity of their lives. The story provides tremendous insight and understanding of those affected by addiction and the complexity of the opioid epidemic that is sweeping our country. Louis Lamoureux is a great story teller, and the book is a very interesting and entertaining read. It is also an important book because through his captivating story telling, Louis provides his readers with a detailed understanding of the personal, family, and societal impact of problem that is touching so many lives."