Steven Schlotter

Author | Storyteller | Writer

About the Author

After earning a graduate degree in modern history, the author began his investigation of American cultural beliefs during the latter half of the past century. His book is character driven and examines the rapid and profound changes in American attitudes that have led to serious conflicts within families, communities and groups of friends. Before settling down to write his novel, Mr. Schlotter worked in the oil and gas, healthcare, food service, construction, and educational services industries.

Tribal Warfare

Why do we separate ourselves into distinct tribes when our differences are largely cosmetic? Why are we compelled to identify enemies among those we consider unworthy of inclusion in our clan? These questions are examined in spectacular detail in Steven Schlotter’s latest thriller, Tribal Warfare.

The tumultuous lives of three disparate characters are showcased over a period spanning fifty years beginning near the end of the Second World War. A German soldier, a Holocaust survivor, and the guard who tormented her are forever bound to one another through circumstance, a coincidence in time, and a shared history.

Karl Eitel, a deserter from a German airborne unit becomes an unlikely hero after rescuing Eva Geller following her escape from history’s most sinister factory of death, Auschwitz. The paratrooper nurses Eva back to physical and emotional health and remains her champion in an uncertain future.

At Auschwitz, an SS guard, Arno Trapp develops an obsession for Eva and vows to reunite with his captive after discovering her whereabouts in California after the war. While plotting his revenge, Trapp revives his penchant for rape and murder by prowling the downtown L.A. streets at night seeking vulnerable targets from among the city’s homeless population.

The children of Eva and Karl have promised to continue their parents’ tradition of defending vulnerable communities while honoring those who died for their cause. Unfortunately, Simone Eitel and David Geller encounter a rising trend of violent extremism spreading throughout their adoptive country in America.

Once again, the author puts his graduate degree in modern history to use and uncovers astonishing secrets that are revealed throughout the novel. Tribal Warfare is character driven and explores issues that are more relevant today than ever before.

The Missing Boy and The Man In The Moon

What happened to the boy on the milk carton? And what do the unsolved mysteries and tragic circumstances of the postwar era tell us about one of the largest demographics in human history-the baby boomers? While the residents of a small community in the Florida Keys are celebrating the Moonwalk of July 20, 1969, six-year-old Andy Schmidt is abducted in front of three of his closest friends. What began as a dare to sneak out and frolic beneath a crescent moon, evolves into a forty-year search for the frail boy and his captor. After interrogating the usual suspects, the police lose interest and it’s up to Andy’s pals, Eric, Michael and Judy to maintain pressure on local authorities. The trio join forces with Andy’s mom, Ruth who acts as a surrogate mother to the youngsters. Over the next four decades, the local troublemakers become pariahs despised by the police and scorned by their neighbors for allegedly manufacturing an urban myth and a resident bogeyman. Periodic and terrifying visits from Andy’s abductor leave clues to sift through and a reason to hope. In time, it becomes clear that the local cops are protecting the monster and guarding a secret of their own. After earning a graduate degree in modern history, the author began his investigation of American cultural beliefs during the latter half of the past century. His book is character driven and examines the rapid and profound changes in American attitudes that have led to serious conflicts within families, communities and groups of friends.

Reviews

“I read Steven Schlotter’s new novel “Tribal Warfare” twice, the first time for the thrill of the suspense, and the second time for the truly marvellous historical details and the well-defined characters. Schlotter draws parallels from past decades during and after World War II, through the thick of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s, and through to the 90’s, when we witnessed a newly burgeoning world of online misinformation. Are we doomed by our own tribalism, or will we be able to retain our ability to discern who is the “devil you know”? This writer never shirks his duty to historical truth or insight. While the novel twists and turns its way through periods of historical unrest, it also focuses on the individual’s response to tribalism, its comforts and its woes. There are definitely lessons to be learned from this examination of human nature and its place in our ever-changing circumstances. Steven’s characters jump off the page, directly into your imagination and even into your affections. None are without flaws, but neither are they devoid of grace. We all turn into our parents and trauma, especially generational trauma, can transform us to our own worst oppressors. These are some of the many issues that Steven Schlotter addresses with deftness and great heart in “Tribal Warfare”. I enjoyed “Tribal Warfare” immensely! It is witty, suspenseful, and gives me what I most treasure in a work of fiction, style AND substance. FIVE stars out of FIVE!”
Dawn DrewsTribal Warfare

“Tribal Warfare is a fictional drama novel by Steven Schlotter. It consists of nine chapters and follows the lives of Karl Eitel, a former German paratrooper, and Eva Galler, a Jew, who had been a prisoner of the Nazis during the concluding years of the second world war.

The book begins with Karl deserting his role as a paratrooper to meet with his French lover, Lea. Unknown to him, Lea is involved in a plot to get him killed. After an evening of passion between the two, an unsuccessful attempt on Karl's life sees him captured by the German army and sent back to the war front, but not before Lea gets pregnant. Meanwhile, Eva is forced to work for Sergeant Trapp, a German officer, in the hopes of keeping her son Aaron alive. Unbeknownst to her, Aaron is dead, and once this is discovered, she injures her captor and escapes. It is against the backdrop of these circumstances that an unlikely friendship between Karl and Eva is born. But is it one that could survive a world war, racism, or distance? What will become of Lea and Karl's child? What secrets does Eva hold? Find out in this thrilling novel.

There are a lot of positive aspects of this book. Firstly, I appreciated the simple language used throughout the entirety of the book. It was conversational and easy to follow. I also liked how character-oriented the book was. Karl is easily my favorite character. He is charming yet flawed and, as such, very interesting to follow. His interactions with Eva are so warm, filled with child-like teasing and warm humor, despite all they have been through. It was also interesting to watch Sergeant Trapp devolve into his murderous psychosis. I appreciated the author's willingness to tackle difficult issues like racism. The characters represented multiple sides of the race discussion while still driving home the important message that we are all still human. The book also comes with a lot of life lessons. For instance, I learned how fear and hate could make even some of the most oppressed people oppress people without them seeing how they fall into the same errors as their oppressors.

I didn't find any negative issues with this book. I also did not find any errors in it, as it was professionally edited. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The intriguing nature of its stories, coupled with its wonderful characters and its message of the need to be loving and accepting, ensured my absolute satisfaction with the book. As a result, I could not rate it lower.

I recommend this book to lovers of drama novels, especially those who enjoy a bit of fictional history.”
Chinemezu OkaforTribal Warfare

“Since reading his first book The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon I have been a big fan of this author and have gifted friends and family members his novels, because his narratives are absolutely thrilling. This book is quite a departure from his first, because of the era and setting. Anyone who lived through WWII or has parents of European descent will resonate with this story, because it dares to speak the unspeakable in delicious detail. It is fast-paced and if you are a reader like me, you will find that it is an absolute page turner, arguably the best book that you have read this year, and you will devour it as quickly as I have. Thank you!”
Peter HamannTribal Warfare

“I am honoured, on Book Lovers Day, to review Steven Schlotter’s new book “The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon,” because I LOVED it from start to finish. Suspense was established immediately, and resolutions were very often gasp-worthy. I was so engaged with the story and style that I read it in one sitting, enjoying momentum that never flagged. Steven’s characters are fully formed and well-drawn as the narrator spins his tale over several decades of friendship, loyalty, and mystery. He is clearly influenced by the many strong women in his life, the sisters to whom he dedicates this first novel. His narrative voice is often peppered with wry wit and pithy observations of Western culture. As he evokes reminiscences of the historical events that unfolded over the decades, I am reminded again and again that “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Dawn DrewsThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“On the night of July 20, 1969, the same day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Judy Miller, Michael Berg, Eric Stein, and Andy Schmidt embarked on an adventure under the moon. But unfortunately, an unknown man abducts six-year-old Andy right before his friends.

Many years have passed, and no one seems to have a clue of who abducted Andy. However, Judy, Michael, Eric, and Andy's mother, Ruth, have not stopped looking for him, even though the police have lost interest in the case. And folks in the community believe that Judy and company are just making up stories of a non-existent bogeyman. Andy's abductor has also been visiting Ruth and Andy's friends, and these visits mostly end up bloody. Could these visits mean that Andy is still alive? Most importantly, who could the abductor be? These questions, dear fiction lovers, are excitingly answered in The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon by Steven Schlotter.

What a story! I had to wait for my heartbeat to return to normal before starting to write this review. This title is definitely one of the few books I would love to read again. As much as I wanted to get to the end of the tale, I did not want it to finish because of the author’s gripping narrations. He uses the third-person point of view to narrate the story. His writing style is also exceptional, making it easy for readers to visualize the characters' looks, actions, and surroundings. Despite the nerve-wracking and sad moments in the book, the author managed to adorn the book with rib-cracking humor that I really appreciated.

What I like most about this book is the author's exciting integration of the culture and noteworthy events in different eras into the story. They made the book authentic and relatable. Though I wasn't born before the historic moonwalk, Mr. Schlotter's description of the excitement in American homes at that time made me feel as if I didn't miss much. His progressive description of the fashion trends between the late 60s and the 2000s is fascinating. I am sure that readers who witnessed the fashion evolution within that time would enjoy this aspect too.

Furthermore, the characterization in this novel is excellent. I'm in awe of how lifelike the characters are. With identifiable traits, I enjoyed how easy it was to empathize with them. It's hard to pick a favorite character because they all impressively played their roles to make this novel an unforgettable read. But if I must choose one, then it has to be Judy because she is brave, passionate, and beautiful. I greatly feared for the safety of the protagonists and was as helpless as they were in the face of danger because the bogeyman surprised even me anytime he showed up. Good job, Mr. Schlotter!

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the dialogues between the characters. They were natural, distinct for each character, and easy to follow. I loved how Judy, Michael, and Eric's conversations matured as they grew older. More so, I enjoyed the bond between the protagonists. Perhaps we can all learn from this story that blood doesn't define family.

It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I didn't dislike anything about it either. However, prospective readers should beware of some sex scenes in the novel. This book is professionally edited and contains only a few errors. Therefore, I gladly rate The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon four out of four stars. If you love historical and mystery titles, an unforgettable reading experience awaits you if you pick this one. And mark this author's name because this publication confirms his spot with the very best in this genre.”
Saint BrunoThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“Schlotter’s second novel does not disappoint. From the first page, the reader is taken on a rollicking ride with the three compellingly drawn characters . Realistic and grim World War Two details take us right there. We will not love all of the main characters, but we will be fascinated by the ways their lives continue to intertwine over the decades. By the end, we are left to decide : can “Tribal Warfare” be overcome, or is it a curse of the human race ? This is a guaranteed great read, while at times cast with pain, but somehow leaving the option of positive change possible.”
Petra S.Tribal Warfare

“Steven Schlotter’s novel The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon begins with a big bang, quite literally! It opens with the 1969 Moon launch. Americans were pitted against Russians and vice versa in a relentless race to the moon, which was ignited when the Russians successfully launched the satellite Sputnik in the late 1950s - hence, the expression ‘chasing Sputnik’. For those of you who were alive at this time, this book will take you right back to your childhood.

A haunting childhood trauma experienced by a group of friends is the thread that is woven into each chapter. Every chapter advances five years into the future. This clever device allows the reader to grow up with central characters, from childhood to adulthood. The cultural milieus, fashions, and societal attitudes of the changing times are all vividly described. Those of you who were not alive when the historic 1969 Moon launch happened, should especially read this book because each generation’s history is accurately described in delicious details.

For me personally, this book has evoked so many memories of my youth. It's been a non-stop deluge of recall. I was exactly 5 years and 1 month old when man landed on the moon. I was on a visitation weekend with my father in Gleneagle, Quebec. Earlier in the day, I played with the ducklings he had procured for my brother and me, and I probably had made a little fire in one of his empty metal tins of Drum tobacco, which was my favorite thing to do at that time. The latter was always hard to explain when I was returned to my mother who would ask “So, what did you do with your father?” - her resounding horror was always expressed as a single word - “Oh!”. Like the children in the book, I didn't get the significance of the event and had to be sat in front of the television and quieted by my father.

Through my work at A&D Tutoring, in Edmonton, Alberta, I have had the pleasure to share this book with three of my students and they are all completely transfixed. It is perhaps most meaningful to two adult students, who emigrated from their home countries to Canada as adults. While they too were alive at the time of the Moon launch, North American culture is foreign to them, and this book has helped to fill in the gaps. Since we started reading it together, it is always the first thing they ask for.

This novel is an absolute game changer! While many authors aim to throw a stone or two at literary giants, like Salinger and Golding, Steven Schlotter’s novel has the potential to displace them. It ought to be mandatory reading for every high school student coast to coast. It's a literary seismic wave that doesn't disappoint. So, do yourself a favor and buy it. And if you are a member of a book club, be the smartest person in the room, and slap this down.”
Peter HamannThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“Another great read from Steve Schlotter!

This book has everything.

History, humour, drama and suspense. Always great to be entertained while also learning something new and maybe even a little self discovery thrown in for good measure. For sure 5 stars!

This book has everything.

History, humour, drama and suspense. Always great to be entertained while also learning something new and maybe even a little self discovery thrown in for good measure. For sure 5 stars!”
YvonneTribal Warfare

“Loved The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon 🌙
The book gripped me from start to finish. The writer really sets the scene- you can literally picture the room, smell the smells, feel the emotions and be right there with the gang throughout their journey.

I can’t wait to read the next one 🙂”
MelissaThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“A smoothly constructed journey through the Boomer years, combined with an addictively tantalizing mystery of an horrific child abduction, this novel takes the reader on an almost too real ride. Whether you’re an actual Boomer yourself or simply know people from those incredibly fast changing years, the characters capture your curiosity, while keeping the tempo throughout. Both the joy and the painful awkwardness of youth are painted in authentic colours and facts, mixed with dramatic moments of the Zeitgeist, from the epochal moon landing in 1969 to present times. Just when the reader thinks that he knows “who did it”, the plot takes dizzying turns, thus keeping him hooked. Truly a wonderfully well crafted first effort from Canadian author Steven Schlotter, leaving us waiting for the next book !”
Petra S.The Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“Very much enjoyed the book.While it had a sad and serious storyline there were some lighter and comedic moments..As a boomer myself I enjoyed recalling the fashions and TV programs of my youth. A satisfying read.”
YvonneThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon

“And here we are, with a completely different read, and I am finding myself totally intrigued! So far, keeping me in this book!”
Candy KellyTribal Warfare

“An excellent read! This book is a real page turner and the character development is exceptional! Can’t wait for your next one Steven!”
LBThe Missing Boy and the Man in the Moon