The outpouring of support for the Alma Exley Scholarship Program over the past 18 years has been truly gratifying.

Now I’m delighted to announce a new and very special offer of support. This generous offer comes from a friend in connection with the publication of his newest book.

Patrick Lee has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his new novel to the scholarship program.

The book, “The Flies of August,” by P.J. Lee, is available as an e-book from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com for $2.99, and it is available as a paperback for $7.59 from amazon.com. Patrick has offered to donate one dollar from each purchase to the scholarship program, up to a maximum of $1,000. You can read the e-book on a Kindle, Nook or tablet.

The book is a crime novel filled with compelling character studies as well as insightful social commentary. What makes the story especially fun is its locale, the town of “Webster,” which seems an awful lot like West Hartford.

Patrick Lee previously volunteered his considerable talent to our program by creating and maintaining our original website. Now, thanks to this generous offer, friends of the Alma Exley Scholarship Program can enjoy a good book while supporting a good cause.

The direct link to the e-book on Amazon.com is:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMWE8F8

The direct link to the e-book on Barnesandnoble.com is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-flies-of-august-p-j-lee/1114763118

The link to order the paperback from amazon.com is:

http://www.amazon.com/Flies-August-P-J-Lee/dp/0989458806

Free samples as well as enthusiastic reader reviews can be read at the websites.

“The Flies of August” has received excellent reviews, and I can tell you that it’s a real pager-turner. Once you pick up your e-reader, you won’t want to put it down.

This is what one reviewer wrote on amazon.com:

I don’t know if I can adequately relate how much I enjoyed this book. It had everything that I look for, but rarely find. The plot was well-thought out and beautifully paced. The author took the time to develop all of the characters, major and minor, and I found myself caring about each of them. I guess that the best way I can describe The Flies of August is that it reminded me of a truly excellent film, where you’re moved along through the plot while real life happens around the characters. It’s not flashy – there are no explosions or horrifically detailed, gory descriptions. No explicit sex scenes. No gratuitous vulgar language. It’s just a really, really good book. If you decide to give it a try, I hope you settle in and enjoy it as much as I did.

– Woody Exley