OHIO — Career FBI agent William Alan Larsh’s new novel, L’Archevêque, brings to life the true story of Paul L’Archevêque, a French fur trader in the 1700s.

Paul L’Archevêque, the author’s direct ancestor, was an early pioneer in America. L’Archevêque’s grandson, Colonel Paul Larsh, served as Assessor of Preble County, Sheriff of Preble County, Justice of the Peace of Dixon Township, and Captain of the Militia, in the early 1800s, according to William Larsh.

While still a young man, the hero of the story left behind his life in Montreal, Canada, seeking adventure on the wild frontier. He journeyed by canoe across the wilderness on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He traded with the Shawnee Indians in the Ohio Valley during the French and Indian War. The historical events of his time had a tremendous impact on the course of his life. Paul L’Archevêque was a true frontiersman relying on his rugged individualism and his own daring to survive.

Larsh’s family genealogy research started when he was in high school. His research progressed while working at the FBI in Washington, D. C. following college. During his lunch hour, Larsh visited the National Archives across the street from FBI Headquarters reviewing miles of U.S. Census records on microfiche film tracing the Larsh name. With the advent of the Internet, Larsh expanded his research reviewing other family histories, official documents, historical records, old newspaper articles, and various other reliable sources.

The author’s decades of research culminated in this exciting novel, depicting his ancestor in an important and relatively unknown story of a true American frontiersman. Larsh tells the story dramatically and imaginatively, maintaining historical accuracy of events and life in America in the 1700s.

A biographical sketch of the Colonel Paul Larsh appeared in the Eaton Register newspaper on March 12, 1875, eight years after his death, according to the author. “His grandfather’s exploits were mentioned in the article,” Bill Larsh said. “This article was described in great detail in a genealogy section at the end of the book. This and other information detailed in the book are unique to Preble County. I believe local residents would find it fascinating.”

Readers can preview the book at https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1205305/ea01330a0af6df5ceafff9a4b6857716.