Who will live, who will die, and can anyone survive in The Flower Bed? Can a person ever escape their past? Is love the balm for the soul? Is each person a unique flower, or are we just imitating those who bloomed before us? Are we prisoners of our inner demons?

The Flower Bed takes you on a fictional journey of survival through the harsh realities of human life – its corruption, malignancy, and finite nature – while also venturing into the darkest, most despairing corners of the human mind. Take the journey into a world of prejudice, greed, crime, love, despair, drugs, and redemption.

The Flower Bed will challenge your intellect, stir your passions, engage your emotions, and leave you with lingering questions long after you've completed your journey through its pages.

Testimonials

"Another Terrific Australian author definitely worth reading..." - Suzi Hammond

"Honestly, I'm only halfway through but already recommending "The Flower Bed"!" - Di J Fox-Scott

"Can we escape the sins of our fathers? Are we doomed to repeat them? These are the questions Michael Springer asks in his ambitious first novel, "The Flower Bed". Bravo @MichaelSpring17 - I thoroughly enjoyed your sweeping innocence-to­-experience tale." - Simon Cleary

“Hello Michael. It's Fay Nolan here from Everald's dinner at Tattersalls Club.
I have just this moment finished reading The Flower Bed. My goodness, what an amazing book! I do admire your gifts of writing and imagination. There were so many characters in the story, and yet I never lost track of any one of them. You expressed so much emotion, hatred, fear, and most of all, love, through your words, it must have been a very exhausting book to write.
Thank you for the privilege of reading it, and thank you again for your company at dinner.
Warm regards" - Fay Nolan

"Michael Springer’s novel, The Flower Bed, is an ambitious, sprawling epic that leads its reader lustily through time and space, from the tough waterfront streets of 1970’s Manhattan to late-century Australia, and ultimately to the near-future of London in the 2030s. It tells the eventful, often tragic tale of its damaged protagonist, Louis O’Brien, a gifted but neglected young man who barely survives a violent, abusive upbringing in New York’s menacing Irish-American underworld, only to find its dark legacy following him across the globe, casting long shadows over his ensuing life. Part rollicking adventure saga and part touching morality tale, the Flower Bed explores its themes of tragedy, loss and enlightenment, with tenderness, insight and a gentle optimism that ultimately affirm the sometimes surprising resilience of the human spirit. An absorbing read."  - Chris Nyst, Author

"Exceptional First Novel. As a former educator, I started my career teaching English literature for 20 years. Amidst the standard required "classics", I always added modern authors to the year's required reading lists. If I were still teaching those classes and students, I would add Michael Springer's 'The Flower Bed' as a required read for the year. Very few novels have all these strengths overlapping at the same time: intricate, surprising plot turns; characters who are not caricatures; a narrative that reaches beyond the book jacket's message, and some unique surprise ... something that the author did differently than anyone else. Michael's level of detail, his literal juggling of plot twists and turns, his recircling attention on Louis while veering in multiples of other directions ... just, just superb. I would choose 'The Flower Bed as required reading just for its demonstration of a writer's craft." - T. Romack. Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024

"Looking for your next read? Well here it is and no need to thank me! Michael Springer has exploded out of the blocks as a first time novelist with this immensely satisfying crime adventure.  Strap yourself in for an epic journey around the globe and emotional roller coaster as Springer's masterful descriptive text ensures you experience an incredible life lived through the eyes of louis and the myriad of complex characters he encounters along the way. It's heartbreaking at times with plot twists that come from nowhere and keep you on the edge of your seat and I had to remind myself to breathe on more than one occasion! So great to see an Aussie author taking in the world...." - Ian Stenlake

"Michael Springer's book the flower bed is the boof to read or gift this year. From chapter 1 where we meet young Louis who suffers horribly from his fathers ill treatment you are on a journey to know more. It is captivating and beautifully written and a credit to Michael for his first novel after some very challenging years. You will find it hard to put this book down once you start reading. definitely ***** from me." - Helen Cummings

"Best Novel Ever Written. The Flower Bed blends the genres of psychological thriller, suspense, crime and love story, and the author makes the characters relatable, complex and intriguing. I could not put the book down. The suspense engages you until the final word. Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend" - Pete from Manhattan, New York

"I have your book, Michael, and am enjoying it!" - "On ya, Michael, and good luck with it. It is a fine book." - Peter FitzSimons

"The Flower Bed is a cracking read, a roller coaster of highs and lows and highs again, a tale told with flair and verve." - Mike Carlton - One of Australia's best-known media figures in radio, television and newspapers.

"I second this review. I was so invested in Louis' life from start to finish - a terrific read! Huge congratulations" - Nicola Shew

"The Flower Bed is a superb read" - Everald Compton

"I have just started reading Michael Springer's first novel - it is beautifully written and you really get a feel for the characters." - Shaun Maybury Rogers

"I've just finished reading The Flower Bed!! what an amazing story, so sad and powerful. I absolutely sobbed in parts, it would make a great movie. Michael, I loved it and congratulations for such an incredible achievement and extremely well written." - Josie Murgadas

"The Flower Bed by Mr. Springer is an exceptional novel that held my attention from the very beginning. Mr. Springer has a talent for creating a richly detailed world, with vivid, poetic descriptions that make every scene feel real. The characters are well-developed and compelling. The themes are deep adding substance to the story without giving too much away. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-crafted literature, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Mr. Springer comes out with next!" - Aaron's review - Goodreads

"I loved every minute absorbed reading this book. A book that made me loose myself in its intrigue" - Denise - The Nile

"Great read Michael. 'The Flower Bed' brings the characters to life and your vivid descriptions drew me into a world of unexpected twists that keep me eagerly turning the pages. if you appreciate well-crafted literature, this book is a must read!" - Adventurous-Rub-2736 - Reddit

"Words that create a true vision 'The Flower Bed' brings the characters to life and Springer’s vivid descriptions drew me into a world of unexpected twists that keep me eagerly turning the pages. If you appreciate well-crafted literature, this book is a must-read!" - Clay - Amazon & Booktopia

"To say this is a superb novel would be an injustice to the author's writing skills. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I read it. This book is my favorite I have read, and I recommend it." - Peter - Goodreads

“Have been busily reading quite a few books lately & I'm about half way through Michael Spring's debut novel The Flower Bed. My god what a story. This is for lovers of fantasy and deeply immersive fiction, it's very reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey and The Hobbit. Michael is one of our best political commentators who strives for justice in everything. He normally practices law, but here he's really gone into the deep-end of fiction and done a fantastic job.” - Ronni Salt

“A fantastic read. Highly recommend. The Flower Bed is an enthralling read from start to finish. A beautifully written and highly descriptive crime adventure that takes you around the world with fascinating and complex characters. An emotional rollercoaster with surprises and twists galore. I loved this book. Highly recommend.” - Susan Logan