Fiction – Page 6 – John H Manhold

April 30, 2021

Coffin Cove

Coffin Cove ISBN: 9781789317534 Joffe Books, London copyright and written by Jackie Elliott.

This volume is the first in a series of “Coffin Cove Mysteries” stated to be “A gripping murder mystery full of twists.”

Setting and plot: The time period described is one beginning during the latter part of the last century when Lumbering was a huge part of Vancouver Island’s activity as well as fishing. The later-day part of the story’s setting is at a time when the lumbering had pretty much ‘run its course’, but activity in the fishing business still continued at a goodly pace and the past and present interactivity were inextricably interwoven into a tight knot. A Prologue describes the plight of a teen-age girl who is left securely tied to drown as the tide rises in the Coffin Cove area of the Island. The story then opens years later describing the area, the characters, their activities, a couple of more murders, and their investigation by the Royal Canadian Police as well as a young woman investigative reporter who has been blacklisted for publishing a story that was erroneous and embarrassing to the mainstream publisher for whom she worked. Her only chance for redemption was when offered a job by the owner/publisher/single reporter of the local Coffin Cove Gazette. The unfolding tale implores the need for discovering whether any connection exists between the earlier girl’s death and the present killings as more hidden facts gradually are revealed by this homogenous enclave of residents who trust no outsider and will divulge no information to non-residents.

Characters: Prominent characters besides the blacklisted reporter Andi Silvers are Jim Peters, her ‘savior’ with the job on his small local paper; Harry Brown, a 6’+, near 300 muscular pound retired fisherman who lives on his boat docked in the cove; Hephzibah, his sister who runs the local eatery; Gavin, her former Senior Editor; Brian McIntosh, brother of Joe, the father of Sarah (the girl who was drowned); Joe’s daughter Sue; Brenda, disliked and unwanted secretary to Adrian Palmer, CEO of Hades Fisheries that is still owned by Nikos, a Greek immigrant who built the very successful business (she had promised Nikos to attempt to keep him ‘on the right track’ because he has ideas for expansion that do not include fishing, so she cannot be fired); Steve Hilstead, son of Stan who had a long history of drug relations as Skipper of a boat that would buy a fisherman’s catch while on the water and transfer it to their ship so the fisherman did not have to waste time with a trip to port before returning to catch more; Pierre Mason, head of a so called ‘Black-Op’ Organization that is attempting to hurt fishing activities – a charismatic individual, released from Greenspace Organization because of his dangerous attitude toward fishing vessels and a person with great appeal to young people who are all in favor of ‘saving the fish’; Captain Gerry Roberts of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, formerly in charge of a patrol boat monitoring fishing activities; Andrew Vega, RCMP Inspector sent to investigate the recent killing of 2 sea lions who reportedly are interfering with fish survival but are protected by the department; a few other interesting characters of lesser importance. Provision of more material than already described would be extremely detrimental to any prospective reader’s enjoyment of this fascinatingly written multi-directional mystery

Discussion: The author has assembled a large number of characters and details and released each of them at most appropriate times throughout the story to provide an intriguing story. As described, it is “A gripping murder mystery full of twists.” Additionally, it describes a fascinating bit of history that most likely is known by few. This reviewer suggests it is a tale not to be missed, especially by mystery and history devotees.

5* Not to be missed, especially by mystery and history devotees.

April 23, 2021

Tolerance

TOLERANCE, A collection of short stories copyright by Kathleen Osborne et al. Edited by Kathleen Osborne and Soleah Sadge. Published by Kathleen Osborne et al.

The book is described as similar to the old phonographic discs that held recordings on both sides. Side A contains ten short stories based on Tolerance. The individual tales cover a wide variety of different subjects ranging from what it would be like to be able to eavesdrop through fantasy/magical realism, on a restricted conversation indulged in by persons placing them; “realistic fiction”; imaginative fiction, literary fiction; sci-fi/romance; even a memoir and a couple of unique stories authored by individuals as described. The authors range from an “emerging author” and a “late bloomer” arriving from numerous years in the military and other pursuits to well accepted professional authors. One is unique in having acquired a passion for learning a different manner of expression that is displayed here; another, ‘coming-to-grips-with a position as a member of the Jewish Faith’ with “its own dysfunctions and historical misfortune”; another prefers light fantasy; sci-fi and time travel; still another who travels extensively to places “tied to legends and folklore that she can include in her stories” and “is a fiction writer whose preferred genre is “contemporary fantasy with a touch of romance”; one more “works in pseudo-technology and has an innate ability to find street tacos in every city.” Still another describes himself as a man who “has an answer for everything, opinion on anything, and is quiet about nothing” and provides an approach to history, its existence and interpretation, past, present and future (?) – His stated preference is sci-fi/time travel. Side B, the “flipside” contains short stories “from the heart of these same authors”.

Discussion: This book offers an eclectic collection of unusual (strange?) stories in a variety of genres that can initiate thoughtful contemplation. Side B perhaps offers an even greater cause for rumination about the authors, their thought processes and similarities-dissimilarities between their offerings on both sides of ‘the disc’.

3* 5* – 2* Strange anthology readers will like or dislike, but be unlikely to forget.

April 23, 2021

From the Delta Mud

From the Delta Mud ISBN: 9781977639011, published, copyright and written by Guy B. Wheatley.

Setting: This is a story “from the very heart of the Delta”, the South’s canal that connected the Arkansas River navigable waterway to the Mississippi from the mouth of the White River, with its abundant water soaked land. Action largely is contained in and around the waterways and a long-forgotten barge ‘tow’ that years previously had been lost when it became detached and moved high into a heavily wooded area where it remained gradually rusting away after the high waters had receded.

Characters: The inhabitants of the area largely are provincial farmers and supporting shop proprietors’ with the exception of Marshall Bennington, Tom Stratton, and Gibb Asbury. Associated others occupy positions of lesser supportive substance. Marshall is the working head and owner of the largest farm in the area and from childhood has been raised with the idea that he was far more important than others. He has been able to impress others in the area with this face, thus have elected to a seat in congress from which he now has decided to launch his campaign to be President of the United States. Tom is an intelligent young man who has managed to establish himself as owner of a much needed ‘Jack of all Trades’ Center for the community and after marrying a minor land owners daughter, gradually also begins to buy more land. Marshall uses his position and greater wealth manages to ruin his business and his wife leaves him as well. Gibb is one of the small number of canal lock operators about whom little is known other than he is a retired Special Forces veteran with an amazing breadth of knowledge. He is a congenial ‘loner’ who enjoys the wilderness and especially fishing.

Plot: Tom, perhaps rightfully resentful of his losses, eventually decides to seek revenge against Marshall and decides that his decision for entering the election will provide an opportunity. An opportunity suddenly is provided when Marshall has been able to garner unexpected support that will make him a most viable candidate. The cadency will be initiated starting with the important supporters accompanying him on one of the large paddle wheelers on a trip down the waterways that begin in his home territory and extend down the Mississippi to New Orleans. The manner in which Tom proceeds, the action in gaining support of Marshall’s cadency and the part played by Gibb, provide a tale that further detail would be a disservice to the prospective reader.

Discussion: The author has a background and knowledge of all pertinent aspects of this story that are quite remarkable and provide a certain ‘authenticity’ to the various areas and equipment included in this tale. The only unfortunate aspect of the book, at least from my perspective, is the manner in which his proof readers have missed so many errors. Regrettably, he does not seem to be the only author affected recently. These careless oversights are unnecessary annoyances interspersed throughout an otherwise engaging tale. But generally speaking, the story indeed is intriguing with sufficient gradual growth of suspense to please most readers who are devotees of this genre. For those who enjoy learning about jobs and other new features of work performance, the author has set forth a real treasure trove.

5* with disappointment as described in discussion.

April 15, 2021

Murder Aboard a Cruize to Nowhere

Murder aboard a Cruise to Nowhere, Sand in my Shoes Publishing copyright and written by Owen Parr.

This book is Novella 2 in “A Jack Ryder Murder Mystery Series” and follows an episode where the protagonist, along with Miami Beach Police Detective Logan Robert are guests aboard a privately engaged luxury cruise ship where the Head of the family, Gustav Inglenorth, is scheduled to announce changes in his estate plan, a matter involving several billion dollars. Jack and Logan have been invited, along with their ‘significant others’ as substitutes for four cancellations of original invitees. The invitation assumedly as a result of Jack’s reputation. He is a middle aged, former financial analyst now a prominent author of considerable reputation whose ability to detect minor and only slightly noticeable details has positioned him frequently to provide necessary material to Logan and positioned him to become a valuable consultant to the Miami Police Major Crimes Division. As a divorcee, his life style is rather ‘free-swinging’ and his abode is a sizeable yacht, his present ‘significant other’ is Logan’s sister. The plot emerges from the first night of the family cruise when the family patriarch is stabbed to death and a hurricane requires the ship to continue away from American waters where the crime can be turned over to the American authorities. Further acceleration of the storm finally makes them seek sanctuary in Cuba. It is incumbent upon Jack and Logan to discover the crime perpetrator(s) before return to American waters and surrender of the case to their authority.

Discussion: The author has set forth a quite interesting plot with an involved set of clues the reader can simultaneously attempt to correctly assemble. Regrettably, one feature of the book is the almost incredible lack of proper proofing. The number of missing, misspelled, misused and repetitiously employed words are almost impossible to believe. Thus, the reader will need to decide whether this mystery is sufficiently enjoyable to wade through the almost boundless proofing errors.

5* engaging mystery, -4* huge Caveat as discussed; Prospective reader’s choice.

April 9, 2021

Sedition

Sedition, Road to Breaking, Book 3 ISBN: 9781733107983 published, copyright and written by Chris Bennett.

The story continues with huge changes involving Mountain Meadows, its inhabitants, and the entire country. Megs interrupts a meeting among the elder leaders of the cabin slaves detailing their misunderstanding of a difference between them and the house staff slaves. The results are most productive and effect almost immediate changes. Meanwhile, as a State Senator, Nathan must journey to Richmond for an important session as to whether Virginia will join the Southern states in the call for secession from the United States of America. Fort Sumter has been attacked and appearances seem to be growing more favorable for election of Abraham Lincoln and the impending freeing of the slaves. Individuals espousing one particular element of the south are especially desirous of maintaining their position of political power and will use any available means to win. When Nathan left home he was accompanied only by two of his men because he was afraid that his neighbor might attempt again to harm his mother and destroy their home. Lack of sufficient support along with particularly audacious moves from this southern component result in serious injury to him and a need to leave for home rapidly and secretly even though severely incapacitated. Evelyn again appears, but in an entirely new roll and the reader is introduced to two new elements of the era that played an enormous part during this chaotic period. And even the huge Irish wolfhound/English Mastiff who Nathan had of necessity left behind when departing for Richmond by train, again enters the picture.

Discussion: In this third book of the series, the author has managed to present a most intriguingly interesting and well-paced, suspenseful tale. Additionally, he has provided further informative material with respect to probably existent political activity as well as features such as the Underground railway in preparation for a hopefully as well-managed finalé.

Another 5* read.

April 9, 2021

Don’t Mess with Jess

Don’t Mess with Jess assumed published, copyright and written by Kim Hamilton.

The author states that this is Book #1 of “An Accidental Lawyer Short Read in a series of short reads inspired by the full-length novel, Accidental Lawyer.”

Jessica Snow, a recently graduated young lawyer works with Kari Cruz, part black and other races and seemingly ‘Girl Friday/ jack of all trades’ for work required in and around the office. Both work for boss Dawson who has a still newer employee whom he is grooming to partner with him in a most important (purportedly) golf tournament. The legal practice is of a typically described ambulance chasing variety and the office is in a depressed section of town as is Jess’s only slightly better situated place of abode. Jess has a well-deserved reputation for aiding in a criminal investigation, and once more is involved in finding the perpetrator of a hit-run incident that involves drugs.

Discussion: A tale of mystery and criminal investigation involving stereotypical characters but the tale is saved by the authors approach and the zany activities – a light, amusing style. This is the first of a proposed series of short stories, each easily consumed in a couple of hours.

4* A short bit of mystery in an amusingly described situation with zany characters.

March 30, 2021

Princess of Independence

Princess of Independence published, copyright and written by Icarus Bobain.

The author has set forth a tale of Italy’s intense struggle for arrival as an independent unified country in the days following Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat and the country’s continued existence as independent states whose northern half was under the hated Austrian rule. Christina Trivulzio was a member of the royal aristocracy of Italy who devoted her life to fighting for the country’s unification and independence from the rest of the European countries. Her hatred was heightened by the manner in which both her father and stepfather were treated by the Austrian rulers of Northern Italy. She married Emilio Barbiano Belgiojoso, a highly positioned member of the aristocratic ruling class who, although kind and extremely generous, unfortunately also indulged in additional dalliances. They separated and she devoted her time increasingly to aiding the revolutionary element. She was charming, intelligent and devised ways in which to become ‘someone with whom to be associated’ through providing soirees that provided memorable evenings associating with famous musicians and others of note and distributing the proceeds to the Carbonari and others struggling for the country’s unification and liberty. She had been exiled to France where she had an illegitimate daughter, Maria, who she attempted to indoctrinate with her same passion for politics. Forced by Napoleon’s defeat to flee France and unwelcome in Italy, she headed west, finally obtaining a farm in the less settled area of Turkey with a trip to the Holy Land that was vigorous, dangerous, but rewarding, and return to the farm. Through it all Emilio, provided a degree of support and she finally was able to return to her own country and her proper position. The story is told with alternating chapters describing the varying periods of time from the perspective of Christina and that of Maria as the years progress,

Discussion: The author has described an interesting story of Italy’s intense struggle for unity and independence in the early 1800s. For devotees of fictional tales that follow historical activities and include interchanges and/or interrelationships of well-known figures of the period, this book definitely is for you.

5* Especially for readers sited in the discussion.

March 25, 2021

The Aftermath

The Aftermath assumed published, copyright and written by Mark Stephen 0’Neal.

The first chapter is a quick ‘eye-opener’ for anyone introduced to the protagonist for the first time. He had not been ready for his night to end with Naomi, the new but decidedly complete love of his life, so after taking his time getting home, he had received an angry text from Nicole, his sister, with whom he spoke for 30 minutes about getting married and additionally about another sister, Jasmine and plans for her graduation party. Also greatly disturbing to Nicole was the fact that he had not informed her about their dad’s kidnapping, a situation that he had been able to dissolve quite rapidly by discovering that the entire situation had been engineered by a close friend whom he had given money to establish a business. He contacted Detective Stanton, a friend of his father who moved rapidly to arrest two of the perpetrators and the third is killed by an accident during a high-speed chase. He then stops on the way home for some necessary shopping and encounters a female employee who asks if he is Brock Lane? He confirms that he is and her next question is whether he prefers the Name Wolves or Trojans? From this point the tale continues to evolve and the reader learns that the protagonist is a young man who left college early to enter the professional basketball league draft. He was one of the fortunate, and within a very short time was able to distinguish himself as a rapidly rising star. As the plot progresses, the reader is introduced to more of family, present and former loves, other acquaintances, friends and enemies as several threats arise affecting Brock and/or members of his immediate and extended family.

Discussion: An interesting vignette of a relatively short period in the life of a rapidly rising basketball star on the cusp of earning huge amounts of money. Brock is an individual who has made mistakes earlier in life, as have members of a family who have been similarly involved to a greater or lesser extent. All now seemingly are functioning relatively normally except for some carry over of a degree of psychological burdens. Characters, family and the rest, are empathetically portrayed and apparently from the number of stories in the series, this book should be enjoyed by any number of readers.

5* As discussed in the review.

March 17, 2021

Enigma

ENIGMA Road to the Breaking, Book 2 ISBN: 9781733107969 published, copyright and written by Chris Bennett.

This is the second of an anticipated historical novel series of four. It opens with several definitions of the meaning of the book’s title, a quotation by Nathan Chambers, the protagonist: “I’m not particularly keen on doing what’s normal. I much prefer doing what’s right”, and follows with the opening chapter entitled “Princes, Strange Beasts, and Magical Giants”. The story begins in Greenbrier County, Virginia on June 11, 1860 with Nathan Chambers approaching the Big House his granddaddy had built among the seemingly endless cotton fields. It follows his, along with a host of other characters, actions as the United States of America gradually and inevitably head to the catastrophic War Between the States. A war whose genesis was greed, different ‘ways of life’ and differences in hunger for political power by groups basically demonstrating tremendous differences in morality with thousands of individuals’ very lives at stake. It also is the story of one man’s struggle to conquer an almost overpowering lack of control of a violent temper and to impose his strongly held belief in God and the equality of all men in a position of responsibility in a section of the country that was totally adverse to such equality.

Discussion: Although this volume can ‘standalone’, this reviewer believes some description of the protagonist’s actions and even that of many of his companions should provide insightful material for prospective readers. The first book in the series opens in March 15, 1860 – South of Fort Davis, Texas where Captain Nathaniel Chambers leads his troop attempting to find a notorious outlaw. They do and Chambers, angered by the outlaw’s action, viciously reacts. The reaction is understandable and not inappropriate, but distasteful to him as he is concerned with this personal lack of self-control of anger that he has been struggling with for many years. He had left home because of violent differences with his father, eventually graduated from West Point and ended his career to this point after fighting in the Mexican War. And the loss of control, early encountered and still active as demonstrated here, becomes a persistent feature of the story as it evolves. The tale continues as he is almost revered by those under his command as a fearless leader in battle and an intelligent, empathetic officer. Thus, when his father dies unexpectedly and he is forced to leave the army and its, for him, compatible way of life to return to Virginia, a few of his men resign to accompany him. The return is necessitated by his mother’s inability to handle the affairs of running a huge plantation, replete with slaves, another feature with which the Captain is ‘uncomfortable’.

The title of Book 1, “Road to the Breaking”, is based upon a time of great unrest between the American Indian Nations which Billy Creek, a U.S. Army Indian Scout with Nathan describes: “It was a time of such suffering and death, it caused the breaking of all the old ways. Some for the good, and some for the worse. Nothing came through ‘the breaking’ unchanged, and all that once was, even to the greenness of the earth, was broken during that time, and was never again the same.” The words well describe the theme of the author’s anticipated series as if progresses through the ‘gathering storm’ of the gradually developing Civil War as provided by a somewhat ‘in depth’ description of the actions that evolve around Nathan, his family, friends, acquaintances and enemies. The pace is slightly more ‘uneven’ than that of the first volume due largely to the additional discussions of pertinent facts that perhaps would benefit from some judicious editing. However, the characters are credible and most empathetically portrayed and the story of this chaotic period is a fascinatingly well-told historical novel.

In Summary, a most enjoyable ‘follow-up’ to the opening 5* volume.

5* Continuation of author’s difficult-to-put-down historical novel series.