Garrett Dennis

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without at least one Dickens’ style story, that this is set on the 12th day of Christmas or Olde Christmas, is a fun twist. I know nothing about Storm Ketchum, but he sounds just like the grizzled, skeptical PI that makes for great detective fiction. This story makes a pass at detectiving but focuses on leading Ketch through a surreal dream beginning with his ex- wife, followed by a local merchant in his new hometown and ending with a grisly text message that seemed to show, his lonely death. Just imagine what Dickens could have done with technology. The title clued the reader into the homage, still it was a nice way to spend the afternoon.… (mehr)

outer-banks, greed, folklore, family-dynamics, friendship, mystery, environment

Adventure is right! Storm has a lot of personal baggage that comes into play, but the biggest problems in the story arise from deep concern for the local environment, the greed of treasure divers, and also the problem of sand theft (which is part of a global problem). Lots of very interesting characters and a fair amount of proselytizing about politics and ignorant people, but all that makes the book more interesting and relevant. Loved it!
Ward Paxton is VERY well suited to the material.… (mehr)

short, mystery, family, friendship
Nifty short involving an unusual occurrence in the wake of a storm. While telling a tale to effectively orphaned grandson, there is a rapping at the door. But no raven, only a burial casket! With the help of friends, several mysteries are solved and we learn about real problems with coastal areas. This book also stirs interest in more books by the author.
There is also good motivation to go to the gofundme.com and support the SAVE THE SALVO DAY USE CEMETERY campaign and also check out places where the National Park Service can provide learning opportunities.… (mehr)