Book Review
Terror Flower
by Thomas Hollyday
About the Author
Thomas Hollyday (1942-present) was born in Easton, Maryland. His father was
an acclaimed photographer and his mother a brilliant teacher. He grew up in
the southern atmosphere of the Eastern Shore with its maritime and military
heritage. He studied writing with Elliott Coleman at the prestigious Johns
Hopkins Writing Seminars and with C.Michael Curtis of the Atlantic Monthly. He
served with distinction in Vietnam and became a successful international
businessman. He also drew illustrations for national magazines and published
maritime and Civil War history. He currently edits the Wet Their Whistles
newsletter for animal water rights (solarsippers.com). He draws the popular
humorous Animal Viewpoint Cartoons for newspapers. He continues to please his
fans with new novels in his River Sunday Romance Mysteries collection. In his
fiction he describes his recurring theme that human settlers since prehistoric
times in the Chesapeake region have left a mist of legend and history that
permeates its modern stories with a certain compelling truth.
Book Description
In the Chesapeake harbor town of River Sunday, Jim Tench enjoys the
challenge of custom building race cars. When his friend, Captain Bob, is found
drowned, he assumes along with everyone else that it was a tragic fishing
accident. Bob's grandson, Smote Rojos, insists that he was murdered and draws
Tench into the investigation. Clues seem to implicate Strake, a wealthy oilman
and collector of antique automobiles. Tench knows that family from his past - he
is still passionately in love with Strake's talented daughter Julie. When a
visiting African author begins to agitate for violent change and a bomb explodes
in River Sunday because of her testimony before the United Nations, the search
for answers becomes more urgent. Tench races against time to prevent the terror
from escalating, with only the wisp of a clue, "Black-Eyed Susan", to guide him
through the darkness.
Our Book Review
The author in the telling of this story, shows that he has researched and consulted with historians and car enthusiasts to produce a vivid description of the vehicles and the characters he portrays.
When the body of Captain Bob, a local fisherman, is found drowned with curiously no damage to his boat, local knowledge and feelings towards the Captain sense foul play. The investigation and withdrawal from public life of a wealthy oilman and his daughter, as well as several deliveries during the night, point to his involvement in the death.
The situation is fueled further when an African author meets with the United Nations in River Sunday and a bomb explodes. The only clue to help solve he mystery is 'Black-eyed Susan'. Can local Jim Tench solve the mystery before the terror escalates?
The chapters are nice and short which gives the reader plenty of time to digest and follow the plot. The background and characters are a refreshing change, depicting that small local places really do know their own and are suspicious and weary of outsiders who want to change things.
The story-line, with its twists and turns, is first class. Just when the reader thinks they have solved the mystery, the author then throws you off the track which makes this book more enjoyable. The setting description allows you to envisage it in your mind and the mystery and plot makes you exercise your 'little grey cells' as Hercule Poirot you cite.
Our Rating
WIN A SIGNED BOOK OF TERROR FLOWER
This sounds good. I will check it out! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLook interesting. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my greatest disappointments in reading was found between the covers of Chesapeake by James Michener. I suppose I was misled to expect more by such wonderful books as The Source, Hawaii, and Tales of the South Pacific. The Chesapeake Bay was my birthplace and the home I will always pine for, and it deserves better. I will be reading Terror Flower and hoping...
ReplyDeleteI will definitely check this out. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteLove terror reads. This looks like a really good time.
ReplyDelete