Book Review
Magnolia Gods - a novel
by Thomas Hollyday
Book Description
On July 4, 1946, Navy Captain Edward Lawson attempted to fly an experimental seaplane into the hands of the Soviet Union. The top-secret plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean before he could succeed with his traitorous action. His body, and the wreck of the plane, were lost at sea. Mike Howard runs a small aviation museum, and, several decades later, his war-hero family still feels the sting of Lawson''s unpatriotic actions. When Mike is pressured by Lawson''s grandson, Jesse, to mount a search for the traitor''s corpse, his first instinct is to vehemently refuse. However, his scholarly instincts quickly get drawn into the hunt, and he soon realizes that there is much more to the story. As Mike''s corporate sponsors passionately lobby for him to stop stirring up old issues, it is made clear to him just how tangled the web of espionage has become.
Soon bodies are dropping like flies and Mike is forced on the run. He desperately unravels the threads of deceit, scrambling for the truth before his own life - and the lives of those he loves - are brutally added to the list of sacrificed men of conscience.
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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.
At the same time he incorporates the stories of machines with those of their human owners. Each novel, located in the small town of River Sunday, Maryland, also records the continuing beautiful nature of the area. His writing portrays today's problems, conflicts, and memorable local characters with their loves and their combat with evil.
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.
At the same time he incorporates the stories of machines with those of their human owners. Each novel, located in the small town of River Sunday, Maryland, also records the continuing beautiful nature of the area. His writing portrays today's problems, conflicts, and memorable local characters with their loves and their combat with evil.
You can follow the author at....
Our Review
This authors writing and story telling gets stronger with each novel he compiles. His knowledge and historic research shines through expertly.
The strong point of this book is the honesty and integrity that the author conveys to the reader.The novel revolves around the apparent treachery of Captain Lawson and the missing plane we was flying. On investigation the truth starts to unfold with far reaching consequences. When a big corporation want to hide or keep secrets it is amazing to what lengths they will go to and what / who they will pay to maintain that silence. But some people cannot be bought and will fight to the end for the truth.
I think the writer is brave for writing a novel about the corruption and the way that money can hide the real truth to the general public. This novel even though its based on fiction is very topical at the moment where a lot of secrets from the past are being uncovered and those held responsible are been held accountable.
The author is one of my favourites and his books are high on my reading list and always look forward to his next publication. The way that the author uses his expert knowledge of the places and the historic background of the people who live there are first class and add a realistic hint to the story line.
A real gem of a book about the little people taking on the corporate giants
Our Rating
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Very topical as you say. Anything to do with war, not only because of this year's WW1 commemorations here but also the bitter struggles taking place in Gaza and elsewhere right now. The espionage I can see would add excitement and intrigue. Tx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sounds like an interesting read. It does seem like Big Corporations do more harm then good in the long run doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review, I am always fascinated by historical novels so I may give it a read.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it Sharon, I don't know if it'd be for me as I prefer more light-hearted content.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book I would enjoy. I would at least try it. I love history and Cold War stories (even if fictional). Thanks for sharing your review.
ReplyDeleteI love books from this time. My grandfather was in WWII. I will have to pick this up. Thanks for sharing.
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