No. 004 – August 2025
Quotes for the month: (For information about the authors go to Google)
Accountability:
“Perhaps nothing in our society is more needed for those in positions of authority than accountability.” – Larry Burkett
“Dignity is the reward of holding oneself accountable to conscience.” – Wes Fesler
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Book of the Month:
A DARKER SIDE OF PARADISE, by R J Ellory
If you love crime, mystery, thrillers this will grab you and drag you kicking and screaming down a dark alley.
My review, posted on Audible, Facebook and Goodreads is below:
As someone who has now read 15 of Roger’s novels, and equally, as someone who reads over a hundred books a year, I believe I am well equipped to make the following evaluation.
Roger is one of a comparatively small percentage of writers who consistently delivers quality work. Unfortunately, many writers, once they have some measure of success and the numbers of their books increase they skate along, or write the same type of books again and again – too much the same.
I have read hundreds and hundreds of crime, mystery, detective novels – this is among the very best.
Rachel Hoffman is a rookie cop who is cutting her teeth in the world of crime and has yet to see her first dead body. She attends a murder scene where a young woman has been “put to sleep” and with the body is an enigmatic note quoting Dante’s Divine Comedy. Little does she know her life will never be the same again, and her destiny for the coming decades is shaped and ordained that day.
I was particularly impressed with the development of Rachel’s character – both as the character in a fine novel and the character of a person coming to grips with the worst of evils. She moves from rookie to seasoned detective, and then after five years, it appears the case can be closed with the death of the alleged perpetrator, but she questions the evidence. There is something in the shadows, it is too tidy.
Over the coming years her questions take formidable shape with more bodies and more questions, but no answers. Her determination to find the truth, the answers, becomes and obsession, which in itself determines the steps she takes on the path she has chosen.
I was greatly impressed with Roger’s attention to detail in the day to day police work and the dogged determination of Rachel and her colleagues to push on and find answers in the void.
This is a book where the reader will be gripped from first page to last, and, most importantly, will feel for and empathise with the character of Rachel Hoffman. Ultimately we are rewarded with a powerful climax and a credible, satisfying conclusion. This is the type of book you hope is the next one you pick up, and this time it is. Enjoy every page.
Regina Reagan does an excellent job of the narration.
An additional note:
Norma and I have been on holidays up to the Gold Coast to see her family in Queensland. We were having dinner with her daughter, and as I related in an email to Roger: she was running around starting to get dressed and still listening to the last minutes, but didn't want to stop. She gave me the following quote to send to Roger, then we dashed out the door:
Norma: "I was involved with the story and the characters all the way through - right to the very last word. Enjoyed it immensely.
Your best book yet and I have read over a dozen of your books. Thank you, Roger."
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Movies / TV Series:
As Norma and I were driving up to Queensland – Gold Coast (840 ks – 525 miles for those in America) to see her daughter and family, including two great grandsons, Henry 4 and Arthur just on 2, and were going to be away for a few weeks, we took a couple of dozen DVDs from our library. We always do this, and by obtaining a DVD player from Reception we take care of the evening’s entertainment. We watched 16 and with titles as varied as VERONICA GUREN, HACHI, SHANE, THE AFRICAN QUEEN, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and QUARTET we had a veritable feast, a number I have seen more than 5, even 10 times.
TV Series – we re-visited the first season of BOARDWALK EMPIRE. For anyone who hasn’t seen this it is a wonderful depiction and re-creation of the Roaring-20s, prohibition, and gangsters galore. Steve Buscemi IS Nucky Thompson – his best role ever.
Below are a couple of excellent resources for readers, particularly if you enjoy older authors and books in the Public Domain. It varies, depending on where the author was born, but it is at least 50 and up to 90 years since he or she died.
· Delphi Complete Works.
Go on Amazon, “Kindle Store” type in Delphi Complete Works – then the author’s name, eg. “Delphi Complete Works – Charles Dickens”
Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated) (Delphi Series One Book 2) Kindle Edition
Widely considered the greatest author of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, winning universal praise as a literary genius. Dickens’ novels and beloved tales not only entertained the world, but helped to improve the lives of the lower classes and fight social injustices. For the first time in publishing history, this comprehensive eBook presents Dickens’ complete works, with hundreds of illustrations, many rare texts, informative introductions and a treasure trove of Delphi bonus material. (Version 13).
Print length
20613 pages (That is correct – 20 thousand pages PLUS)
$3.99 Australia – probably $2.99 US.
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· Project Gutenberg
These are free, but you have to download each book. Excellent if you just want WAR AND PEACE or CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
Go to Google and type in “Project Gutenberg”.
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May you enjoy good health, fulfilling days, and, rewarding reading.
Eric