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The Noon God
Living in the shadow of 'greatness' can be a difficult thing. Just ask Desdemona Fortune.
When her father, the magnificent J. Caesar Fortune, is found murdered inside the offices of the Faculty of Art, there is no shortage of people who may have carried a grudge. From the lover who could not capture his affection to the colleagues whose efforts were repeatedly ignored, many resented the immensity of his literary success.
For though the 'Man of Words' is lying dead on a slab, his legacy will live on. But as Desdemona knows, the legacy of greatness can carry a heavy price.
In a household pummeled by the dual forces of addiction and narcissism, Desdemona must face the fact the father she loved has hurt those closest to him. Now, as the head of a once illustrious family, she must do whatever is necessary to save her one surviving sister from the far-reaching influence of an immortal.
When her father, the magnificent J. Caesar Fortune, is found murdered inside the offices of the Faculty of Art, there is no shortage of people who may have carried a grudge. From the lover who could not capture his affection to the colleagues whose efforts were repeatedly ignored, many resented the immensity of his literary success.
For though the 'Man of Words' is lying dead on a slab, his legacy will live on. But as Desdemona knows, the legacy of greatness can carry a heavy price.
In a household pummeled by the dual forces of addiction and narcissism, Desdemona must face the fact the father she loved has hurt those closest to him. Now, as the head of a once illustrious family, she must do whatever is necessary to save her one surviving sister from the far-reaching influence of an immortal.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
23 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Donna Carrick
20 books553 followersAn Air Force Brat, Donna grew up in locations all over Canada. Her primary influences came from small town Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario, the mining towns of Cape Breton, Northern Quebec and her birth province of New Brunswick.
Her interest in creative writing was established early and developed into a passion for fiction that continues to this day. She studied both Literature and Psychology at the University of Toronto and currently writes novels, short stories and poetry.
An executive member of Crime Writers Of Canada, Donna volunteers her time as a mentor to aspiring CWC authors. She remains active in the Canadian writing scene, supporting Sisters In Crime, Word On The Street, Bloody Words and a variety of other venues for the literary arts.
Donna is the author of 3 mystery novels: The First Excellence ~ Fa-ling’s Map, Gold And Fishes and The Noon God. All titles are available in paperback as well as Kindle and e-reader versions.
An office manager, wife and mother of three, Donna divides her time between the hectic pace of Toronto and the relative peace of Ontario’s spectacular Georgian Bay. Life is never dull with husband/author Alex Carrick, their children, their beloved golden retriever Daisy and Dora The Cat.
Donna enjoys sharing her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the independent and self-publishing industry. Contact Carrick Publishing to arrange a workshop or group engagement.
Her interest in creative writing was established early and developed into a passion for fiction that continues to this day. She studied both Literature and Psychology at the University of Toronto and currently writes novels, short stories and poetry.
An executive member of Crime Writers Of Canada, Donna volunteers her time as a mentor to aspiring CWC authors. She remains active in the Canadian writing scene, supporting Sisters In Crime, Word On The Street, Bloody Words and a variety of other venues for the literary arts.
Donna is the author of 3 mystery novels: The First Excellence ~ Fa-ling’s Map, Gold And Fishes and The Noon God. All titles are available in paperback as well as Kindle and e-reader versions.
An office manager, wife and mother of three, Donna divides her time between the hectic pace of Toronto and the relative peace of Ontario’s spectacular Georgian Bay. Life is never dull with husband/author Alex Carrick, their children, their beloved golden retriever Daisy and Dora The Cat.
Donna enjoys sharing her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the independent and self-publishing industry. Contact Carrick Publishing to arrange a workshop or group engagement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 3, 2012
Quick read about the eldest of three daughters, Desdemona Fortune, and her relationships with her parents and siblings. Carrick creates interest in the beginning of the book with the murder of Desdemona's (Mona's) father, the illustrious Caesar Fortune, author of great note. Caesar has great expectations for Mona, much more so than for his other daughters. Caesar tells Mona, "it is your mind that is the secret treasure, not your face or your body. Only the mind is capable of greatness. Only the mind can live forever." Caesar's forceful personality has a great impact on all the family members, and Carrick does a good job of conveying this. Much of the book consists of Mona's flashbacks to her childhood years, setting the scene for the complexity of the family dynamics that follow. Carrick weaves a provocative tapestry of Mona's life and relationships. She sets up believable dramas that ensue out of the daily lives of the main characters, which include Mona's love interest, Benjamin William. Carrick's supporting characters fit into the story very well, making a more satisfying read. For me, however, the ending was not entirely credible, and I felt the tiniest bit cheated at the end. For Carrick's dead-on portrayal of family dynamics, addiction, and the aftermath of a suicide in the family, this book is worth the time it takes to read.
September 9, 2015
Rather predictable as to who the killer was and how. What still doesn't make sense to me is the reason for the rage that caused the murder in the first place. It didn't really make much sense to me, but I guess murder doesn't have to make sense to anyone but the one committing it.
Quick, easy read. The characters were rather well developed, but all horribly flawed in one way or another. I didn't have much sympathy for any of them. Rather well written I think. Not fantastic, but not bad. Worth a read. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because it kept my interest to the end.
Quick, easy read. The characters were rather well developed, but all horribly flawed in one way or another. I didn't have much sympathy for any of them. Rather well written I think. Not fantastic, but not bad. Worth a read. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because it kept my interest to the end.
October 13, 2012
A compelling mystery, a riveting fast read!
I thoroughly enjoyed Donna Carrick's Noon God - I was drawn in instantly from the very first page, and could not put it down till I finished the last sentence, very late at night.
As a reader, I don't have any expectations when I start a book, of any kind, just allowing myself to be sucked in by the story and see where it will take me. Before reading Noon God, I was already a fan of Carrick's, whose First Excellence: Fa-Ling's Map had already converted me. I knew that I'd love her writing, no matter what, and my expectation was justified.
Noon God has depth and exudes intelligence, exploring dysfunctional family relationships from the narrator's point of view. I love the writing style, alternating between NOW and PAST events, leading to the FINAL. I get to see from the eyes of Mona and follow her thoughts and motives. It is like the peeling of an onion, layer after layer, we get to the core, and by then I was crying, ever so briefly. Still, it is a touching family drama. Love them or loathe them, I feel as if I knew them, and at the end of the story, I thought: who am I to judge them, as in Carrick's opening: "My mother once told me judgement was best left in the hands of God. Forgiveness was the virtue she most cherished."
This is a little gem of a book I shall cherish.
Well done, Donna!
I thoroughly enjoyed Donna Carrick's Noon God - I was drawn in instantly from the very first page, and could not put it down till I finished the last sentence, very late at night.
As a reader, I don't have any expectations when I start a book, of any kind, just allowing myself to be sucked in by the story and see where it will take me. Before reading Noon God, I was already a fan of Carrick's, whose First Excellence: Fa-Ling's Map had already converted me. I knew that I'd love her writing, no matter what, and my expectation was justified.
Noon God has depth and exudes intelligence, exploring dysfunctional family relationships from the narrator's point of view. I love the writing style, alternating between NOW and PAST events, leading to the FINAL. I get to see from the eyes of Mona and follow her thoughts and motives. It is like the peeling of an onion, layer after layer, we get to the core, and by then I was crying, ever so briefly. Still, it is a touching family drama. Love them or loathe them, I feel as if I knew them, and at the end of the story, I thought: who am I to judge them, as in Carrick's opening: "My mother once told me judgement was best left in the hands of God. Forgiveness was the virtue she most cherished."
This is a little gem of a book I shall cherish.
Well done, Donna!
October 1, 2011
I started thinking that this was going to be a murder mystery. In a way it was but it also read like a family relationships drama fraught with mental health and addiction issues. Mrs.Carrick writes a family drama with complex parent/child/sibling issues; high expectations of the eldest child and high opinions of his own greatness J.Caesar Fortune was a lousy dad and a horrible husband even though he was supposed to be a great author and I finished the book thinking wow I really didn't feel any pity for the victim. It was a wonderful twist at the end when the killer was discovered. The Noon God is a fast flowing novel set in Toronto and the author uses many Toronto Points of interest in her novel that any proud Canadian/Torontonian would love to see in print. Congratulations Donna on penning an enjoyable riveting book.
December 13, 2011
It's really, really difficult to pull of a 1st person unreliable narrator. While I liked premise, in the end, the story felt manipulative in the way that M. Night Shyamalan movies are manipulative. I didn't feel any significant connection to the main character and narrator, Desdemona, even as she was experiencing the sharp grief of her father's death and the dissolution of her family.
It's quite a challenge to review the reasons this story didn't work for me without ruining the read for someone else, but it was the ending that turned me off a story that didn't completely captivate me from the start. I did read it through to the end because I was interested in the mystery of who killed Ceasar Fortune and why, but felt tricked and let down by the reveal.
It's quite a challenge to review the reasons this story didn't work for me without ruining the read for someone else, but it was the ending that turned me off a story that didn't completely captivate me from the start. I did read it through to the end because I was interested in the mystery of who killed Ceasar Fortune and why, but felt tricked and let down by the reveal.
July 7, 2011
Donna Carrick never disappoints!
She writes books that pull you through a story and then hit you with a surprise ending that you didn't see coming.
The Noon God was just that sort of book. I could not put this book down.
A family destroyed by a cold heartless father and the dedication of one, Desdemona Fortune trying to make it right for her sisters, Gail and Lucy. Did she succeed?
I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. A great travel book. It's small (122 pages) size, with a very big story, is one that can be read in a short period of time. ~Instant gratification!~
She writes books that pull you through a story and then hit you with a surprise ending that you didn't see coming.
The Noon God was just that sort of book. I could not put this book down.
A family destroyed by a cold heartless father and the dedication of one, Desdemona Fortune trying to make it right for her sisters, Gail and Lucy. Did she succeed?
I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. A great travel book. It's small (122 pages) size, with a very big story, is one that can be read in a short period of time. ~Instant gratification!~
June 20, 2016
The author brings out the frustration of living with and being a part of a family of a famous arrogant writer and father. After a father's murder what happens to the remaining siblings? The weaving of the mystery surrounding this murder will keep you in suspense until and through the very last chapter of Donna Carrick's novel. I do like a good mystery and pride myself in solving some of them, at one point I thought I knew, but dismissed that idea as more was brought forward. This is not a detective story, but one that is very compelling. I read this kindle book on my Kindle Fire, Enjoy!
September 12, 2011
A respectful, intimate character dissection of the heights and failings of greatness. The Noon God walks you through the arrogance and splendour of a fiction author's life, looked back on by his eldest daughter in the days after his murder, and paints an intimate picture visibly coloured by her own difficult relationship with her father. Lovely book, far more about character relationships than the crime mystery premise would imply.
February 16, 2012
Another Kindle eBook, The Noon God is a quick read. I appreciate the narrator autobiographical point of view. A 21st Century Toronto woman reflecting on 1968; I was there on my honeymoon in 1970, and again a couple of years ago. She got the setting right.
Spoiler. It's a murder mystery involving a long-term dysfunctional family. I think the narrator did it. I was less than half way through the story coming up with that guess.
Spoiler. It's a murder mystery involving a long-term dysfunctional family. I think the narrator did it. I was less than half way through the story coming up with that guess.
September 22, 2011
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but the story, both mystery and thriller, pulled me in before I knew what was happening. Though it began with a murder, the story was also about what led up to the murder, peppered between how the survivors dealt with death. The ending was a complete surprise - totally not who I thought it would be.
December 8, 2011
"Sometimes one can wake up, as if from a long dark sleep, into the light of a gentler day. It can happen." This line spoke to me but the rest of the book was disappointing. I read on because I wanted some resolution but the resolution was unsatisfying. The most interesting thing about this book was the family dynamics.
December 4, 2011
I got this as a free download on my Kindle, but it was REALLY good. I was shocked by the ending (no spoilers here) and intrigued by the writing style. I don't usually enjoy first-person narrative, but this book was well written and a quick read. I particularly enjoyed the commentary on the publishing inventory. I also enjoyed the Canadian setting.
June 26, 2012
Great story about the death of an author and the family he leaves behind.
His wife is dead; one of his 3 daughters is dead. His two remaining daughters try to support each other but that's hard to do with his murderer still being loose.
The final 2 pages are excellent when we finally learn who the killer is.
His wife is dead; one of his 3 daughters is dead. His two remaining daughters try to support each other but that's hard to do with his murderer still being loose.
The final 2 pages are excellent when we finally learn who the killer is.
May 31, 2010
Carrick has crafted a tense story with a complex main character who kept me guessing to the very end. Had it not been for all the interruptions of my holiday weekend, I would've plowed through this short read in one sitting.
December 12, 2011
LOVELY. I read this book through on a Sunday afternoon. It was a compelling plot speckled with meaningful moments. Arguably deep, it was an enjoyable read with engaging and meaningfully endearing characters.
December 12, 2011
This was my first Nook Book and it was free! I thought it was going to be a traditional murder mystery, but I was pleasantly surpised to find it was more about family bonds. Very short. Very fast. Well written. Will read again - maybe right away while the end is still fresh in my mind.
August 29, 2011
Punchy and tight. This book held my attention right to the end. I guess the bastard got what was coming to him, eh?
Nice work Donna!
Nice work Donna!
September 25, 2011
Moving and powerful. Full review to come.
September 9, 2011
Intriguing story of an intense relationship. I didn't expect the ending. Donna's writing style is smooth and elegant.
November 23, 2011
Sort well written book with a surprise ending. I liked. However I did get sad at certain points.
November 28, 2011
A very well-written and ultimately provocative novella about a young woman whose father has been murdered.
November 29, 2011
another great freebie...murder, dysfunctional family, redemption, etc
December 17, 2011
A mystery should not be solved only halfway through the book. But to the author's credit I was able to continue to the end despite this serious flaw.
December 23, 2011
I am a new Donna Carrick fan. This book is really good. Kept me reading into the night. Would be a good book club discussion book.
September 8, 2016
Although a shorter book, I really enjoyed the story. The ending took me by surprise.
April 30, 2012
Review to follow
April 19, 2024
This is one of those novellas I've had for sometime and picked it up last night for a quick read. It was billed as a mystery but read more like an angst filled combination of women's fiction and a memoir. The last chapter was good though.
April 20, 2013
I picked this up when it was free on Kindle. I wasn't particularly looking forward to this, because I don't often enjoy the crime or mystery genre. It's so often so pointlessly unpleasant. However, I thought I might as well give this one a try.
The Noon God surprised me. The writing was much stronger than I expected. The prose is not beautiful, but it is polished, crisp and smooth. (Nicely edited, too.) The real treasure of this book was the richness of the characters, the profluence of their dysfunctional relationships, and the deftness of the way their motivations and actions came together. In fact, it's a bit reminiscent of John Updike.
The "action" is relatively sparse, with much of the story focused more on observations going on in the main character's mind (which was good).
Without giving too much away, I'll just say I was not entirely pleased with the ending. The commentary of the character's narration struck false in the last 20 or so pages (especially the repetitive rationalizations about what everyone is capable of), and the ending felt forced. Meanwhile, the potential was dangling right there for an ending with real catharsis and significance, but then it doesn't happen. In fact, I have an alternate ending in mind which would have been an improvement.
I also had a hard time empathizing with the main character, throughout the story, making it harder to really immerse myself in the tale (which is told in the first person, from her viewpoint). Additionally, the characters' names felt contrived, even though the author did offer an explanation for those names.
All that said, the combination of the depth of the characters, and the way that we would understand them anew in a different light as new information came in, was quite well done. In fact, speaking as a fellow writer, I was inspired by that aspect.
Based on this book, I wouldn't be surprised if Donna Carrick writes a truly superlative novel some day, if she hasn't already, But this one is not quite it.
Overall, definitely a worthwhile read, but definitely not perfect.
The Noon God surprised me. The writing was much stronger than I expected. The prose is not beautiful, but it is polished, crisp and smooth. (Nicely edited, too.) The real treasure of this book was the richness of the characters, the profluence of their dysfunctional relationships, and the deftness of the way their motivations and actions came together. In fact, it's a bit reminiscent of John Updike.
The "action" is relatively sparse, with much of the story focused more on observations going on in the main character's mind (which was good).
Without giving too much away, I'll just say I was not entirely pleased with the ending. The commentary of the character's narration struck false in the last 20 or so pages (especially the repetitive rationalizations about what everyone is capable of), and the ending felt forced. Meanwhile, the potential was dangling right there for an ending with real catharsis and significance, but then it doesn't happen. In fact, I have an alternate ending in mind which would have been an improvement.
I also had a hard time empathizing with the main character, throughout the story, making it harder to really immerse myself in the tale (which is told in the first person, from her viewpoint). Additionally, the characters' names felt contrived, even though the author did offer an explanation for those names.
All that said, the combination of the depth of the characters, and the way that we would understand them anew in a different light as new information came in, was quite well done. In fact, speaking as a fellow writer, I was inspired by that aspect.
Based on this book, I wouldn't be surprised if Donna Carrick writes a truly superlative novel some day, if she hasn't already, But this one is not quite it.
Overall, definitely a worthwhile read, but definitely not perfect.
March 13, 2015
Mona's father, J. Caesar Fortune, a well-known author, disappeared on Monday. But the end of the week, his body was found with a bullet to his head. As Mona relives the past of her mom, who overdosed, her sister, who jumped out of a window and overdosed, and her other sister who eats entirely too much for comfort food, we learn why Mona may appear to have anger problems. Her husband and her divorced due to her attitude after losing her troubled sisters, as well as her dad slowly pushing him away from the family.
This is a super quick read, but seems a little mediocre the way the writing is.
August 4, 2015
"The Noon God" begins with the murder of author J. Caesar Fortune, and how it affects his two (living) daughters, Lucy and Mona. We go along with Mona as she recounts how her father didn't like her husband, and how he was generally abusive of those around him. In other words, despite us being told that Fortune is a brilliant author, he comes across as an all-around prick.
Sadly, the "whodunnit" really ticked me off ... and not due to any overall fondness for the character in question. It just seemed like a cheap cop-out to get the book over with.
Sadly, the "whodunnit" really ticked me off ... and not due to any overall fondness for the character in question. It just seemed like a cheap cop-out to get the book over with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews