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The Buchanan Bastard
High-society debutante Laura Lynn Beauford entered the groovy 1970's with great expectations. Newly married to millionaire Brian Buchanan and expecting their first child, heir to the vast Buchanan empire, life could not be sweeter for this Louisiana darling.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the hometown of the Buchanan dynasty, was set to be the best the state had ever seen until a shocking murder plunged Laura Lynn into her worst nightmare. The glamorous debutante is trapped in the surreal world behind bars, desperate to prove her innocence and save her baby.
Larry Beauford, her decorated war hero father and small town Mayor, is Laura Lynn's only champion, fighting to clear his daughter's good name. Can Larry untangle the convoluted threads leading him down the rabbit hole? From Louisiana to the Middle East and Russia, the mystery and danger deepens as Larry races against time to secure the safety of his only daughter and grandchild.
"This is Dedra L. Stevenson's best work yet! I couldn't put it down and found myself wanting to read it faster and faster. So action-packed and enthralling." Richard Dee, renowned science fiction author
RAK Book club book of the year! 2022
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the hometown of the Buchanan dynasty, was set to be the best the state had ever seen until a shocking murder plunged Laura Lynn into her worst nightmare. The glamorous debutante is trapped in the surreal world behind bars, desperate to prove her innocence and save her baby.
Larry Beauford, her decorated war hero father and small town Mayor, is Laura Lynn's only champion, fighting to clear his daughter's good name. Can Larry untangle the convoluted threads leading him down the rabbit hole? From Louisiana to the Middle East and Russia, the mystery and danger deepens as Larry races against time to secure the safety of his only daughter and grandchild.
"This is Dedra L. Stevenson's best work yet! I couldn't put it down and found myself wanting to read it faster and faster. So action-packed and enthralling." Richard Dee, renowned science fiction author
RAK Book club book of the year! 2022
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2023
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 22, 2023
Very well written story,,which make me thrill to read more and more until the last page,, different characters from different backgrounds which make it so interesting for the reader to keep going and link the story from different perspectives,,amazing book from amazing writer.
March 29, 2023
great read!
I couldn’t put it down!! Lots of twists and turns that kept me hooked. I recommend for any murder mystery fans out there
I couldn’t put it down!! Lots of twists and turns that kept me hooked. I recommend for any murder mystery fans out there
March 29, 2023
I love a good mystery; all the twists and turns really capture my attention. So I was eager to read Dedra Stevenson’s The Buchanan Bastard. And I got a bit of a thriller in the mix as well!
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Laura Buchanan after the shocking murder of her husband, Brian, heir to Buchanan Oil. Framed for his murder, as well as pregnant, Laura must try to figure out who really wanted her husband dead, be it his half-brothers, enemies of his own, or someone much more sinister. With help from her father, Laura traverses the world of long-hidden secrets and the Russian mob, all while trying to keep herself alive.
This book started off as I would expect from a high-drama mystery. There is a murder, an intimate (family, in this case) is framed, and that intimate must try and solve the mystery before they’re put behind bars. This book took that premise and pushed it a little further, edging into the territory of thrillers. There was a lot of mob involvement, as well as some international activity that really took a straightforward frame job and made it quite dramatic. In general, I like drama. This book, I think, had plenty of that, but it also kept escalating the stakes. I don’t mind a bit of escalation, but when it is continuous, when the ending is so far out of context with the beginning, it feels a bit contrived. A bit more Hollywood-ready than book-ready.
2. Thoughts on the characters
I liked most of the characters in this book. Jim, the murder victim’s half brother, especially was fascinating. I think that this book did well in showing a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Unfortunately, Laura, who was meant to be the main character, was a bit of a throw away character for me. She didn’t really do a whole lot except for worry about solving the mystery and being pregnant, which felt a bit more like a plot point to me than anything. She had such potential, especially being a high-society lady; she could have easily been steel-spined and capable rather than relying on others to help her. Still, she wasn’t a character I disliked, either. She just felt more like part of the plot than a distinct personality.
3. Favourite part
I think the set up of this story was excellent. The first fifteen percent or so just laid the groundwork exceptionally and I was really drawn in.
4. Critique
Honestly—and this is definitely a subjective opinion that not everyone will share—this book felt more like the script for a movie to me. I like to read the internal thoughts of a character, the details of the world, the things that are often glossed over in a script because they’ll be seen in the final film. This book had some of that, but it also felt more like a script, where the focus was on big grand gestures and actions than the minutae. That is absolutely a personal preference, and I know not a lot of people will agree with me. I’m just more fond of books than film, I suppose.
Overall, I think this book was interesting and entertaining. I liked the twists and turns, and while it had a bit of an excess of drama, pushing it beyond the realm of believable, it was definitely entertaining. A good read.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Laura Buchanan after the shocking murder of her husband, Brian, heir to Buchanan Oil. Framed for his murder, as well as pregnant, Laura must try to figure out who really wanted her husband dead, be it his half-brothers, enemies of his own, or someone much more sinister. With help from her father, Laura traverses the world of long-hidden secrets and the Russian mob, all while trying to keep herself alive.
This book started off as I would expect from a high-drama mystery. There is a murder, an intimate (family, in this case) is framed, and that intimate must try and solve the mystery before they’re put behind bars. This book took that premise and pushed it a little further, edging into the territory of thrillers. There was a lot of mob involvement, as well as some international activity that really took a straightforward frame job and made it quite dramatic. In general, I like drama. This book, I think, had plenty of that, but it also kept escalating the stakes. I don’t mind a bit of escalation, but when it is continuous, when the ending is so far out of context with the beginning, it feels a bit contrived. A bit more Hollywood-ready than book-ready.
2. Thoughts on the characters
I liked most of the characters in this book. Jim, the murder victim’s half brother, especially was fascinating. I think that this book did well in showing a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Unfortunately, Laura, who was meant to be the main character, was a bit of a throw away character for me. She didn’t really do a whole lot except for worry about solving the mystery and being pregnant, which felt a bit more like a plot point to me than anything. She had such potential, especially being a high-society lady; she could have easily been steel-spined and capable rather than relying on others to help her. Still, she wasn’t a character I disliked, either. She just felt more like part of the plot than a distinct personality.
3. Favourite part
I think the set up of this story was excellent. The first fifteen percent or so just laid the groundwork exceptionally and I was really drawn in.
4. Critique
Honestly—and this is definitely a subjective opinion that not everyone will share—this book felt more like the script for a movie to me. I like to read the internal thoughts of a character, the details of the world, the things that are often glossed over in a script because they’ll be seen in the final film. This book had some of that, but it also felt more like a script, where the focus was on big grand gestures and actions than the minutae. That is absolutely a personal preference, and I know not a lot of people will agree with me. I’m just more fond of books than film, I suppose.
Overall, I think this book was interesting and entertaining. I liked the twists and turns, and while it had a bit of an excess of drama, pushing it beyond the realm of believable, it was definitely entertaining. A good read.
April 1, 2023
The Buchanan Bastard is an absolutely captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Dedra L. Stevenson weaves a complex and thrilling tale of murder, intrigue, and family drama that takes you from the streets of New Orleans to the far reaches of the globe.
The characters are incredibly well-written and fleshed out, particularly Laura Lynn Beauford, the young debutante who finds herself embroiled in a shocking murder case that threatens to tear her world apart. Her father, Larry Beauford, is also a standout character, a decorated war hero and small town Mayor who will stop at nothing to clear his daughter's name and protect his family.
Stevenson's writing is masterful, seamlessly blending historical accuracy with a gripping and suspenseful narrative that will leave you breathless. The pacing is perfect, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
I particularly enjoyed the way Stevenson brought the various settings to life, from the opulence of high society New Orleans to the danger and intrigue of the Middle East and Russia. The attention to detail is impressive, and it really helps to transport you into the world of the book.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Buchanan Bastard to anyone looking for an exciting and immersive read. It's no wonder that it was awarded the RAK Book Club Book of the Year in 2022. Dedra L. Stevenson has truly outdone herself with this one!
The characters are incredibly well-written and fleshed out, particularly Laura Lynn Beauford, the young debutante who finds herself embroiled in a shocking murder case that threatens to tear her world apart. Her father, Larry Beauford, is also a standout character, a decorated war hero and small town Mayor who will stop at nothing to clear his daughter's name and protect his family.
Stevenson's writing is masterful, seamlessly blending historical accuracy with a gripping and suspenseful narrative that will leave you breathless. The pacing is perfect, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
I particularly enjoyed the way Stevenson brought the various settings to life, from the opulence of high society New Orleans to the danger and intrigue of the Middle East and Russia. The attention to detail is impressive, and it really helps to transport you into the world of the book.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Buchanan Bastard to anyone looking for an exciting and immersive read. It's no wonder that it was awarded the RAK Book Club Book of the Year in 2022. Dedra L. Stevenson has truly outdone herself with this one!
March 29, 2023
Great, fast-paced thriller.
I really enjoyed the story, it was a very ambitious sweep but you carried it off well. There was plenty of backstory and scene-setting to explain the reasons behind everything and give it the emotional context that the later stages required. Not only that, it did a good job of making me feel excited, sympathetic, shocked and as if I was watching it as a film in my head.
I’ve spent time in the American south, a few years ago, I can tell you that you have the world-building nailed, it all seemed so familiar to how I remembered it.
This story starts off as a murder mystery and turns into so much more, with an international flavour and a story that races along.
I thought the action sequences were tight and believable, especially given the backstory. I found myself caught up in the action and wanting to read faster, which is always a good sign.
Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed the story, it was a very ambitious sweep but you carried it off well. There was plenty of backstory and scene-setting to explain the reasons behind everything and give it the emotional context that the later stages required. Not only that, it did a good job of making me feel excited, sympathetic, shocked and as if I was watching it as a film in my head.
I’ve spent time in the American south, a few years ago, I can tell you that you have the world-building nailed, it all seemed so familiar to how I remembered it.
This story starts off as a murder mystery and turns into so much more, with an international flavour and a story that races along.
I thought the action sequences were tight and believable, especially given the backstory. I found myself caught up in the action and wanting to read faster, which is always a good sign.
Highly recommended.
March 9, 2023
This is the best writing I've ever done, and while The Revenge of the Blue Jinni will always be my most loved book, The Buchanan Bastard has become my new favorite. I would be so happy for all of you to join me on a trip to the 1970s during the exciting Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Meet the Buchanan Oil Barons. Get caught up in their world of espionage, murder and betrayal. How will Laura Lynn Beauford ever make it out of this web of deceit?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews