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The Railroad
There are killers plaguing New York, taking the lives of children and their parents. At the scene of each murder the numbers 4-5-1 are written in the victim’s own blood. The killings become known as the Chapter and Verse murders.For Mike Dobbs these murders are nothing more than a few gory sound bytes on the evening news; his thoughts are elsewhere. After years as a successful player on Wall Street, Mike is caught underground in the subwayas the Twin Towers collapse above him.In a deep depression, Mike runs away to a lonely existence in upstate New York. Shortly after, he takes in Eileen and Megan Benoit, both running from Eileen’s sexually abusive husband; the three become an unlikely family.When Eileen is suddenly forced to run , Mike undertakes a dangerous journey to find her. What he finds is the shocking meaning of the Chapter and Verse murders.
- GenresMystery
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
Neil Douglas Newton
4 books12 followers Neil Newton is transplanted New Yorker who is living in Tennessee. While growing up his values and passions were forged in the crucible of New York City. Shortly before moving to Tennessee, Neil was caught in the subway as the Twin Towers collapsed.
This life changing event strengthened his conviction that abuse of any kind is not acceptable. The result is is first Novel, The Railroad.
Neil currently lives in a small Tennessee city with his inherited family who have provided him a better life than he could have imagined.
This life changing event strengthened his conviction that abuse of any kind is not acceptable. The result is is first Novel, The Railroad.
Neil currently lives in a small Tennessee city with his inherited family who have provided him a better life than he could have imagined.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2015
It’s 2001 and Mike Dobbs is a rising star on Wall Street in New York City. Out of the blue an old girlfriend calls him on the phone and his life begins to change. Eileen Benoit and her daughter Megan are in trouble and she turns to her old friend for help. Caught in a marriage with a controlling husband she learned he had been sexually molesting their daughter. In spite of pursuing legal steps to rescue her daughter and herself, Bob Benoit had more money and better connections resulting in his continued access to Megan. Mike provides Eileen and Megan with both a temporary place to stay and funds to live on until they are able to connect with the Railroad. This is not a train, but an underground group that assists abuse victims who get no recourse from the legal system to escape from their situations. Named for the Underground Railroad that aided Civil War slaves to travel from the south to the north, the Railroad maintains its secrecy.
Having helped his old friend and her strangely withdrawn daughter Mike returns to his busy and stress filled life. But September 11, 2001 dawns and before the morning has passed Mike is caught up in the terror attack that brought down the World Trade Center. It isn’t long before he begins to question what is important in his life. Faced with his own mortality and how close he came to losing his life he withdraws from his girlfriend, his job, and eventually his city.
As his relationship with Eileen and Megan grows closer he finds his feelings for her are rekindled and he struggles to understand the strange little girl who has entered his life. Before the romance can blossom Eileen is contacted by the Railroad and suddenly she and Megan are gone leaving Mike with no idea of their destination and no way to contact Eileen.
What follows is more than Mike searching for his almost family. It becomes one man’s journey to find himself and where he fits in the world. No longer overwhelmed by the business of Wall Street he is drawn to look inside himself before setting out to find Eileen and Megan. Along the way he meets danger and threats but applies the diligence he once gave to his career to rejoining the woman and child he now realizes are his destiny.
The Railroad is a mystery within a mystery. With characters you will alternately love and hate, a plot that twists and turns like train tracks up a winding mountain, the reader is drawn along to a startling conclusion. All is not it seems and people hide behind masks.
Having helped his old friend and her strangely withdrawn daughter Mike returns to his busy and stress filled life. But September 11, 2001 dawns and before the morning has passed Mike is caught up in the terror attack that brought down the World Trade Center. It isn’t long before he begins to question what is important in his life. Faced with his own mortality and how close he came to losing his life he withdraws from his girlfriend, his job, and eventually his city.
As his relationship with Eileen and Megan grows closer he finds his feelings for her are rekindled and he struggles to understand the strange little girl who has entered his life. Before the romance can blossom Eileen is contacted by the Railroad and suddenly she and Megan are gone leaving Mike with no idea of their destination and no way to contact Eileen.
What follows is more than Mike searching for his almost family. It becomes one man’s journey to find himself and where he fits in the world. No longer overwhelmed by the business of Wall Street he is drawn to look inside himself before setting out to find Eileen and Megan. Along the way he meets danger and threats but applies the diligence he once gave to his career to rejoining the woman and child he now realizes are his destiny.
The Railroad is a mystery within a mystery. With characters you will alternately love and hate, a plot that twists and turns like train tracks up a winding mountain, the reader is drawn along to a startling conclusion. All is not it seems and people hide behind masks.
August 16, 2012
I won this book through Goodreads Firstreads.. I really liked this book, it was a great read. There was a lot of typos , the author jus needs a better proofreader.. Don't let that stop you from reading this book ,. I'm glad I had a chance to read it.
Great characters and plot .I'll be look forward to reading this authors next offering.
Great characters and plot .I'll be look forward to reading this authors next offering.
August 31, 2015
There are times it takes great courage to write, especially when the events are personal—a major human-made catastrophe. Add to it a fictional focus is on the bleaker side of the human condition, and you have a book steeped with gravitas. This certainly is the case in author, Neil Newton’s tough novel, The Railroad. Unflinchingly he takes on two biggies: First, the devastating destruction of the Twin Towers. This shattered the psyche of a nation, a city, and countless individuals, including the leading character at the epicenter of the story. 9/11 was an impersonal attack by virulent strangers, tainted with a flawed ideology that showed no concern for their victims.
But the author also faces down another scourge that is immensely more personal. The abuse of spouse and child by someone who intimately knew them, someone bound by marriage vows and decency to protect them under his roof, but chose instead to be their intimate predator.
The decision by Mr. Newton write this intriguing book in the first person is extremely effective. It gives the novel an inescapable sense of immediacy, and doesn’t allow our protagonist Mike Dobbs to hide his flaws. Unflinchingly through his eyes we experience each misstep, each misgiving and every hangover. This is consistent with Dobbs’ emotional decline as a result of his narrow escape down in the depths of the subway system when the Twin Towers collapsed about him. The once go-go ambitious New Yorker is instantly a shell of his former self, echoing much of the dislocation experienced by his fellow Manhattan dwellers.
From the perspective of Dobbs we witness the unrelenting decay of his life, an understandable consequence of his dramatic 9/11's near death experience—but his wife and friends don’t quite get it. Too much drinking, fractured relationships and spiraling depression become his pattern. Not pretty.
Then circumstances deliver two strangers to his doorstep; there stands a mother and her seven year old daughter, both on the run from a narcissistic man who was meant to have protected them, instead he’d abused them. Though never invited into the cesspool Dobbs’ is compelled to get involved. Dobbs finds himself now facing an immediate villain, immensely more tangible compared to the faceless terrorists that had harmed his nation. With a new sense of purpose Mike Dobbs’ discovers that by necessity his reclusive ways are a thing of the past. As strangers seeking shelter under his roof, the mother/ daughter pair had given Dobbs a gift; they’d reignited his interest in life. Yes, Mike Dobbs had finally begun to care again.
All that was wonderful, until one day Eileen and Megan disappeared.
Without being heavy handed, author Neil Newton allows the pall of post 9/11 New York City to permeate the pages of the book—cleverly. In order that the reader would better appreciate the suffocating portrayal of abuse he uses the 9/11 catastrophe to embody the collective violation we as a nation had felt that ghastly day. In this way, though thankfully never explicit, the author succeeds in atmospherically giving us a sense of Eileen and Megan’s horror and desperation. And it’s through this veil of horror and the bottom of a bourbon glass, the ill-prepared Dobbs, is driven to right the awful wrong inflicted on the two girls he has learned to love. And so his quest begins to find the missing Eileen and her daughter Megan—and combat the unwanted attentions of an intimidating and dangerous ex-husband.
Sometimes nightmarishly Kafkaesque, the hunt takes Mike Dobb's up along the East Coast seaboard where he confronts cagey lawyers, hired thugs, suspicious small town citizens, and an apparent murderer systematically hunting down the female victims of abuse. Compelling stuff! I strenuously encourage other readers to join Mike Dobbs on his gritty mission to find Eileen and Megan before it’s too late. I certainly found it well worth the journey.
But the author also faces down another scourge that is immensely more personal. The abuse of spouse and child by someone who intimately knew them, someone bound by marriage vows and decency to protect them under his roof, but chose instead to be their intimate predator.
The decision by Mr. Newton write this intriguing book in the first person is extremely effective. It gives the novel an inescapable sense of immediacy, and doesn’t allow our protagonist Mike Dobbs to hide his flaws. Unflinchingly through his eyes we experience each misstep, each misgiving and every hangover. This is consistent with Dobbs’ emotional decline as a result of his narrow escape down in the depths of the subway system when the Twin Towers collapsed about him. The once go-go ambitious New Yorker is instantly a shell of his former self, echoing much of the dislocation experienced by his fellow Manhattan dwellers.
From the perspective of Dobbs we witness the unrelenting decay of his life, an understandable consequence of his dramatic 9/11's near death experience—but his wife and friends don’t quite get it. Too much drinking, fractured relationships and spiraling depression become his pattern. Not pretty.
Then circumstances deliver two strangers to his doorstep; there stands a mother and her seven year old daughter, both on the run from a narcissistic man who was meant to have protected them, instead he’d abused them. Though never invited into the cesspool Dobbs’ is compelled to get involved. Dobbs finds himself now facing an immediate villain, immensely more tangible compared to the faceless terrorists that had harmed his nation. With a new sense of purpose Mike Dobbs’ discovers that by necessity his reclusive ways are a thing of the past. As strangers seeking shelter under his roof, the mother/ daughter pair had given Dobbs a gift; they’d reignited his interest in life. Yes, Mike Dobbs had finally begun to care again.
All that was wonderful, until one day Eileen and Megan disappeared.
Without being heavy handed, author Neil Newton allows the pall of post 9/11 New York City to permeate the pages of the book—cleverly. In order that the reader would better appreciate the suffocating portrayal of abuse he uses the 9/11 catastrophe to embody the collective violation we as a nation had felt that ghastly day. In this way, though thankfully never explicit, the author succeeds in atmospherically giving us a sense of Eileen and Megan’s horror and desperation. And it’s through this veil of horror and the bottom of a bourbon glass, the ill-prepared Dobbs, is driven to right the awful wrong inflicted on the two girls he has learned to love. And so his quest begins to find the missing Eileen and her daughter Megan—and combat the unwanted attentions of an intimidating and dangerous ex-husband.
Sometimes nightmarishly Kafkaesque, the hunt takes Mike Dobb's up along the East Coast seaboard where he confronts cagey lawyers, hired thugs, suspicious small town citizens, and an apparent murderer systematically hunting down the female victims of abuse. Compelling stuff! I strenuously encourage other readers to join Mike Dobbs on his gritty mission to find Eileen and Megan before it’s too late. I certainly found it well worth the journey.
November 3, 2014
I won this book in goodreads giveaways and at first well I only chose this book because I fell in love with the cover because to me that is a well taken picture. Anyways I will be honest and say that I abandoned this book for about 2 weeks forgetting all about it but when I read it I really couldn't put the book down. This was surprisingly a really good book for this new author and well I think that for those people who enjoy a good mystery book this book is the one for you. Perhaps I'm just not good at the whole mystery book thing as other people, but I really did not expect that to happen in the end it was great. I'm glad to have been given this small gift. A really great read worthy book.
July 6, 2019
A new writer with a great story to tell. I hope this will be the first of many books from the new author. The story takes you on a journey and trust me, you won't see the end coming! The editing is poor and there are typos, but if you overlook them, the story just flows! Perhaps before the next book (as I said I am hoping to read more by Mr. Newton) he will be able to find someone to edit and proof before they publish.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thriller/suspense books.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thriller/suspense books.
August 25, 2012
I have received this as part of the Goodreads giveaway & I have just started to read, the 9/11 tragedy has just started.....
October 7, 2019
I read this book several years ago when it was first published and in spite of poor editing, including typos, I enjoyed the read. I recently read the newly released version and I am very impressed. The new cover is brilliant and the story was even better the second time around.
Beginning shortly before 9/11 Mike Dobbs is not a guy you like immediately. He is a career minded, self centered man with a plan. After being stuck in the subway while the towers were falling, the experience sent him on a journey from which he never returns.
The Mike Dobbs before 9/11 slowly devolves while his friends watch helplessly, until he simply cannot exist in the job or the life he had before the tragedy. Without a word, he leaves his life in NYC and moves to a run down second home in the countryside of upstate New York. All he wants is to be left alone, to drink himself into oblivion and never be reminded of those events.
Then a woman and child in desperate need of help enter his life and again Mike Dobbs is on a journey to change and again his life will never be the same.
By the end of the book, I rather liked Mike Dobbs, something I would have thought impossible at the beginning of the story.
I highly recommend this book. Be prepared for an unexpected twist at the end.
Beginning shortly before 9/11 Mike Dobbs is not a guy you like immediately. He is a career minded, self centered man with a plan. After being stuck in the subway while the towers were falling, the experience sent him on a journey from which he never returns.
The Mike Dobbs before 9/11 slowly devolves while his friends watch helplessly, until he simply cannot exist in the job or the life he had before the tragedy. Without a word, he leaves his life in NYC and moves to a run down second home in the countryside of upstate New York. All he wants is to be left alone, to drink himself into oblivion and never be reminded of those events.
Then a woman and child in desperate need of help enter his life and again Mike Dobbs is on a journey to change and again his life will never be the same.
By the end of the book, I rather liked Mike Dobbs, something I would have thought impossible at the beginning of the story.
I highly recommend this book. Be prepared for an unexpected twist at the end.
July 9, 2017
This story pulled me in from the beginning, jumping into the action—and main theme—right away. From there it maintained a steady pattern of speeding up and then calming down, which I appreciated because several scenes in this story are intense. Of course the last few chapters are full speed ahead and worth every page!
The characters are well developed and believable. The writing was intelligent and engaging, and provided plot twists which kept me turning page after page. But the best part was the ending! I had a suspicion of who was behind the “underground railroad” operation, but the way it was written still kept me glued to the pages until the very end.
I don’t like to “retell” stories in my reviews, so if you’d like to know specifically what the plot is about, read the blurb I’ve provided below, and then READ THE BOOK if you are ready for a thrilling ride!
If you enjoy a good “who done it” (even though, technically there isn’t much *death* to speak of in this story) I highly recommend this one. It has murder, suspense, romance, and a familial tone to it.
I will definitely be checking out future titles by this author!
The characters are well developed and believable. The writing was intelligent and engaging, and provided plot twists which kept me turning page after page. But the best part was the ending! I had a suspicion of who was behind the “underground railroad” operation, but the way it was written still kept me glued to the pages until the very end.
I don’t like to “retell” stories in my reviews, so if you’d like to know specifically what the plot is about, read the blurb I’ve provided below, and then READ THE BOOK if you are ready for a thrilling ride!
If you enjoy a good “who done it” (even though, technically there isn’t much *death* to speak of in this story) I highly recommend this one. It has murder, suspense, romance, and a familial tone to it.
I will definitely be checking out future titles by this author!
January 10, 2016
Makes you think. Seriously.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who knows I like to read serious books. And this is not a fun, beach, snack book. This is a serious meal you need to sink your teeth into and think. The author has decided to tackle plenty of important, real life situations, and it's far easier to dig our heads into reality shows than deal with reality.
As you follow the developments in the life of Mike Dobbs, his transformations and turbulence, cleverly told in first person, you will question his decisions, go with him through his 9-11 experience (excellent scene in the subway and consequences mentioned subsequently), a bitter, cold, dying relationship, utter depression and then - the unexpected change. When Mike drinks, when he is insensitive to the Dennis or Barbara, when he thinks of how to get rid of Eileen and Megan, he is what he is, a traumatised average man hardened by the alienation of modern life, yet doomed to reluctant kindness, generosity and heroism when face to face with a person in real trouble. It's the damaged souls guiding damaged souls, like the blind leading the blind, but still sticking together. There is good in us humans, despite the bad in us. Mike is the kind of hero I like - almost an antihero, an accidental hero who never sees himself as such because he himself is so rundown and empty that even the author makes no excuses for him. All the characters are realistic and intriguing, even the five-second appearances (the girl in the cybercafe, the innkeeper couple in a small town), and their psychology is really well-expressed, shown, not preached. I will not divulge my favourites to avoid spoilers.
The cover itself is not a compromising one - there is no couple to inspire romantic notions, although a huge portion of the story deals with relationships - romantic, family and friendships. There is no blood gushing, although the story is far from a gentle one. The title is not only an important literal image in the story, but also a metaphor, and the railroad puns and analogies woven into the plot have been placed there naturally, almost unnoticeably, yet emphasizing the message, using both the positive and negative connotations of it (travelling, discovering your paths, traditional settings, as opposed to being derailed, railroaded, cheated and defeated, whether by cunning or violence, etc.)
The initial chapters are not your average writing style and popular writers' vernacular, which grabbed my attention with plenty of interesting lines and expressions, which obviously come naturally and follow the events without distracting the reader. This style blends into more action in the second part of the book, as the story itself twists and turn that way. I enjoyed the excellent, flowing dialogues, quite an original line of thinking, and blending dialogue and character's thoughts seamlessly yet clearly defined. The language flows with impact, sometimes even like an old black-and-white detective movie or even a movie done in comic-book style.
The Railroad is a book not easily-digested, because of the topic - heavy, gruesome subjects people want to avoid but need to talk about and read about. You will want to drop it at times, because it might hit too close to home, but as soon as you put it down, you will want to get back to it. You will want to see how it turns out. Alienation, terrorism, child abuse, disfunctional marriages, detached relationships, dying friendships, inadequacy in the simplest intimate situations, post-traumatic stress, loneliness, disregard for common decency, system failures, bribe and the cowardice of laws, alcoholism, conformity... There are no comic reliefs, the readers will not be pampered with easily-digestible scenes or easy, rose-coloured romance, and Mike's battle is constant and relentless. At times there is even an unusual, erratic pace of telling events, showing the mess in Mike's mind and soul, all strongly tied into the plot as the web thickens towards the end. After the entire ordeal, you will wonder whether Mike continued the search out of bravery, stubborness, pure love, madness or the simple need for closure. But hang in there - like life, it is all worth it. There is nothing average about Mike - the average person stays away or gives in. Mike doesn't.
The ending might surprise you, and goes to prove that the most unlikely heroes, the ones who don't go looking for it, are the ones who do chage the world, one act at a time. There is a slight feeling of bitterness and injustice, knowing Mike's sacrifice. But then again, the loveliest roses need thorns.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who knows I like to read serious books. And this is not a fun, beach, snack book. This is a serious meal you need to sink your teeth into and think. The author has decided to tackle plenty of important, real life situations, and it's far easier to dig our heads into reality shows than deal with reality.
As you follow the developments in the life of Mike Dobbs, his transformations and turbulence, cleverly told in first person, you will question his decisions, go with him through his 9-11 experience (excellent scene in the subway and consequences mentioned subsequently), a bitter, cold, dying relationship, utter depression and then - the unexpected change. When Mike drinks, when he is insensitive to the Dennis or Barbara, when he thinks of how to get rid of Eileen and Megan, he is what he is, a traumatised average man hardened by the alienation of modern life, yet doomed to reluctant kindness, generosity and heroism when face to face with a person in real trouble. It's the damaged souls guiding damaged souls, like the blind leading the blind, but still sticking together. There is good in us humans, despite the bad in us. Mike is the kind of hero I like - almost an antihero, an accidental hero who never sees himself as such because he himself is so rundown and empty that even the author makes no excuses for him. All the characters are realistic and intriguing, even the five-second appearances (the girl in the cybercafe, the innkeeper couple in a small town), and their psychology is really well-expressed, shown, not preached. I will not divulge my favourites to avoid spoilers.
The cover itself is not a compromising one - there is no couple to inspire romantic notions, although a huge portion of the story deals with relationships - romantic, family and friendships. There is no blood gushing, although the story is far from a gentle one. The title is not only an important literal image in the story, but also a metaphor, and the railroad puns and analogies woven into the plot have been placed there naturally, almost unnoticeably, yet emphasizing the message, using both the positive and negative connotations of it (travelling, discovering your paths, traditional settings, as opposed to being derailed, railroaded, cheated and defeated, whether by cunning or violence, etc.)
The initial chapters are not your average writing style and popular writers' vernacular, which grabbed my attention with plenty of interesting lines and expressions, which obviously come naturally and follow the events without distracting the reader. This style blends into more action in the second part of the book, as the story itself twists and turn that way. I enjoyed the excellent, flowing dialogues, quite an original line of thinking, and blending dialogue and character's thoughts seamlessly yet clearly defined. The language flows with impact, sometimes even like an old black-and-white detective movie or even a movie done in comic-book style.
The Railroad is a book not easily-digested, because of the topic - heavy, gruesome subjects people want to avoid but need to talk about and read about. You will want to drop it at times, because it might hit too close to home, but as soon as you put it down, you will want to get back to it. You will want to see how it turns out. Alienation, terrorism, child abuse, disfunctional marriages, detached relationships, dying friendships, inadequacy in the simplest intimate situations, post-traumatic stress, loneliness, disregard for common decency, system failures, bribe and the cowardice of laws, alcoholism, conformity... There are no comic reliefs, the readers will not be pampered with easily-digestible scenes or easy, rose-coloured romance, and Mike's battle is constant and relentless. At times there is even an unusual, erratic pace of telling events, showing the mess in Mike's mind and soul, all strongly tied into the plot as the web thickens towards the end. After the entire ordeal, you will wonder whether Mike continued the search out of bravery, stubborness, pure love, madness or the simple need for closure. But hang in there - like life, it is all worth it. There is nothing average about Mike - the average person stays away or gives in. Mike doesn't.
The ending might surprise you, and goes to prove that the most unlikely heroes, the ones who don't go looking for it, are the ones who do chage the world, one act at a time. There is a slight feeling of bitterness and injustice, knowing Mike's sacrifice. But then again, the loveliest roses need thorns.
June 14, 2016
This book was recommended to me by a friend who knows I like to read serious books. And this is not a fun, beach, snack book. This is a serious meal you need to sink your teeth into and think. The author has decided to tackle plenty of important, real life situations, and it's far easier to dig our heads into reality shows than deal with reality.
As you follow the developments in the life of Mike Dobbs, his transformations and turbulence, cleverly told in first person, you will question his decisions, go with him through his 9-11 experience (excellent scene in the subway and consequences mentioned subsequently), a bitter, cold, dying relationship, utter depression and then - the unexpected change. When Mike drinks, when he is insensitive to the Dennis or Barbara, when he thinks of how to get rid of Eileen and Megan, he is what he is, a traumatised average man hardened by the alienation of modern life, yet doomed to reluctant kindness, generosity and heroism when face to face with a person in real trouble. It's the damaged souls guiding damaged souls, like the blind leading the blind, but still sticking together. There is good in us humans, despite the bad in us. Mike is the kind of hero I like - almost an antihero, an accidental hero who never sees himself as such because he himself is so rundown and empty that even the author makes no excuses for him. All the characters are realistic and intriguing, even the five-second appearances (the girl in the cybercafe, the innkeeper couple in a small town), and their psychology is really well-expressed, shown, not preached. I will not divulge my favourites to avoid spoilers.
The cover itself is not a compromising one - there is no couple to inspire romantic notions, although a huge portion of the story deals with relationships - romantic, family and friendships. There is no blood gushing, although the story is far from a gentle one. The title is not only an important literal image in the story, but also a metaphor, and the railroad puns and analogies woven into the plot have been placed there naturally, almost unnoticeably, yet emphasizing the message, using both the positive and negative connotations of it (travelling, discovering your paths, traditional settings, as opposed to being derailed, railroaded, cheated and defeated, whether by cunning or violence, etc.)
The initial chapters are not your average writing style and popular writers' vernacular, which grabbed my attention with plenty of interesting lines and expressions, which obviously come naturally and follow the events without distracting the reader. This style blends into more action in the second part of the book, as the story itself twists and turn that way. I enjoyed the excellent, flowing dialogues, quite an original line of thinking, and blending dialogue and character's thoughts seamlessly yet clearly defined. The language flows with impact, sometimes even like an old black-and-white detective movie or even a movie done in comic-book style.
The Railroad is a book not easily-digested, because of the topic - heavy, gruesome subjects people want to avoid but need to talk about and read about. You will want to drop it at times, because it might hit too close to home, but as soon as you put it down, you will want to get back to it. You will want to see how it turns out. Alienation, terrorism, child abuse, disfunctional marriages, detached relationships, dying friendships, inadequacy in the simplest intimate situations, post-traumatic stress, loneliness, disregard for common decency, system failures, bribe and the cowardice of laws, alcoholism, conformity... There are no comic reliefs, the readers will not be pampered with easily-digestible scenes or easy, rose-coloured romance, and Mike's battle is constant and relentless. At times there is even an unusual, erratic pace of telling events, showing the mess in Mike's mind and soul, all strongly tied into the plot as the web thickens towards the end. After the entire ordeal, you will wonder whether Mike continued the search out of bravery, stubborness, pure love, madness or the simple need for closure. But hang in there - like life, it is all worth it. There is nothing average about Mike - the average person stays away or gives in. Mike doesn't.
The ending might surprise you, and goes to prove that the most unlikely heroes, the ones who don't go looking for it, are the ones who do chage the world, one act at a time. There is a slight feeling of bitterness and injustice, knowing Mike's sacrifice. But then again, the loveliest roses need thorns.
As you follow the developments in the life of Mike Dobbs, his transformations and turbulence, cleverly told in first person, you will question his decisions, go with him through his 9-11 experience (excellent scene in the subway and consequences mentioned subsequently), a bitter, cold, dying relationship, utter depression and then - the unexpected change. When Mike drinks, when he is insensitive to the Dennis or Barbara, when he thinks of how to get rid of Eileen and Megan, he is what he is, a traumatised average man hardened by the alienation of modern life, yet doomed to reluctant kindness, generosity and heroism when face to face with a person in real trouble. It's the damaged souls guiding damaged souls, like the blind leading the blind, but still sticking together. There is good in us humans, despite the bad in us. Mike is the kind of hero I like - almost an antihero, an accidental hero who never sees himself as such because he himself is so rundown and empty that even the author makes no excuses for him. All the characters are realistic and intriguing, even the five-second appearances (the girl in the cybercafe, the innkeeper couple in a small town), and their psychology is really well-expressed, shown, not preached. I will not divulge my favourites to avoid spoilers.
The cover itself is not a compromising one - there is no couple to inspire romantic notions, although a huge portion of the story deals with relationships - romantic, family and friendships. There is no blood gushing, although the story is far from a gentle one. The title is not only an important literal image in the story, but also a metaphor, and the railroad puns and analogies woven into the plot have been placed there naturally, almost unnoticeably, yet emphasizing the message, using both the positive and negative connotations of it (travelling, discovering your paths, traditional settings, as opposed to being derailed, railroaded, cheated and defeated, whether by cunning or violence, etc.)
The initial chapters are not your average writing style and popular writers' vernacular, which grabbed my attention with plenty of interesting lines and expressions, which obviously come naturally and follow the events without distracting the reader. This style blends into more action in the second part of the book, as the story itself twists and turn that way. I enjoyed the excellent, flowing dialogues, quite an original line of thinking, and blending dialogue and character's thoughts seamlessly yet clearly defined. The language flows with impact, sometimes even like an old black-and-white detective movie or even a movie done in comic-book style.
The Railroad is a book not easily-digested, because of the topic - heavy, gruesome subjects people want to avoid but need to talk about and read about. You will want to drop it at times, because it might hit too close to home, but as soon as you put it down, you will want to get back to it. You will want to see how it turns out. Alienation, terrorism, child abuse, disfunctional marriages, detached relationships, dying friendships, inadequacy in the simplest intimate situations, post-traumatic stress, loneliness, disregard for common decency, system failures, bribe and the cowardice of laws, alcoholism, conformity... There are no comic reliefs, the readers will not be pampered with easily-digestible scenes or easy, rose-coloured romance, and Mike's battle is constant and relentless. At times there is even an unusual, erratic pace of telling events, showing the mess in Mike's mind and soul, all strongly tied into the plot as the web thickens towards the end. After the entire ordeal, you will wonder whether Mike continued the search out of bravery, stubborness, pure love, madness or the simple need for closure. But hang in there - like life, it is all worth it. There is nothing average about Mike - the average person stays away or gives in. Mike doesn't.
The ending might surprise you, and goes to prove that the most unlikely heroes, the ones who don't go looking for it, are the ones who do chage the world, one act at a time. There is a slight feeling of bitterness and injustice, knowing Mike's sacrifice. But then again, the loveliest roses need thorns.
October 14, 2015
Explosive and emotionally-charged. An incredible book and an amazing ending!
A story of a man emerging from the wreckage that 9/11 made of his life, may not sound the most enticing premise for a story. Indeed, it may appear quite self-indulgent and depressing, but The Railroad is not such a book. Mr Newton has written an explosive and emotionally-charged tome that tugged with continuous regularity at my heart strings.
Mike Dobbs, the lead character is a survivor of the catastrophic tragedy of 9/11. Caught in the subway just underneath the Twin Towers at the time of the attack, it is soon apparent that Dobbs is anything but a survivor. Half of him has been shattered to pieces, and the other half is guilty he's still alive, when so many he knew perished. He has a void inside that can’t be filled despite Dobbs’ attempts to fill it with copious amounts of alcohol. It leads him to face a sudden reality, his life is futile and pathetic. His Wall Street raider persona is stripped away ruthlessly by the dust of the blast, and what remains is a husk barely comprehending a meaning to life beyond the bottom of a bottle of Laphroaig. His job, love life and friends are left behind as Dobbs heads for a life in the ‘burbs of Bardstown, and his weekend retreat bought with his yuppie money. A place as ugly as his own soul has become.
Whilst Dobbs descends in to his own purgatory, chilling abductions of parents running from spouses who have abused their sons/daughters are detailed. They are interlaced into the story with a jarring frequency that takes the reader out of the mind-set of someone coping with PTSD. This story is much greater than that. Mr Newton’s excellent story-telling skills weave a story of complexity and intrigue, to keep the pages turning. This is not a second-guess book, as there are gear shifts continuously, forcing new hypotheses to emerge; new considerations to be sought.
Mike Dobbs is a man going through a transformation, and the stages of that change state are brought to life with vivid and immersive description. There are times when reading The Railroad that I felt the frustration that Dobbs experienced when all the legal doors were closed. Not giving any spoilers away, but Dobbs faces down a sick and evil individual with courage and given the fact he’s drunk most of the time, a show of smart, incisive thinking. This capability is borne out of necessity. Dobbs is on a crusade to save the lives of those he loved but for a fleeting moment. Intrinsic to his transformation to a state of inner peace, is a journey that Dobbs goes on, into the wilderness that is Maine, to save his loved ones and at the same time, himself.
An extraordinary journey with an amazing denouement. A note to Mr Newton’s genius is the change of voice at the end. A nuance that may be lost in the melee of the final realisation, but one which exemplifies the change point beautifully. A stunning debut novel and one that I highly recommend. I look forward to reading more from Mr Newton in the future.
A story of a man emerging from the wreckage that 9/11 made of his life, may not sound the most enticing premise for a story. Indeed, it may appear quite self-indulgent and depressing, but The Railroad is not such a book. Mr Newton has written an explosive and emotionally-charged tome that tugged with continuous regularity at my heart strings.
Mike Dobbs, the lead character is a survivor of the catastrophic tragedy of 9/11. Caught in the subway just underneath the Twin Towers at the time of the attack, it is soon apparent that Dobbs is anything but a survivor. Half of him has been shattered to pieces, and the other half is guilty he's still alive, when so many he knew perished. He has a void inside that can’t be filled despite Dobbs’ attempts to fill it with copious amounts of alcohol. It leads him to face a sudden reality, his life is futile and pathetic. His Wall Street raider persona is stripped away ruthlessly by the dust of the blast, and what remains is a husk barely comprehending a meaning to life beyond the bottom of a bottle of Laphroaig. His job, love life and friends are left behind as Dobbs heads for a life in the ‘burbs of Bardstown, and his weekend retreat bought with his yuppie money. A place as ugly as his own soul has become.
Whilst Dobbs descends in to his own purgatory, chilling abductions of parents running from spouses who have abused their sons/daughters are detailed. They are interlaced into the story with a jarring frequency that takes the reader out of the mind-set of someone coping with PTSD. This story is much greater than that. Mr Newton’s excellent story-telling skills weave a story of complexity and intrigue, to keep the pages turning. This is not a second-guess book, as there are gear shifts continuously, forcing new hypotheses to emerge; new considerations to be sought.
Mike Dobbs is a man going through a transformation, and the stages of that change state are brought to life with vivid and immersive description. There are times when reading The Railroad that I felt the frustration that Dobbs experienced when all the legal doors were closed. Not giving any spoilers away, but Dobbs faces down a sick and evil individual with courage and given the fact he’s drunk most of the time, a show of smart, incisive thinking. This capability is borne out of necessity. Dobbs is on a crusade to save the lives of those he loved but for a fleeting moment. Intrinsic to his transformation to a state of inner peace, is a journey that Dobbs goes on, into the wilderness that is Maine, to save his loved ones and at the same time, himself.
An extraordinary journey with an amazing denouement. A note to Mr Newton’s genius is the change of voice at the end. A nuance that may be lost in the melee of the final realisation, but one which exemplifies the change point beautifully. A stunning debut novel and one that I highly recommend. I look forward to reading more from Mr Newton in the future.
December 2, 2016
Plot: In a nutshell, The Railroad is a deeply emotional story about a man traumatized by his experiences on 9/11, and his journey back from that darkness. But the story is far more than that. Mike Dobbs, the main character, sinks into alcoholism and obvious PTSD, and at times he's insufferable (in a good way). He's a incredibly detailed character of both virtues and flaws, and you can't help but root for him as he finds his way to redemption by helping an abused mother and child on the run, assisted by the mysterious "Railroad." His concern becomes love, and when they have to flee again, he faces extraordinary obstacles in the name of that love.
Strengths: The characterization is fantastic! Mike Dobbs is about as compelling a character as you can find. The story is told in 1st person, so you really get into his head, and what a jumbled, messed up head it is. At times you want to hug him, other times punch him, other times have a couple of drinks with him (he drinks this obscure scotch that I can't spell, but later becomes a plot point/clue). As a New Yorker, I especially understood Mike's specific mindset about little "New York" things that no one outside of the city would know or think about (I wouldn't even know how to go about explaining them). It's a voice that couldn't be copied by someone that didn't know the city. The supporting characters aren't quite as deep, serving more as catalysts for Mike's growth, but there's nothing wrong with that.
I loved the two settings and the contrast between them. I've lived in the city, and I've lived in Upstate NY (I'm presuming that "Bardstown" is a stand in for "Annandale-On-Hudson," the home of Bard College). Newton nailed both settings, both in the land and the people.
Weaknesses: I felt that the book was a bit too long. There are places where the plot gets redundant, especially during the middle, when he is antagonized by Benoit and searching for legal advice, It's important stuff, but could've been condensed some. There's one point where he explains the entire plot of Fahrenheit 451, which was unnecessary. The mystery wasn't particularly hard to solve, as there were only two suspects. However, Mike's trying to solve the mystery is not as important as Mike trying to heal himself through it.
Conclusion: "The Railroad" really touched me with it's portrayal of PTSD and recovery from that. The railroad in the novel isn't just a clever name to help people escape abusive spouses, it's a metaphorical vehicle that takes Mike Dobbs from a broken man (he was stuck in the subway--a literal railroad--during the WTC attack) to a rebuilt one, free of the flaws he had before that tragic day. I loved this novel.
Strengths: The characterization is fantastic! Mike Dobbs is about as compelling a character as you can find. The story is told in 1st person, so you really get into his head, and what a jumbled, messed up head it is. At times you want to hug him, other times punch him, other times have a couple of drinks with him (he drinks this obscure scotch that I can't spell, but later becomes a plot point/clue). As a New Yorker, I especially understood Mike's specific mindset about little "New York" things that no one outside of the city would know or think about (I wouldn't even know how to go about explaining them). It's a voice that couldn't be copied by someone that didn't know the city. The supporting characters aren't quite as deep, serving more as catalysts for Mike's growth, but there's nothing wrong with that.
I loved the two settings and the contrast between them. I've lived in the city, and I've lived in Upstate NY (I'm presuming that "Bardstown" is a stand in for "Annandale-On-Hudson," the home of Bard College). Newton nailed both settings, both in the land and the people.
Weaknesses: I felt that the book was a bit too long. There are places where the plot gets redundant, especially during the middle, when he is antagonized by Benoit and searching for legal advice, It's important stuff, but could've been condensed some. There's one point where he explains the entire plot of Fahrenheit 451, which was unnecessary. The mystery wasn't particularly hard to solve, as there were only two suspects. However, Mike's trying to solve the mystery is not as important as Mike trying to heal himself through it.
Conclusion: "The Railroad" really touched me with it's portrayal of PTSD and recovery from that. The railroad in the novel isn't just a clever name to help people escape abusive spouses, it's a metaphorical vehicle that takes Mike Dobbs from a broken man (he was stuck in the subway--a literal railroad--during the WTC attack) to a rebuilt one, free of the flaws he had before that tragic day. I loved this novel.
January 25, 2016
If you are my age, then you probably remember exactly what you were doing when the Twin Towers came down. I was at my part-time job at my college campus. Fortunately, I was not, like the protagonist of Neil Newton’s fast-paced thriller The Railroad, anywhere near a New York metro. As claustrophobic as I am, I would had a massive panic attack. And like the out-of-service metro, Newton’s novel entrapped me to where I was unable to escape until I reached the end of the line.
Mike Dobbs is a top Wall Street executive whose world is turned upside when he is trapped in a metro car with other panicking passengers for thirty minutes. Afterwards, suffering from PTSD from being trapped and from the terrorist attacks in general, Mike decides to leave New York City and stay in his country home in upstate. He thinks the quiet and solitude would ease his mind, but it isn’t long before he is contacted by Elena, a former flame who runs The Railroad, an organization that helps battered women and children escape to safety. He grudgingly agrees to host Eileen and her daughter Megan for a few days, and after an initial rocky start, the mother and daughter began to grow on him. With Eileen’s sadistic husband Bob on their trials, the pair leave. Mike is upset, but his concerns quickly take a turn when Bob begins a campaign of psychological torment against Mike, and worse, the authorities are reluctant to get involved. For his own safety and for that of Eileen and Megan, Mike is forced to take matters into his own hands. Along the way, becoming increasingly stressed and paranoid, Mike’s sanity slowly begins to crumble.
Although this book is in need of a round of editing and a reformatting, the plot pacing and character development easily outweigh these issues. This is a suspense thriller that will keep you on the edge of you seat, and the reader will gladly go along with Mike on his journey through all seven circles to find his foster family. The tale of the doomed pair, told against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is satisfying on many levels. The ending is a bit unusual and can be confusing if you don’t read carefully. Overall, I recommend this book a hundred times over.
Mike Dobbs is a top Wall Street executive whose world is turned upside when he is trapped in a metro car with other panicking passengers for thirty minutes. Afterwards, suffering from PTSD from being trapped and from the terrorist attacks in general, Mike decides to leave New York City and stay in his country home in upstate. He thinks the quiet and solitude would ease his mind, but it isn’t long before he is contacted by Elena, a former flame who runs The Railroad, an organization that helps battered women and children escape to safety. He grudgingly agrees to host Eileen and her daughter Megan for a few days, and after an initial rocky start, the mother and daughter began to grow on him. With Eileen’s sadistic husband Bob on their trials, the pair leave. Mike is upset, but his concerns quickly take a turn when Bob begins a campaign of psychological torment against Mike, and worse, the authorities are reluctant to get involved. For his own safety and for that of Eileen and Megan, Mike is forced to take matters into his own hands. Along the way, becoming increasingly stressed and paranoid, Mike’s sanity slowly begins to crumble.
Although this book is in need of a round of editing and a reformatting, the plot pacing and character development easily outweigh these issues. This is a suspense thriller that will keep you on the edge of you seat, and the reader will gladly go along with Mike on his journey through all seven circles to find his foster family. The tale of the doomed pair, told against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is satisfying on many levels. The ending is a bit unusual and can be confusing if you don’t read carefully. Overall, I recommend this book a hundred times over.
September 20, 2016
Riveting story, although I felt the main character was a little confusing at times. I did enjoy the book and I liked the ending even if I didn't quite understand it!
September 4, 2016
Mike Dobbs was stuck in a rut, in both his job on Wall Street and in his love life. He knew he needed something to get himself out of it, and it came in the form of 9/11. Stuck in the subway as the event unfolded, he emerged to find that his neighborhood and the New York City that he knew so well was forever changed. He decided to leave that disaster behind to find himself again, but instead of finding peace, he found himself in the middle of his own nightmare in upstate New York.
The author paints a vivid picture of the 9/11 disaster and its aftermath and captures the emotional turmoil of survivors who were forced to pick up the pieces of their lives afterwards. As the main character struggles to deal with his own demons, he leaves his home in New York City to find solace in his run-down vacation home, where he is asked by a friend to do a favor for a woman and her daughter who are in a domestic abuse situation. He offers his home as a safe haven for a few days until they can be moved by an underground group called The Railroad, but instead he is pulled in for the long haul. Throw in a string of kidnappings, a stalking, some mysterious postcards, and a road trip that takes him all across New England, and you will find yourself just as emotionally involved and exhausted as the main character. This debut novel by Neil Douglas Newton is an intriguing story of abuse and survival, and you’ll find yourself cheering for Mike Dobbs to finally find the peace and happiness he deserves.
The author paints a vivid picture of the 9/11 disaster and its aftermath and captures the emotional turmoil of survivors who were forced to pick up the pieces of their lives afterwards. As the main character struggles to deal with his own demons, he leaves his home in New York City to find solace in his run-down vacation home, where he is asked by a friend to do a favor for a woman and her daughter who are in a domestic abuse situation. He offers his home as a safe haven for a few days until they can be moved by an underground group called The Railroad, but instead he is pulled in for the long haul. Throw in a string of kidnappings, a stalking, some mysterious postcards, and a road trip that takes him all across New England, and you will find yourself just as emotionally involved and exhausted as the main character. This debut novel by Neil Douglas Newton is an intriguing story of abuse and survival, and you’ll find yourself cheering for Mike Dobbs to finally find the peace and happiness he deserves.
April 21, 2016
Mike Dobbs, the hero of this novel, is a flawed but eminently likeable man. Having narrowly escaped the devastation of the Twin Towers, he is instantly thrown into a turmoil of his own. No longer the practical, fast-paced New Yorker with the celebrated devil-may-care attitude, Dobbs spirals into an alcohol induced existence while those around him are locked in goggle-eyed confusion. The natural band aid to a near-death experience, but a transformation he neither wants nor cares to repair. As he continuously knocks back bottle after bottle of Laphroaig knowing exactly how low - is low, we know that beneath this pathetic persona, Dobbs is one hard-core survivor who won’t grovel in such a hell-fired limbo. This ‘sense’ is what made this book so fascinating for me.
A mother and her seven-year-old daughter are on the run from a narcissistic abuser at the same time that Dobbs is on the run from himself. As these three shattered individuals careen on parallel tracks, Newton cleverly weaves in the sense of horror and violation all parties experience. Dobbs simply can’t get away from it and neither can we. But all this comes with a surprising surge of tenderness which I wasn’t expecting. It literally oozed from the hard shell he’d created. Eileen and Megan become both his dreams and his nightmares and Dobbs shrugs on a harder armor, becoming the hunter he knows he is.
Whether he’s retreating in Bardstown or confronting goons along the East Coast seaboard, he drops and rolls with each attack, and sacrifices because he must. Mike Dobbs is quite simply you and I at our very worst and at our very best. I was so glad I bought this book.
A mother and her seven-year-old daughter are on the run from a narcissistic abuser at the same time that Dobbs is on the run from himself. As these three shattered individuals careen on parallel tracks, Newton cleverly weaves in the sense of horror and violation all parties experience. Dobbs simply can’t get away from it and neither can we. But all this comes with a surprising surge of tenderness which I wasn’t expecting. It literally oozed from the hard shell he’d created. Eileen and Megan become both his dreams and his nightmares and Dobbs shrugs on a harder armor, becoming the hunter he knows he is.
Whether he’s retreating in Bardstown or confronting goons along the East Coast seaboard, he drops and rolls with each attack, and sacrifices because he must. Mike Dobbs is quite simply you and I at our very worst and at our very best. I was so glad I bought this book.
February 21, 2016
This story actually starts out as two, seemingly unrelated, stories, but as it progresses, the two tales are woven together so skillfully you almost forget that they were once separate. First, there are hints about some abductions of women and children that are taking place, but you can't quite figure out what's going on. But there's enough given that you're immediately hooked from the first page. Then there's the story of Mike Dobbs, a man who is wrestling with PTSD and the big question of what he wants out of life. And all of this is set against the dramatic backdrop of the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Overall, I have to say I love this book!! Mr. Newton tackles hard issues like child sex abuse, dealing with and healing from trauma, and the consequences of apathy and ignorance. He does an excellent job of highlighting the inadequacies of the justice system when it comes to protecting children from abusive parents. And the suspense he builds without even seeming to try will keep you on the edge of your seat! But even though I would classify this book as a suspenseful thriller, I would also say the writing qualifies as literary in nature. Mr. Newton really explores the human condition and what it feels like when people form unexpected bonds with others. All-in-all, five stars, and I truly hope Mr. Newton writes more stories for others to enjoy! :-)
Overall, I have to say I love this book!! Mr. Newton tackles hard issues like child sex abuse, dealing with and healing from trauma, and the consequences of apathy and ignorance. He does an excellent job of highlighting the inadequacies of the justice system when it comes to protecting children from abusive parents. And the suspense he builds without even seeming to try will keep you on the edge of your seat! But even though I would classify this book as a suspenseful thriller, I would also say the writing qualifies as literary in nature. Mr. Newton really explores the human condition and what it feels like when people form unexpected bonds with others. All-in-all, five stars, and I truly hope Mr. Newton writes more stories for others to enjoy! :-)
September 4, 2015
A well written, intriguing story.
This book came as a surprise. Sure, I saw the cover, read the blurb, but didn’t expect the quality of the writing or the clever storyline. When an old girlfriend calls Mike Dobbs, a successful Wall Street mover and shaker, and asks for money to get her and her daughter away from an abusive husband, he agrees. And so begins The Railroad. What works in this story is the effective way the author uses the tragedy of 9/11, and the trauma of Mike Dobbs, who finds himself stuck on a subway train as the buildings collapse, to detail Mike’s gradual, alcoholic decline. Living by himself in his beaten-down country house, wallowing in depression and single malt, another phone call will bring a mother and daughter, running from her husband, into his life. The Railroad picks up steam as Mike attempts to relate to his new housemates. I also liked the way Newton unfolds the legal issues of women who suspect their husbands of child abuse, and a stifling court system that forces many to search for illegal alternatives – like The Railroad. The story is paced well and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and turning pages. The writing, at times, reminded me of DeMille. All in all, I really liked, and would recommend, this book.
This book came as a surprise. Sure, I saw the cover, read the blurb, but didn’t expect the quality of the writing or the clever storyline. When an old girlfriend calls Mike Dobbs, a successful Wall Street mover and shaker, and asks for money to get her and her daughter away from an abusive husband, he agrees. And so begins The Railroad. What works in this story is the effective way the author uses the tragedy of 9/11, and the trauma of Mike Dobbs, who finds himself stuck on a subway train as the buildings collapse, to detail Mike’s gradual, alcoholic decline. Living by himself in his beaten-down country house, wallowing in depression and single malt, another phone call will bring a mother and daughter, running from her husband, into his life. The Railroad picks up steam as Mike attempts to relate to his new housemates. I also liked the way Newton unfolds the legal issues of women who suspect their husbands of child abuse, and a stifling court system that forces many to search for illegal alternatives – like The Railroad. The story is paced well and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and turning pages. The writing, at times, reminded me of DeMille. All in all, I really liked, and would recommend, this book.
February 13, 2016
First things first: I really enjoyed this book. The characters come across as real people. Watching Mike Dobbs struggle to reclaim his own life after experiencing first-hand the horrors of 9-11 made me want to reach inside and give the guy a hug. There were also times I wanted to shake some sense into him. Yet Mike soldiered on, a flawed yet genuinely good person who will stop at nothing to help the people he loves.
And that's where The Railroad really shines. The mystery behind the whereabouts of Eileen and Megan is masterfully told. The author had me guessing the entire time, and when the moment of truth came, and everything was revealed, I was blown away. It's a great ending. I don't want to say too much for fear of giving anything away, but it shows what a talented storyteller Mr. Newton is. The clues were there, and just when I thought I had it, the truth was something else entirely. Again, I have to congratulate the author on his wizardry. He got me.
This book is everything a reader could want in a mystery novel, and I recommend it. Highly.
And that's where The Railroad really shines. The mystery behind the whereabouts of Eileen and Megan is masterfully told. The author had me guessing the entire time, and when the moment of truth came, and everything was revealed, I was blown away. It's a great ending. I don't want to say too much for fear of giving anything away, but it shows what a talented storyteller Mr. Newton is. The clues were there, and just when I thought I had it, the truth was something else entirely. Again, I have to congratulate the author on his wizardry. He got me.
This book is everything a reader could want in a mystery novel, and I recommend it. Highly.
February 24, 2016
Wow! I found this debut novel exceptionally well written. The story takes place in the wake of 9/11 and a Wallstreet socialite loses his interest in the high life, sinking into the despair of depression after his experience on that tragic day. The plot was well done leading me down rabbit trails of speculation about what was happening. Parents and children using an underground network to run away from abusive spouses are mysteriously disappearing from their cars or homes. One man intent upon protecting a mother and child he's grown to love finds himself in numerous bad situations. He doesn't know who to trust and finds he can't trust anyone. Action packed, suspenseful, and a satisfying conclusion that I didn't really expect until near the very end. Well done. Appropriate for older teens and adults of all ages. I give this one five stars.
April 22, 2014
I was fortunate to win this book from Goodreads.
This is Neil Newton’s first book and he had my interest from the first page.
It took me a few days to read as other things like family required my attention (lol)
There are editing errors, but they do not detract from the story. I enjoyed the character of Mike Dobbs, although I wondered how he could function as he did with so much time spent drinking. This is an intriguing book with lots of twists. Just when you think you might see where the story is headed, there is a turn and you are off on another trail. I would recommend this book to anyone.
A great read, and looking for more books to be published.
This is Neil Newton’s first book and he had my interest from the first page.
It took me a few days to read as other things like family required my attention (lol)
There are editing errors, but they do not detract from the story. I enjoyed the character of Mike Dobbs, although I wondered how he could function as he did with so much time spent drinking. This is an intriguing book with lots of twists. Just when you think you might see where the story is headed, there is a turn and you are off on another trail. I would recommend this book to anyone.
A great read, and looking for more books to be published.
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April 20, 2016A broken man and a cause.
Mike has survived the attack in New York on 9/11. He cannot shake the destruction and wrecked emotions he feels. Mike quits his Wall Street job and moves out of the city. He is asked by an old friend to help her friend and daughter escape an abusive husband and father. What Mike doesn't realize is that he will lose his heart and maybe his mind by helping the pair. Eileen and Meghan are going to be helped by the " Underground". When they do disappear Mike believes they may be victims of a serial killing cult. For Mike to have peace, he needs to unravel the mystery he has become a part of and he may not survive.
Mike has survived the attack in New York on 9/11. He cannot shake the destruction and wrecked emotions he feels. Mike quits his Wall Street job and moves out of the city. He is asked by an old friend to help her friend and daughter escape an abusive husband and father. What Mike doesn't realize is that he will lose his heart and maybe his mind by helping the pair. Eileen and Meghan are going to be helped by the " Underground". When they do disappear Mike believes they may be victims of a serial killing cult. For Mike to have peace, he needs to unravel the mystery he has become a part of and he may not survive.
August 18, 2014
I was attracted to this book because of my interest in domestic violence, and I appreciate the way the author portrayed the horrors of domestic violence in a compelling story. While I really enjoyed the book, two things kept me from giving it five stars: more grammar and spelling errors than expected and the depiction of the crimes as "chapter and verse killings" even though there was no physical evidence at the time that the victims were dead.
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