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A Man Overboard
SURVIVING THE FALL WAS JUST THE BEGINNING...
When Jack's mother-in-law sends him and Stacey on a two-week cruise, they're determined to make the most of it, to forget about the cancer and its cold grip on their future.
Planning to revisit the earlier days of their marriage, and the unbridled romance that defined it, they'll lose themselves in paradise while building the resolve needed to endure the coming hell.
At least that was his plan...
Instead, he'll be cast into an ocean of deceit and dark conspiracy that will throw into doubt all that he holds dear in this world, putting to the test just how much love can truly believe...hope...and endure.
content rating: some mild language
When Jack's mother-in-law sends him and Stacey on a two-week cruise, they're determined to make the most of it, to forget about the cancer and its cold grip on their future.
Planning to revisit the earlier days of their marriage, and the unbridled romance that defined it, they'll lose themselves in paradise while building the resolve needed to endure the coming hell.
At least that was his plan...
Instead, he'll be cast into an ocean of deceit and dark conspiracy that will throw into doubt all that he holds dear in this world, putting to the test just how much love can truly believe...hope...and endure.
content rating: some mild language
328 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2012
58 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Hopkins
14 books136 followersShawn Hopkins lives with his wife and daughters in Pennsylvania. He holds degrees in theology and likes exploring the speculative side of such topics through the telling of unique stories and their characters. He enjoys a good thunderstorm, football, movies, and of course reading. He is busy on the next book.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 13, 2013
Got this as a free kindle download and decided to pick it up last night before bed. Woke up this morning and didn't put it down until I'd finished it. Luckily it wasn't toooo long! I've read the other reviews and can see the points made about conspiracy theories, but in the end it didn't matter. This was a page turner and I couldn't wait to unravel the mystery through all its twists and turns. Being headed on a cruise next month did not help to ease my mind much! I did read the online epilogue to the book and it was a real game changer! I'd definitely give any of his other writings a read.
December 8, 2012
This story was oddly fragmented. There is a semi-decent mystery story in there, but it's interspersed with conspiracy theorist rants that would be more at home on a personal blog. The unsophisticated level of Jack's thoughts about 9/11, the pharmaceutical lobby, autism and vaccines, religion, evolution and government control was insulting to me as reader. It was as though the author thought I'd never heard of or considered these topics for myself.
Very early on, I got the feeling that I was reading Christian fiction. Sure enough, Jack is undergoing a crisis of faith. There must be a Creator, he knows, because his wife is too beautiful to have arrived here through chance. I dismissed my concerns about Jack's intellect and read on. Perhaps, I thought, the author purposely made Jack this annoying conspiracy theorist in the hopes of creating personality in the character. But then Jack paid for a $5 burger and the cashier, a complete stranger to Jack, launched into a lengthy speech about evil government control, and I knew this book had an agenda. That would be fine too, if done well, but here the ramblings just seemed naive.
As for the mystery, it started off strong, but quickly fell apart. There were too many diverging threads and plot points that were left unresolved. The ending was so anti-climactic that the author provides a link to an alternative ending. I didn't read the other ending, but whatever it was, surely it was better than the one in the book.
On a positive note, it was a very quick read.
Very early on, I got the feeling that I was reading Christian fiction. Sure enough, Jack is undergoing a crisis of faith. There must be a Creator, he knows, because his wife is too beautiful to have arrived here through chance. I dismissed my concerns about Jack's intellect and read on. Perhaps, I thought, the author purposely made Jack this annoying conspiracy theorist in the hopes of creating personality in the character. But then Jack paid for a $5 burger and the cashier, a complete stranger to Jack, launched into a lengthy speech about evil government control, and I knew this book had an agenda. That would be fine too, if done well, but here the ramblings just seemed naive.
As for the mystery, it started off strong, but quickly fell apart. There were too many diverging threads and plot points that were left unresolved. The ending was so anti-climactic that the author provides a link to an alternative ending. I didn't read the other ending, but whatever it was, surely it was better than the one in the book.
On a positive note, it was a very quick read.
December 20, 2012
I spotted “A Man Overboard” by Shawn Hopkins on an indie writer’s website and asked for a review copy. I was intrigued by the sales pitch and the fact that he is an already established author - and I was not disappointed. The writing and the editing were water tight and completely professional. Hopkins is an author with amazing skill, a sharp mind and great ideas. He created a set of interesting and entertaining characters with a lot of substance. Almost all of them had more than just one side to them, which worked well for the plot and made the reading a refreshing change from clique riddled fiction.
Initially the mystery is a slow burner but then the author adds more layers and complications to the plot and before long I found it impossible to put the book down, which is saying something as I am only a casual reader of the genre. The scenes and the plot are well thought through and described in adequate detail. It is impossible to say anything more without spoiling the experience, which I hope you will decide to treat yourself to.
If I had to point out one aspect of the book that I enjoyed less it would have to be the author’s penchant for political discussions and conspiracy theories. The former are well presented and cleverly done but in my opinion occasionally get in the way of the plot; the latter are more a matter of my own personal preference. Having said this, both work well to make the characters unique and colourful.
Initially the mystery is a slow burner but then the author adds more layers and complications to the plot and before long I found it impossible to put the book down, which is saying something as I am only a casual reader of the genre. The scenes and the plot are well thought through and described in adequate detail. It is impossible to say anything more without spoiling the experience, which I hope you will decide to treat yourself to.
If I had to point out one aspect of the book that I enjoyed less it would have to be the author’s penchant for political discussions and conspiracy theories. The former are well presented and cleverly done but in my opinion occasionally get in the way of the plot; the latter are more a matter of my own personal preference. Having said this, both work well to make the characters unique and colourful.
November 16, 2012
I received "A Man Overboard" as a Goodreads First Reader recipient. Shawn Hopkins, the author, was even nice enough to autograph this for me. I'm not going to give you a summary of the book, because if you've made it this far, you're already thinking about reading it. That aside, I love this book! It has a good plot with, with lots of turns and twists. A Man Overboard is the kind of book that once started you don't want to put it down, but jobs, families and life, in general, get in the way. Once again, this is a great book. Had I not received it through Goodreads I would have gladly bought it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. See for yourself...
January 22, 2013
This is my kind of story. Frenetic action, twists and turns, and complex characters make this mystery thriller novel one of my favorites. I read it in three days, staying up late into the wee hours to see what would happen next. I think Hollywood should take note and make this into a movie. It could be right up there with Jason Bourne.
I will seek out the other books from this author.
I will seek out the other books from this author.
November 2, 2013
"An Action Packed Thriller That Never Slows Down"
Wow! I just couldn't put this book down! From the very beginning to the very end, it was action packed that just led me to read late into the night. This story begins with Jack and Stacy Green getting ready to leave on a two week cruise trip gifted to them by Stacy's mother, Viktoriya Arsov, who will be taking care of their four-year old son while they are gone. As Stacy has just learned of her breast cancer, this trip is a chance for much happiness before having to face these difficulties. Flying to Florida from Philadelphia, they soon arrive in a lovely suite on the cruise ship. During the first night, after partying, they are in their suite as three masked men attack Jack, tape his mouth closed, and throw him overboard. Someone aboard sees him going overboard, and the ship slowly turns around and he is miraculously saved. But ... where is Stacy? She's gone! Did she go overboard also? This story is full of mystery, Jack's occasional paranoia, conspiracy and deception. I highly recommend this very creative, excellently written novel.
Wow! I just couldn't put this book down! From the very beginning to the very end, it was action packed that just led me to read late into the night. This story begins with Jack and Stacy Green getting ready to leave on a two week cruise trip gifted to them by Stacy's mother, Viktoriya Arsov, who will be taking care of their four-year old son while they are gone. As Stacy has just learned of her breast cancer, this trip is a chance for much happiness before having to face these difficulties. Flying to Florida from Philadelphia, they soon arrive in a lovely suite on the cruise ship. During the first night, after partying, they are in their suite as three masked men attack Jack, tape his mouth closed, and throw him overboard. Someone aboard sees him going overboard, and the ship slowly turns around and he is miraculously saved. But ... where is Stacy? She's gone! Did she go overboard also? This story is full of mystery, Jack's occasional paranoia, conspiracy and deception. I highly recommend this very creative, excellently written novel.
September 27, 2013
nook book You can tell that this is fiction right from the beginning, because how many people would be rescued by a cruise ship after they were flung overboard. That is what happened to Jack when he and Stacy set out on a cruise given them by her mother. Though he cheats death, a number of other people do not in this suspense thriller, which combines elements of the CIA and Russian secret spy agencies. Jack does not know if Stacey is alive, or where her mother has taken little Joseph. After his house is burned to the ground, a helpful law enforcement officer helps him go underground to sort things out. Rather thrilling!
February 14, 2013
If you like suspense and novels that will pique your interest - look no further. This novel also has a lot of humor, desire and humility. I like novels that have realistic dialogue, which this author artfully crafts into this fascinating story. How will the two-week cruise end for Stacey and Jack? What lies ahead in their future? For sure: Love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...
Jeannie Walker- Award Winning Author of "I Saw the Light" - A True Story of a Near-Death Experience
Jeannie Walker- Award Winning Author of "I Saw the Light" - A True Story of a Near-Death Experience
September 29, 2013
Since this book mentioned cruising, I thought I’d give it a try. Although part of it was set on a cruise, the main theme was a Russian spy mystery. A man searches desperately for his missing wife and son while people around him end up dead or missing as he gets closer to solving the mystery.
This book was a page turner and I was immediately sucked in to the story of this couple, so desperately and passionately in love, trying to take a cruise vacation before beginning her cancer treatments.
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy a good spy mystery.
This book was a page turner and I was immediately sucked in to the story of this couple, so desperately and passionately in love, trying to take a cruise vacation before beginning her cancer treatments.
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy a good spy mystery.
September 24, 2013
Just when you thought you'd reached the end of the story, the real action begins. All in all it wasn't a bad read. It felt as though the author were trying to keep the suspense alive despite the predictability of the story. More details of the main character's friends demises might have added more reality as well as the FBI agent becoming more involved instead of just disappearing until the author needed a way to introduce new information. Struck me as a tad lame. But if you don't over think the story, you'll probably enjoy it.
October 15, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The lighthearted moments were enchanting, and the plot twists kept me guessing. As the layers of deception were peeled away and I found myself rooting for and against various characters, it really got me thinking that we don't always know people nearly as well as we think we do.
October 12, 2012
"A Man Overboard" is a delicately laced story of hope, love, suspense, and intrigue, and one you'll surely find as much of a page-turner as I did. I especially liked the characters of Jack and Stacey, portrayed realistically and believably, and the overall story is one that is so very enjoyable and full of mystery. I highly recommend this one!
November 21, 2012
Loved "A Man Overboard" and the refreshing style in which this author writes!
A thrilling tale & journey of a man being thrown overboard, while vacationing with his cancer stricken wife. Jam packed with suspense, secrets and one that will keep you flipping pages to find out what happens next. Highly recommended!
A thrilling tale & journey of a man being thrown overboard, while vacationing with his cancer stricken wife. Jam packed with suspense, secrets and one that will keep you flipping pages to find out what happens next. Highly recommended!
February 7, 2013
a literary soapbox...
April 5, 2013
A good mystery thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Hard to put down.
April 7, 2013
Loved this book. It was hard to put down. Fast paced. Highly recommend
April 19, 2013
Throughout most of the book, I wanted to slap somebody; either the fictitious Jack for being so stupid or the author for writing such a story in the first place.
April 20, 2013
Incredibly suspenseful and entertaining! Loved every page. Best book I've read in a long time.
October 17, 2013
Griping with twists and turns that, some of which, were unexpected.
February 3, 2018
I thought this was a pretty good book ... until the end. The story was interesting and suspenseful, but the ending became too convoluted to be believable or enjoyable.
December 3, 2014
This is another book which has sat on my kindle begging to be noticed and finally, I did.
The start is okay - Jack and Stacey are off on holiday, looking forward for time alone before Stacey starts treatment for breast cancer. Mum-in-law is minding the son. Why she wasn't shunted straight into treatment if the cancer was that bad, I have no idea.
They board, they have a wonderful time, then Jack gets thrown overboard! The story was okay up until there, and then it all went downhill for me.
Obviously Jack is rescued, but the story becomes so convoluted with conspiracy, FBI and CIA, terrorists that I lost the plot.
Jack seems to do a lot of crying, which was off-putting, and there were several instances where the author went into religious and political rants which slowed down the action and pretty much bored me silly.
How Jack could possibly still be madly in love with the lying, deceitful Stacey is beyond me and I didn't "buy" that she "had to do it."
I couldn't invest any care in the outcome for the rather silly hero - who stood open-mouthed and armed with a gun while the woman he loved was getting attacked - or the shenanigans enjoyed by the rest of the cast of characters.
The start is okay - Jack and Stacey are off on holiday, looking forward for time alone before Stacey starts treatment for breast cancer. Mum-in-law is minding the son. Why she wasn't shunted straight into treatment if the cancer was that bad, I have no idea.
They board, they have a wonderful time, then Jack gets thrown overboard! The story was okay up until there, and then it all went downhill for me.
Obviously Jack is rescued, but the story becomes so convoluted with conspiracy, FBI and CIA, terrorists that I lost the plot.
Jack seems to do a lot of crying, which was off-putting, and there were several instances where the author went into religious and political rants which slowed down the action and pretty much bored me silly.
How Jack could possibly still be madly in love with the lying, deceitful Stacey is beyond me and I didn't "buy" that she "had to do it."
I couldn't invest any care in the outcome for the rather silly hero - who stood open-mouthed and armed with a gun while the woman he loved was getting attacked - or the shenanigans enjoyed by the rest of the cast of characters.
February 26, 2014
It was very different from most thrillers I have read in the past. Maybe that is why I completed it. It left the reader on the edge throughout the book and even the ending was vague as to what had actually happened and who was to be believed. Extremely interesting take on American life and the sometimes strange public events that occur.
August 24, 2015
Good story, too much unnecessary detail
Ok, a good plot, but over complicated with pages of dreams, ideas, etc, lots of skimming to try and follow the main story line. Cia, KBG, FBI, a bit confusing for the novice like me. Would have been satosfied with the end, except the epilogue which again starts repeating the turmoile experienced by the main character.
Ok, a good plot, but over complicated with pages of dreams, ideas, etc, lots of skimming to try and follow the main story line. Cia, KBG, FBI, a bit confusing for the novice like me. Would have been satosfied with the end, except the epilogue which again starts repeating the turmoile experienced by the main character.
June 30, 2015
Too much useless words
It's a good story but I had to search for it. The repetition of questions in the mind of the main character seemed like just a way to fill pages. The philosophical questions were good but too many of them.
It's a good story but I had to search for it. The repetition of questions in the mind of the main character seemed like just a way to fill pages. The philosophical questions were good but too many of them.
April 6, 2013
This is a book about murder, spying, and conspiracy theories. It was a very good read with various plots along the way. I reccomend this book.
June 24, 2013
it was okay. too much inward thought though and a bit steamy at times
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews