Kracker Flats

by Mario Iezzoni

Twisting the reluctant wedding band from her trembling finger, Marci Lindum's chest tightened; her stomach tumbled. To protect her son, she'd already acquiesced to doing the unthinkable. And before she could recant her next decision, to barter the solid gold ring, the arthritic seamstress snatched it away. Kracker Flats is Marci Lindum's tale of survival after Hurricane Kate, the most destructive hurricane ever, strikes Tampa Bay. Her brat daughter is missing. Her inept husband is attacked by an alligator. Hoarding neighbors are selfish, while others have gone crazy. To find her daughter and to seek help, Marci takes charge and ventures on a journey that leaves her stranded within a band of odd, and at times colorful, indigents-Krackers, who by design are remarkably well prepared. Marci pursues the most capable Kracker, the dominant male, Dale Carter, who can provide for her every need, including the safety of her son. She learns that Dale holds close to his broken heart a secret that only Marci could ever answer.

438 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2012

About the author

Born in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, Mario Iezzoni wrote nearly his entire life.

A geography major, often Mario submitted editorials to the college and local newspapers.

Working as a whitewater river guide after college, he developed the idea for his first novel, The Postulant, 2007, a story of a young girl considering a life of celibacy. A second edition will be released in Fall 2013.

In 2013, he published his second novel, Krakcer Flats, a story of a family trapped in a deed restricted community after a devastating hurricane strikes. Some say this novel is better than Carl Hiassen's work, another Florida writer.

He is currently working on his third novel, Voodoo Cruise, a story of a newscaster uncovering a plot by a Haitian Village to sink a cruise ship that has destroyed its peaceful lifestyle.

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Kracker Flats by Mario Lezzoni as a Goodreads First-reads giveaway winner. The book is about two different groups of people living in Florida, and their lives prior to, as well as, after a devastating hurricane. These groups are basically the "haves" and the "have-nots." Mario Lezzoni is a very descriptive writer who tells a story of survival. It is, at times both tragic and witty, but always captivating. At times it was intense, suspenseful and a bit creepy. I enjoyed the unique characters of Kracker Flats. Overall, the book is highly entertaining.

[Jane Thoele · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I had a problem with the authors excessive use of adjectives and sentence structure, but I since this was a giveaway gift I decided to try and ignore those problems and see how the story progressed. I am glad I did. The characters are funny & very colorful. The author did an excellent job of portraying the various dysfunctions of two different communities. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh a lot because it is very funny.

[Bryan Hackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book several years ago, I wasn't quite sure where it was heading. Living in the area where this book is to conceivably take place, I resonated with some characters not at all with others. For me, that made the book a little hard to get into. But, over time I kept going and I actually found myself enjoying it.

Taking place on the gulf coast of Florida, I resonated with some of the issues the characters were going through, including an impending hurricane and all of the potential devastation. I found it interesting how the author portrayed two very different character sets and how they dealt with an impending natural disaster. It reminded me of recent times in my area, where natives such as myself prepare and understand the magnitude of hurricanes, and others who are recently relocated to the area may not understand that magnitude as much.

I appreciated the intermitted love story, and that it wasn't blatant or overdone. That as tragedy struck and recover began, another story of a past and potential future emerged. It left the end of the book in a very good place for me, and if I'm being honest, I wouldn't mind the story continuing more into the recovery phase of the disaster, and expanding on the started relationships.

When you decide to read this book, know that the "southern" language of some characters may take some getting used to, but once you got it, the rest of the book goes smoothly. In fact, it gets to the point that you don't want to put it down (or at least it did for me).

Full Disclosure: I personally know this author. He gifted me his three books and I have had them for several years. I am an author myself assured him that I would be honest in my review. I look forward to passing my book on to family members who enjoy reading and to seeing what they think about this adventure that those of us on the gulf coast can relate to all too well.

Kelly M. Hackman

[Keith Gerlach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes place in my town. This is a good take on "The Big One" hurricane that we will get someday.