The Footnotes

by Ray Stickle

There was the thin man up the beach walking with a noticeable limp, pinched eyeglasses perched on his nose, a pair of white slacks and a billowing white shirt, his Korean face further hidden by a low-worn white sun hat. Galden had been following the man for more than a week. An easy job for a beach bum.

But a trip to South Korea soon changes things. Because the thin man on the beach has a history steeped in the shadows of the country he served, the country he fled: North Korea. Galden soon finds himself involved with a sociopathic gangster hell-bent on uncertain ends, an ex-military elite on a mission of vengeance spurred on by his traumatized wife, a beautiful woman who hides her identity behind a slowly crumbling façade, and, perhaps most threatening of all, his own alcohol-addled conscience’s attempt to grapple with hard decisions. How Galden navigates the kidnappings, explosions, and betrayals will determine whether he has an impact on the outcome or becomes nothing more than just a footnote to the affair.

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2013

About the author

Ray Stickle is the author of The Footnotes, Ruin's Entrance, and The Unseen Death. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in history. He lived and taught in South Korea for four years, returning to his home in Ohio in 2006 to finish a master's degree. He currently lives in Georgia with his wife and sons.

Reviews

[Mike Bellus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story would make a great movie. The simultaneous plots occurring around the world made for suspense reminiscent of the kind seen in James Bond movies. A lot of moving pieces and players in the plot that eventually come together at the end of the story. Vivid details brought about by the author's style made me feel I was actually in these places. You're pretty much on the edge of your seat throughout. The characters and situations evoked much emotion and your constantly wondering how the plot is going to play out. In as much as this is fiction, the story nonetheless does justice in bringing awareness to real world humanitarian issues regarding north Korean atrocities involving the kidnapping of foreign citizens. To that end I firmly believe a movie is in order.

[Terry Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, a measure of a good a novel is the speed I read it. Some I never finish but Ray Stickle's "The Footnotes" broke all records. International locations for novels work well if the writer knows the country. The Korean setting here comes from someone who understands Korea on both sides of the DMZ. For me, this novel from a writer I'd never heard of, has it all - a unique style, a facinating setting, good dialogue, colour, action and suspense. A very good read.