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Center Point
A list of names, an old map, and a drawing of a Native American warrior named These are the items professional student, Dennis Kozma, receives on his twenty-fifth birthday. They are gifts from his father, who died fifteen years earlier. Unfortunately, Dennis' memory is tainted by accusations that his father defrauded their town before his death.
The map leads Dennis to the graves of the men on the list... members of a secret society awaiting the return of Komaket. While unravelling the mystery of this society, Dennis discovers a shocking town officials covered up a dark secret and framed his father.
As he strives to clear his father's name, before the long-awaited arrival of Komaket changes his quiet New England town forever, Dennis comes to two startling and fateful realizations -- nothing is what is seems, and all clues lead to the...
Center Point.
The map leads Dennis to the graves of the men on the list... members of a secret society awaiting the return of Komaket. While unravelling the mystery of this society, Dennis discovers a shocking town officials covered up a dark secret and framed his father.
As he strives to clear his father's name, before the long-awaited arrival of Komaket changes his quiet New England town forever, Dennis comes to two startling and fateful realizations -- nothing is what is seems, and all clues lead to the...
Center Point.
312 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 22, 2013
R. M. Clark's debut adult novel, Center Point, is a charming mystery embroiled in history. Dennis Kozma is a charming young man, given a quest by his dead father to clear his name. Soon, it becomes apparent that there is more to the story than just his father's good name.
The secondary characters are both charming and diabolical. Dennis' stepfather, Stan, particularly, is a piece of work.
Clark's voice is wonderful and make the story a very fast read. If I had one complaint, it was that in areas there seemed to be a little too much Dennis telling us about things when the reader would rather be in the middle of the action.
This is a story not to be ignored though. Full of charm and wit, Dennis is a lovable character.
The secondary characters are both charming and diabolical. Dennis' stepfather, Stan, particularly, is a piece of work.
Clark's voice is wonderful and make the story a very fast read. If I had one complaint, it was that in areas there seemed to be a little too much Dennis telling us about things when the reader would rather be in the middle of the action.
This is a story not to be ignored though. Full of charm and wit, Dennis is a lovable character.
March 30, 2014
A Review of Center Point by R.M. Clark
Reviewed by Wennie Conedy
<3 <3 <3
An eBook was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dennis Kozma embarks on a mission of discovery. With a list of names, an old map and a drawing of an Indian warrior that he received from his late father on his 25th birthday, Kozma has no clue on what he is looking for. All he knows is that if his left him these clues, he needs to figure out what they may lead him to. Plus, he may just find the information that may clear his father’s reputation that was tainted by accusations fraud before his death. He uncovers a conspiracy involving the town officials, an old legend, a prominent family, a symbol and a secret club. Will he be able to pull all the clues together to solve the mystery?
This book promised mystery and suspense. R.M. Clark weaved his plot points through explorations in cemeteries, museums, and paper trails. He successfully dangled enticements like the mysterious drawing and unexplained symbol.
I was intrigued at how all map, the legends, the symbol and the cemeteries would help expose the truth about his father. Kozma’s relationship with his friends and his mother are relatable. What I could not relate to was his adverse position to graduating from college.
When I get involved and immersed in a story, I devour the book in a day or two. I had difficulty in getting immersed in the book, and it several days passed before I finished. The story has elements that could be classified as titillating, but I felt that tying the essential plot points took long, and consequently it didn't hold my attention.
As a reader, I want to engage with the story and the characters. Although R.M. Clark portrayed the different character traits clearly, unfortunately, I didn't feel any attachment or empathy with them. If R.M. Clark set out to keep his readers in the dark on the mystery and its solution, he was successful with that. I didn't see where the story would end up, and the resolution of the mystery surprised me.
Reviewed by Wennie Conedy
<3 <3 <3
An eBook was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dennis Kozma embarks on a mission of discovery. With a list of names, an old map and a drawing of an Indian warrior that he received from his late father on his 25th birthday, Kozma has no clue on what he is looking for. All he knows is that if his left him these clues, he needs to figure out what they may lead him to. Plus, he may just find the information that may clear his father’s reputation that was tainted by accusations fraud before his death. He uncovers a conspiracy involving the town officials, an old legend, a prominent family, a symbol and a secret club. Will he be able to pull all the clues together to solve the mystery?
This book promised mystery and suspense. R.M. Clark weaved his plot points through explorations in cemeteries, museums, and paper trails. He successfully dangled enticements like the mysterious drawing and unexplained symbol.
I was intrigued at how all map, the legends, the symbol and the cemeteries would help expose the truth about his father. Kozma’s relationship with his friends and his mother are relatable. What I could not relate to was his adverse position to graduating from college.
When I get involved and immersed in a story, I devour the book in a day or two. I had difficulty in getting immersed in the book, and it several days passed before I finished. The story has elements that could be classified as titillating, but I felt that tying the essential plot points took long, and consequently it didn't hold my attention.
As a reader, I want to engage with the story and the characters. Although R.M. Clark portrayed the different character traits clearly, unfortunately, I didn't feel any attachment or empathy with them. If R.M. Clark set out to keep his readers in the dark on the mystery and its solution, he was successful with that. I didn't see where the story would end up, and the resolution of the mystery surprised me.
May 14, 2015
I am very happy to have been given a chance to read Center Point by R.M. Clark! I love National Treasure and Indiana Jones and stories searching to uncover historical mysteries. Center Point was different than the typical quest for truth. The main character, Dennis, is a slacker/professional student who, on his 25th birthday, is given a mysterious package from his late father containing a list of names, along with drawings of Native American artifacts and a portrait of a legendary local warrior who supposedly lived in the New England town hundreds of years earlier.
He quickly realizes that his father was framed for embezzlement before his death. Somehow the Native American ledgend is linked to this, and he wants to clear his father's name as much as he wants to solve this mystery. Dennis' research, with the help of locals in town, uncovers strange happenings during the Revolutionary War as well as so more recent events.
The mystery involved in Center Point was complex enough to hold my attention while nowhere near the Da Vinci Code. The clues were well explained, which I appreciated, even if some parts of the book was predictable. All the characters in this story were well developed, even the secondary characters. I felt like I knew Dennis, his two buds Tom and Jed, and his mother and step-father. Even more minor characters, like Dennis' love interest, were believable.
The ending took me by surprise. I found it a little anticlimactic after the build up, however. Dennis didn't show much interest in some of the clues, and in a way was forced into this investigation. While I understand this went with his slacker character, it annoyed me at times. I didn't really get hooked in this story until halfway through when everything started heating up. The pacing at the beginning of the book lags some.
Still, this was a very good read with mystery, history and even a bit of magic. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes these types of stories.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
He quickly realizes that his father was framed for embezzlement before his death. Somehow the Native American ledgend is linked to this, and he wants to clear his father's name as much as he wants to solve this mystery. Dennis' research, with the help of locals in town, uncovers strange happenings during the Revolutionary War as well as so more recent events.
The mystery involved in Center Point was complex enough to hold my attention while nowhere near the Da Vinci Code. The clues were well explained, which I appreciated, even if some parts of the book was predictable. All the characters in this story were well developed, even the secondary characters. I felt like I knew Dennis, his two buds Tom and Jed, and his mother and step-father. Even more minor characters, like Dennis' love interest, were believable.
The ending took me by surprise. I found it a little anticlimactic after the build up, however. Dennis didn't show much interest in some of the clues, and in a way was forced into this investigation. While I understand this went with his slacker character, it annoyed me at times. I didn't really get hooked in this story until halfway through when everything started heating up. The pacing at the beginning of the book lags some.
Still, this was a very good read with mystery, history and even a bit of magic. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes these types of stories.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2014
Full book review on my blog.
Center Point is the debut ‘grown up’ novel of the author R. M. Clark. I was given an eBook copy by the author with the request to read and review. I do love adventure novels, so I took it with me on my holidays abroad to read.
The story evolves around Dennis Kozma, who is basically wasting his time, life and his father’s money on college education, not really knowing what to do with his life and not really comes, he gets a visit from one of his dad’s friends, who gives him a gift coming from his deceased father and promptly tells him the funds for his education is now cut off.
He has at most another semester at the college, after which he has to graduate and do something worthwhile with his life. Like figure out what is that package with a list of names, and old map and some Native American drawings that his dad left him and why.
His dad was once a city official years ago until he had to retire in shame due to some shady issues of which he was accused of. Soon he passed away and now it’s up to Dennis to not only figure out the mystery behind the package he got, but also clear the name of his dad in the process.
Soon Dennis realizes that figuring out what happened in the past, why people are looking away when one mentions the name Komaket and why some weird things start to really make sense on the map he was given will also clear his father’s name of any wrongdoings once he gets to the bottom of it all.
Overall it was a great book that I found interestingly enough to keep me reading to the last page. While at the moment it seems that Center Point is a standalone novel, I hope at some point the author will write a follow-up, turning it into an adventure series.
Center Point is the debut ‘grown up’ novel of the author R. M. Clark. I was given an eBook copy by the author with the request to read and review. I do love adventure novels, so I took it with me on my holidays abroad to read.
The story evolves around Dennis Kozma, who is basically wasting his time, life and his father’s money on college education, not really knowing what to do with his life and not really comes, he gets a visit from one of his dad’s friends, who gives him a gift coming from his deceased father and promptly tells him the funds for his education is now cut off.
He has at most another semester at the college, after which he has to graduate and do something worthwhile with his life. Like figure out what is that package with a list of names, and old map and some Native American drawings that his dad left him and why.
His dad was once a city official years ago until he had to retire in shame due to some shady issues of which he was accused of. Soon he passed away and now it’s up to Dennis to not only figure out the mystery behind the package he got, but also clear the name of his dad in the process.
Soon Dennis realizes that figuring out what happened in the past, why people are looking away when one mentions the name Komaket and why some weird things start to really make sense on the map he was given will also clear his father’s name of any wrongdoings once he gets to the bottom of it all.
Overall it was a great book that I found interestingly enough to keep me reading to the last page. While at the moment it seems that Center Point is a standalone novel, I hope at some point the author will write a follow-up, turning it into an adventure series.
August 9, 2015
Dennis (Koz) Kozma was celebrating his 25th birthday at O’Reardon’s sports bar with his two best friends, Jed and Tom. Gene Clausen introduced himself as Norm Kozma’s attorney. Norm was Dennis’ father who had passed away fifteen years prior. Clausen had been instructed to present a package to Dennis on this 25th birthday. The package contained an old map of the town with cemetery plots shaded in; a charcoal drawing of Native American Komaket; drawings of a necklace and staff; and a photocopy of old planning and zoning docs. One of the documents was incomplete. Koz’ mother and his Uncle Russell held the other two. Several months before Norm became ill, he had been forced to resign in disgrace as the town’s Tax Assessor. As Dennis began to piece clues together, he realized he may be able to clear his father’s name and solve a historical enigma at the same time. Unfortunately, Dennis had become known as someone, like his dad, who had trouble completing anything. Will he get this mystery solved – and will it be solved in time?
At the beginning, I had trouble ‘liking’ Dennis. He was immature and had a smart mouth. However, as the story moves along, we can see Dennis’ attitudes change. He begins to ‘grow up’ and focus on what his dad wanted and needed. The characters were very vivid with real life issues. I was somewhat confused when ‘master numbers’ – numbers with double digits like 11 and 22 – were supposed to represent something. Ultimately, I didn’t see the connection. The entire story was intriguing to me; the pace became faster within the last third of the novel. There was a bit of mysticism and magic and I enjoyed every minute of it. I rated Center Point at 4 out of 5.
Book Trailer at: http://www.fictionzeal.com/center-poi...
At the beginning, I had trouble ‘liking’ Dennis. He was immature and had a smart mouth. However, as the story moves along, we can see Dennis’ attitudes change. He begins to ‘grow up’ and focus on what his dad wanted and needed. The characters were very vivid with real life issues. I was somewhat confused when ‘master numbers’ – numbers with double digits like 11 and 22 – were supposed to represent something. Ultimately, I didn’t see the connection. The entire story was intriguing to me; the pace became faster within the last third of the novel. There was a bit of mysticism and magic and I enjoyed every minute of it. I rated Center Point at 4 out of 5.
Book Trailer at: http://www.fictionzeal.com/center-poi...
July 25, 2014
4.5 stars
Even though he’s been dead for fifteen years, Dennis Kozma’s father comes back into his life in the form of some papers he’s left for his son to open on his twenty-fifth birthday. Along with his best friends, Tom and Jed, and his Uncle Russell, Dennis sets out to uncover the mystery of the Native American legend, Komaket, and to clear his father’s name of embezzlement charges.
It was intriguing to follow the mystery from Dennis’ point of view, how the clues were worked through, where they lead and the discoveries made along the way. The ever evolving drawing was especially compelling and curious. Legends and folklore are fascinating topics and although the ones mentioned in the story are fictional they are written in such a way as to have an authentic feel, tying in with the history of the town and it’s founding fathers.
The conspiracy and lore Dennis uncovers lead him ever deeper into the complexity of the mystery. What is it that links his father to a Native American legend and a battle from the Revolutionary war? Strange things start to make sense and as the threads of the puzzle are woven together an underlying darkness threatens. The conclusion is unexpected and dramatic, thank goodness for Uncle Russell….and Komaket. I’m sorry Melody and Dr Overmann didn’t get their comeuppance though.
I like that it was also a journey of discovery for Dennis, giving him the incentive he needs to kick-start his own life. He’s an engaging character but, at twenty-five, one that needs to grow up. He’s coasted along as a student and now needs to become part of the real world.
A very enjoyable read.
Even though he’s been dead for fifteen years, Dennis Kozma’s father comes back into his life in the form of some papers he’s left for his son to open on his twenty-fifth birthday. Along with his best friends, Tom and Jed, and his Uncle Russell, Dennis sets out to uncover the mystery of the Native American legend, Komaket, and to clear his father’s name of embezzlement charges.
It was intriguing to follow the mystery from Dennis’ point of view, how the clues were worked through, where they lead and the discoveries made along the way. The ever evolving drawing was especially compelling and curious. Legends and folklore are fascinating topics and although the ones mentioned in the story are fictional they are written in such a way as to have an authentic feel, tying in with the history of the town and it’s founding fathers.
The conspiracy and lore Dennis uncovers lead him ever deeper into the complexity of the mystery. What is it that links his father to a Native American legend and a battle from the Revolutionary war? Strange things start to make sense and as the threads of the puzzle are woven together an underlying darkness threatens. The conclusion is unexpected and dramatic, thank goodness for Uncle Russell….and Komaket. I’m sorry Melody and Dr Overmann didn’t get their comeuppance though.
I like that it was also a journey of discovery for Dennis, giving him the incentive he needs to kick-start his own life. He’s an engaging character but, at twenty-five, one that needs to grow up. He’s coasted along as a student and now needs to become part of the real world.
A very enjoyable read.
July 6, 2014
The writing for this book was really well done. It was easy to follow the story and there weren't a bunch of stumbling points. If you didn't understand something than it was likely to be explained. The only thing that bothered me in the book is how the drawing filled itself in and then disappeared. I sort of think I understand the explanation but still it was slightly confusing to me.
However Dennis was a great character. The "professional student" he seems almost afraid to finish his education and thus have to enter the real world(anyone else know that feeling? *raises hand*). But he was dealing with the hand he was dealt and he was actually dealing really well with the situations that arose. Dennis was a character that readers can get behind and enjoy.
I especially enjoyed the mystery of the whole thing. Dennis' dad was a smart guy really to set all this up and know that his son would find both answers. And there were also characters that you had to sort of try and find out whether they were who they said they were and if they could be trusted. It was a fun ride, one that I couldn't really guess any of the major discoveries.
Center Point was a great read for those interested in mysteries. The characters and book itself was well written and it gives the reader plenty of information so they can work on their own sleuthing skills.
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
However Dennis was a great character. The "professional student" he seems almost afraid to finish his education and thus have to enter the real world(anyone else know that feeling? *raises hand*). But he was dealing with the hand he was dealt and he was actually dealing really well with the situations that arose. Dennis was a character that readers can get behind and enjoy.
I especially enjoyed the mystery of the whole thing. Dennis' dad was a smart guy really to set all this up and know that his son would find both answers. And there were also characters that you had to sort of try and find out whether they were who they said they were and if they could be trusted. It was a fun ride, one that I couldn't really guess any of the major discoveries.
Center Point was a great read for those interested in mysteries. The characters and book itself was well written and it gives the reader plenty of information so they can work on their own sleuthing skills.
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
July 31, 2014
I had no idea what I was expecting from this book (maybe a National Treasure sort of vibe) but the book ended up being more of a Wicker Man type of book. Holy plot twists, Batman. I am so glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a really good read. When I reached the second half of the book... I could not put it down. At all.
The main character is trying to put together a crazy puzzle (names, a map, and a portrait of a Native American warrior) his father gave to him on his 25th birthday (15 years after his father passed). That’s a cool plot. But I found myself putting it down. However, I was intrigued by other reviewers from Goodreads as they kept referring to Center Point as a suspenseful novel. I was not finding that in the beginning, but I’m really glad I stuck with it. I understand that the first half was setting the ambiance for the rest of the book but I felt it could have gone a little faster. Center Point is Clark's debut adult novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.
The main character is trying to put together a crazy puzzle (names, a map, and a portrait of a Native American warrior) his father gave to him on his 25th birthday (15 years after his father passed). That’s a cool plot. But I found myself putting it down. However, I was intrigued by other reviewers from Goodreads as they kept referring to Center Point as a suspenseful novel. I was not finding that in the beginning, but I’m really glad I stuck with it. I understand that the first half was setting the ambiance for the rest of the book but I felt it could have gone a little faster. Center Point is Clark's debut adult novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 6, 2013
Gripping, fast-paced thriller for fans of National Treasure or the Raven Boys. Professional student Dennis is thrown into a family mystery at his 25th birthday, when his efforts to clear his father's name uncover a dark conspiracy beneath the surface of his picturesque New England hometown. Center Point will appeal to adult, teen, and new adult readers.
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