Keeping Pepper

by Scott Brody

Beneath the weight of four long years in confinement, a story of liberation unfolds, igniting a whirlwind of love, fear, and even hope.

Ed and Stacey's departure from San Clemente at daybreak would prove to be much more than the start of a simple road trip.

The motorhome's tires kissed the asphalt of Orange County goodbye as they navigated towards the sprawling, glittery embrace of Las Vegas, and their friend Pepper.

That night, amidst the clinking of chips and shuffling of cards, Ed played at the $10 Blackjack table for hours, his thoughts swirling like the gin and tonic in his glass. His mind dances between the past and reconnecting with Pepper, a symphony of melancholy notes for the years gone by.

Their visit with Pepper the next day was supposed to be short. But his dementia had gotten much worse since being admitted, and Ed didn’t have the heart to leave him behind.

So Ed, Stacey, and Pepper embark on the next leg of their road trip together, to visit more old friends at Clear Lake near Santa Rosa.

At the reunion Pepper meets Sandy Martin, and sparks fly almost instantly, putting into motion a very different life than the hospital could offer him. Because facing the unknown together is better than being alone.

But when a local psychopath hears Pepper on a radio talk show and decides he wants Pepper to be his friend, things take a very dark turn.

Genres: Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2023

About the author

Scott Brody grew up in a political home in New York, where the older generations met and supported candidates and argued about politics.

In the 1960’s, a teenage Scott Brody learned from, and joined in the political and cultural ferment of the time. He marched against the war in Vietnam, listened to Jean Shepherd on WOR and to WBAI until all hours, read Ray Bradbury and Ramparts. The summer he graduated from high-school, he went to Woodstock.

After college, the author spent a few years in a political group similar to the one fictionally depicted in "The Org." Then, he got into broadcasting.

Scott Brody has a daughter and two sons and is the proud grandfather of a baby boy. He resides with his wife in Southern California.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so unexpected!!! We meet Mike, Mike Pepper. He has dementia and his wife, Elaine, placed him in a home. She doesn’t come to see him. However, he has two friends, Ed and Stacey who DO visit him. They hate seeing him in there and decide to break him out! There beings Pepper’s journey. With a gambling stop in Vegas, a road trip to a friends house, and a stint on a radio station, Pepper is living his best life! But someone heard him on the radio and became obsessed. He wants to make Pepper his friend. And that’s when things go very wrong.

This book was both suspenseful and beautiful at the same time. Brody really makes the reader think long and hard about those that have dementia and what it is like for them. Pepper seemed to be at his early stages of dementia, but he so eloquently described what it was like for him – how sometimes it felt like time travel in his own mind. Not only that, Brody makes the reader really think about what it is like in the homes that people put their loved ones into. While we are doing what we may think is best for them, they don’t necessarily feel the same. It’s so hard to hear that a loved on feels like a burden.

Then there is the suspense/thriller part of the book. Which went to a place that I didn’t see coming at all; I thought it was going to go in a completely different direction. I was so shocked by what was happening to Pepper, but really enjoyed reading about those that were in his life being so concerned with him. Even the radio talk show host was helping out.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Pepper was a good read about a famous anti-war speaker who is dealing with the progression of dementia and getting another chance at living, traveling, love and adventure before this cruel illness fully takes him over. After Ed & Stacey break him out of his own personal prison at the Lombard home, he gets to travel to send time with friends and even makes new ones. Unfortunately, he also has the misfortune of being involved with the local killer who has skirted police, living not far for years under the radar. The author did well with describing sceneries, places and the characters, even to what they were wearing at the time. His depictions of these characters and places were able to form a picture that you could see as you read.

This book was a smooth, easy read that takes you along for Pepper's journey and introduces you to new places, its local history and the people. Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, I did enjoy reading this book. I loved how it helped others have a glimpse into what it's like to go through such an illness, but also how others must cope and all the questions that can arise with how to proceed with someone going through such a trial when you know things are only going to get worse. I'm glad Pepper had such good friends willing to risk in order for him to enjoy life again.

[Pretty Peony Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about an older man named Pepper who lives in a nursing home. His friends come by and take him on a road trip without letting the nursing home know of it. Pepper has dementia but he’s still very capable. He enjoys spending time with all his friends and even got close to one of the women. He also enjoys listening to the radio and decides to call into the station one day using a fake name, so the police don’t locate him. One thing leads to another, and Pepper finds himself kidnapped by a caller who is obsessed with him. Everyone goes looking for him, including the police, but Pepper is a smart man and still has his strength, so he is able to get away from the kidnapper.

This was an enjoyable story. I liked how dementia played into Pepper’s character. I also liked how adventurous Pepper was. He still had a lot to live for even though he knew his situation. The friend group all getting along was welcoming. It was like they all wanted to relive old times. Things don’t always go as they used to at their age and I’m glad that a situation was thrown in to show that. The writing was beautiful and created a calm atmosphere. The mystery-thriller was a surprise. I wasn’t expecting that at all, but I liked it. That gave the story a bit of a twist and excitement.

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pepper is staring into the void, with the heavy battle of facing dementia. Ed and Stacey help him break free from confinement, allowing him to travel and experience love and adventure. However, Pepper also gets involved with a local killer. Which is wild all on its own. The author vividly describes everything they encounter, including places, people, and even down to their clothing. It really helps to pull you into the story and visualize it a lot more.

It's an easy, engaging read that takes you on Pepper's journey, introducing you to new places and people. While the ending felt a bit rushed, I appreciated the insight into dealing with dementia and the challenges it brings. Pepper's friends' willingness to help him enjoy life again is heartwarming.

[Rhawni Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Scott Brody did a great job of creating a story that kept me wanting to know more. It was a sweet read and I was happy with the ending. I will miss reading about all the mischief Pepper got himself into. I now need to read Scott’s first book the Org!!

[Shay B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the adventures of Pepper much more than I thought I would. See my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMMyu...