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The Kilgore Curse
At a chance encounter at his wife's gravesite, attorney Frank McNamara meets the survivors of a Latino family who claim that his great-grandfather stole their land and murdered their relatives to cover up the theft. He learns that in 1948, the Cortez and Kilgore families had co-existed peacefully in a Dallas neighborhood until a mysterious family feud erupted, resulting in the slaughter of six people. In this fast-paced, suspense thriller, he vows to make amends, but Frank will have to overcome avaricious real estate developers, mob hit men, and even the boss of his own law firm to accomplish the task. Can he see justice done and retain his integrity, without compromising his legal duties to uphold the law and preserve his clients secrets?
328 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2023
As a Dallas resident for the last 30 years this book was amazing. Storyline was captivating!
September 21, 2015
Frank McNamara is a lawyer in a big Dallas law firm. His career seems to be stymied and the one big real estate project he is assigned to is not progressing like his bosses want. He's been a widower for a little while and has allowed his in-laws to provide the stability and family environment for his teenage son at their home in suburban Plano.
Consequently, when he is spending time with his son, he wants it to be meaningful. This time they have gone to visit the family plot in an old cemetery in Dallas. They are a little surprised to see a small group of Hispanics at their family grave site. A bitter older man in the group is cursing in Spanish, kicking dirt clods onto the graves, and tops off the insulting behavior with very intentional spitting on the grave. The only word McNamara understands is the word Kilgore, his maternal grandmother's name.
That shocking behavior certainly does not fit the family history he has been told. As he visits with the younger woman at the grave site, he is made aware that the Cortez family believes the Kilgores cheated them out of land that is now part of downtown Dallas, and even killed family members to keep the story quiet.
McNamara sets out to get the real story on what happened between the two families a couple of generations earlier. It is unsettling to realize that the major project he is working on as part of his law firm responsibility involves this same property as well. There are a few people with a lot to lose if he digs too far, and before long his life is threatened and his job is in danger, not to mention his teenage son.
Lots of action, a lot of familiar Dallas restaurants, locations and environs make the story seem even more real to a Dallasite. There is a John Grisham flavor to the maverick lawyer protagonist and I enjoyed he characters and the twists of the plot as the story progressed.
The author used to be my doctor before he retired, and I've got to admit that makes reading the sex and violence parts just a little awkward...but the story is probably better because the author was a practicing doctor and lawyer before becoming a published author.
Consequently, when he is spending time with his son, he wants it to be meaningful. This time they have gone to visit the family plot in an old cemetery in Dallas. They are a little surprised to see a small group of Hispanics at their family grave site. A bitter older man in the group is cursing in Spanish, kicking dirt clods onto the graves, and tops off the insulting behavior with very intentional spitting on the grave. The only word McNamara understands is the word Kilgore, his maternal grandmother's name.
That shocking behavior certainly does not fit the family history he has been told. As he visits with the younger woman at the grave site, he is made aware that the Cortez family believes the Kilgores cheated them out of land that is now part of downtown Dallas, and even killed family members to keep the story quiet.
McNamara sets out to get the real story on what happened between the two families a couple of generations earlier. It is unsettling to realize that the major project he is working on as part of his law firm responsibility involves this same property as well. There are a few people with a lot to lose if he digs too far, and before long his life is threatened and his job is in danger, not to mention his teenage son.
Lots of action, a lot of familiar Dallas restaurants, locations and environs make the story seem even more real to a Dallasite. There is a John Grisham flavor to the maverick lawyer protagonist and I enjoyed he characters and the twists of the plot as the story progressed.
The author used to be my doctor before he retired, and I've got to admit that makes reading the sex and violence parts just a little awkward...but the story is probably better because the author was a practicing doctor and lawyer before becoming a published author.
November 6, 2014
Local Dallas author but ultimately the characters are flat and the plot both predictable and unrealistic. Random weird conservative ideology scattered throughout too (for example there is an aside where a successful black female character whom the protagonist is sexually attracted to rants about affirmative action for no reason whatsoever, and several NRA/pro gun arguments). Warning for violence and explicit sexual violence (which I do not feel the author handled in a realistic or very empathetic manner)
November 14, 2014
Basically a decent plot and well developed characters. But a very flat story- predictable and no surprises. Felt like the author needed to make sure readers know he is experienced as both a doctor and attorney. Last few pages were totally unnecessary and out of sync with rest of the book.
July 10, 2014
Great historical fiction of Dallas and great 1st novel by Dr Pivnick!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews