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Wreckage

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“As I watch the wake of the boat melt into the rolling waves, I feel I’m watching my entire past slip away behind me. Only the present remains. The terrible, poisoned present…”

***NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS*** A previous version of this novel was published as Fishermen’s Court (Black Rose Writing, 2019). It has been substantively edited and revised for this publication.

I’m a second-rate artist living a solitary existence in my late parents’ rundown house. So why would a team of killers want to murder me and frame it as a suicide? Seems a fact worth knowing.

I survive the ordeal only to discover my would-be executioners left behind a suicide note written in words that sound uncannily like mine. But that’s not the most disturbing part. The note reveals a secret from my past nobody could possibly know about—one that’s been haunting my life for eighteen years.

I escape to Musqasset Island, Maine, my former home, to seek refuge with my best friend Miles (and okay, maybe to see if my old flame still carries an ember for me). But a powerful coastal storm is about to strike. And no sooner does the ferry dock than I realize I’m trapped on the island with the very psychos I’m running from—and with old debts that need to be paid. In O negative.

My only hope for survival, and redemption, is to figure out who’s trying to kill me and why they’ve waited eighteen years to act—no easy task in a raging nor’easter, where nothing is on solid ground. Including my own mind.

But there’s one thing my attackers don’t know. When they failed to kill me, they brought me back to life.

“That rarest of beasts, a thriller that genuinely thrills.”

– William Lashner, NY Times Bestselling thriller author

471 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2024

546 people are currently reading
4195 people want to read

About the author

J.D. Pratt

9 books35 followers

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5 stars
509 (59%)
4 stars
225 (26%)
3 stars
91 (10%)
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25 (2%)
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9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,927 reviews13.1k followers
September 6, 2024
Long a fan of Scott Pratt, I was eager to read some of his son’s work. J.D. Pratt collaborates with Andrew Wolfendon, yielding a highly interesting piece that keeps the thriller genre alive and well, while pulling on a mystery that seeks resolution. The authors present Finnian Carroll, a man who appears to be quite normal in his appearance and drab in his personality. However, when he is attacked and left to die by a fake suicide, Finnian tries to piece together the truth. One the truth is revealed to him about his past, Finnian must stifle what actually happened while unravelling what this mysterious person has on him and neutralise it before it causes him added issues. Racing around New England, Carroll comes to terms with his past and a ruthless individual seeking to smear him while causing a great deal of carnage. Pratt and Wolfendon do well to keep the reader’s attention with this piece.

Finnian Carroll is your typical struggling artists who has been forced back to living in his childhood home. His parents are dead, leaving him alone to suffer. When someone breaks into his home and forces him to ingest hundreds of his own medication, washing it done with cheap vodka, he is sure it is his end. Hearing that a false suicide note is being put on his computer, Carroll is sure the frame-up will sully his name and cause those around him to think differently. When he miraculously survives the attack and is released from hospital, Carroll makes it his goal to learn what the attack was all about how how to stop those who targeted him.

When Finnian is able to recover a copy of the suicide note and he reads it, chills go up his spine. It refers to an event eighteen years earlier that no one could know about, as it was never documented and connected to him. Sitting on this could be costly, leaving Finnian no choice but to travel back to Musqasset Island, where his best friend from years past, Miles, may be able to help him piece it all together.

When he arrives, Miles greets Finnian with some skepticism, which is only deepened when discussion about the events on their graduation night all those years ago. Both remember the night, hazily, though when Finnian explains that their actions led four people to lose their lives, the chills return. While trying to piece it together, Finnian receives a few clues and warnings, all of which causes him concern that he is being targeted once more. Miles is soon in the crosshairs as well, which worries many and keeps Finnian on his toes. When others from that time disappear, Finnian and Miles are sure that someone is out to do more than air their dirty laundry. How far will someone go to reveal a crime long buried and what can be done to stop the truth come coming out and creating added wreckage? Pratt and Wolfendon deliver a great piece of thriller magic that is sure to keep the reader hooked.

This is a great story, based on solid narrative writing. That a collaborative duo can meld their ideas and craft the great narrative is even more impressive. Pratt and Wolfendon do well to pace things out as they deliver a strong story that relies on a decent foundation. The action builds as the story develops, peppering in some action and humour along the way. The reader discovers things in each chapter that will dazzle and impress them, as the story’s momentum increases along the way. Characters fit in to the story with ease, adding their own perspectives throughout. From Finnian’s panicked life as he tries to find the truth, through to the struggles of many others trying to support and untangle things of their own, many who grace the pages of the book prove quite engaging. The plot was realistic and yet entertaining for those who are open-minded and eager for some action. I liked the numerous surprises left for me to decipher as the truth made itself known. I am eager to see more collaborative efforts by Wolfendon and Pratt, as they have a knack for getting to the core of things with ease.

Kudos, Messrs. Pratt and Wolfendon, for a strong thriller.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
362 reviews40 followers
November 3, 2024
****I won a free copy of this e-book from a Goodreads Giveaway!!****

So, I give this a 3.5 and rounded down because, while I really did like the opening sequence to this, there were a lot of parts that seemed to drag on, things that seemed a bit unnecessary and, while they kind of make sense and add to later parts, I don't know, it just seemed like it wasn't handled as well as it could've been. BUT, I mean, a guy who seems to have absolutely nothing going for him is suddenly the target of a seemingly professional hit? Seriously? Either someone made a REALLY big mistake or this guy's just not all he seems to be. Turns out it's a bit of both....

My main issue with this book is that a lot of this is either 'Oh, you don't remember this?' or 'Oh you didn't know that....' and it just seemed to keep happening. Like, a lot. So, it was kind of frustrating. And, while I didn't initially guess the right person for the whodunit (I read these to try to figure them out), I thought it should've been more obvious to the main character just what could've been happening. I mean, this guy's got serious denial about A LOT of things and when he's talking to his friend about the issues in their friendship, gotta say, Miles makes some good points about Finn's character.

So, while this was pretty good, it wasn't great. If you enjoy trying to figure out whodunits, you should enjoy this.
Profile Image for Donna Mallery.
958 reviews90 followers
January 16, 2025
This is my first book by J.D. Pratt which is apparently a moniker for carrying on the Scott Pratt legacy. There is also a co-author so it would be nice to know who wrote the majority of this book. The writing style and grammar were excellent. The plot is engrossing, and there are events at every corner to keep the pace rolling. It is ultimately about the privileged against the common guy. How well do you know your friends is interspersed with a death plot. I really enjoyed this book!
Profile Image for Jen.
60 reviews
February 28, 2025
I think I would give this one 3.5/3.75 stars. Better than a 3 but not quite 4. The premise of the book was good, the story kept me guessing the whole time who the bad guy was and I was wrong a few times. There felt like there were some parts the could have been omitted as I felt they didn't add much to the story.
4 reviews
October 4, 2024
sooo good!!!

Really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. Can’t wait to read more of his work. Yall hop on the island and enjoy!
232 reviews4 followers
September 20, 2024
Twists and Turns Galore

A really interesting, exciting introspective psychological thriller with suprises at every turn. Great characters and storyline, I wouldn't mind seeing more of the Finnian Carroll story!
9 reviews
September 15, 2024
I enjoyed reading this story. Finn, the main character, is very likable with a great sense of humor and a strong moral compass, even to the point of protecting his friends from their own mistakes. The story captures friendships, loyalty, love, blind ambition for the sake of money, betrayal and forgiveness. A very readable style makes this book a fun read. I loved it.
60 reviews
October 30, 2024
I feel wrecked

This novel is billed as a “psychological thriller.” This reader felt the book fell woefully short as a thriller. By contrast, the Thomas Harris novels and certain of the Stephen King books clearly produce the kind of psychological tension that marks them as “thrillers;”Wreckage just doesn’t reach the mark. Indeed, if anything I found the story convoluted, lacking suspense, and for the most part, predictable. The bad guys lose, and the good guys live happily ever after…
7 reviews
October 9, 2024
BORING!

IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT STAYS WITH A DRUNK GUY ALMOST GETTING KILLED BUT AS THE STORY CONTINUES IT GETS TIRESOME. SO MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH HIMSELF (FINN). I EXPECTED THE TO BE A DEEPER MORE SINISTER REASON FOR ALL THE CHAOS BUT IT WAS MERELY ABOUT A POOR GUY AND A RICH GUY WHO BOTH MADE MISTAKES.
Profile Image for roy  douglas lynch.
231 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2025
robuster

First , the hook is outstanding , second , the plot twists were damn near great . I could not keep up with the author and where the story was leading. This is excellent work . Well beyond what I had thought it would be.

The story starts with a BANG. The protagonist is being helped to kill himself and he has no reason as to why. Down on his luck, depressed as hell with a recently dead mother and a sister who’s an alcoholic. He has a dead end job with no romantic interest whatsoever.
So who wants to end his life and why? It’s a great hook.
Then the story shifts gears to his early years when he had almost been someone with a good life and future , with a girlfriend and good friends.
It all ended with a 100 dollar bottle of scotch.

This is well worth the time , money and effort to enjoy this book. I highly recommend reading it.
Profile Image for Deana Myers.
81 reviews
May 6, 2025
The sarcastic, comedic, descriptive way Finnian Carroll narrates his own story sucked me in right away.

After 18 silent years, Finn’s past comes back to haunt him. Who? How? Why? Why now? These questions keep playing on loop in his mind. It was 1 night! 1 night involving a (fatal) lapse of judgment. 1 night only he and his BFF, Miles, know about. Or so he thought…….

My suspicions were in HIGH alert with every character that I met.

A lot of cheering. A lot of jeering. A few head snap WTF moments. UGH I can’t stand it!

BFFs. A bottle of scotch. A night forgotten. An axe to grind. This cat and mouse game keeps the reader on edge just enough of wanting more and wanting it right now

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
50 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2024
Two words: READ THIS! An excellent book that continues the legacy of Scott Pratt, whom we lost in 2018. I was a big fan and now his family has picked up the mantle and is truly cranking out 5 star books that would make their Dad proud. The pace is great, the violence is surprisingly minimal, but it doesn't need it to pack a punch. Even better, the protagonist, Finn is a highly likeable "guy next door" who you can't help but stay with and root for the entire novel. It is rare for me to describe a book as "unputdownable", but this one is.
Profile Image for Tammy.
53 reviews
November 23, 2024
Well done

I enjoyed this novel and will look forward to more from J.D. It's well written and the characters are colorful and well thought out. The plot is captivating, heart stopping at times, and gives you a healthy dose of reality. You find yourself rooting for the underdog throughout the story and hating others who seek to make him less than what he really is. A screwed up family vs a rich, powerful family of entitled jerks makes for a good mix of intrigue and evil plots on the high seas.
94 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2026
WONDERFUL STORY!!!

Everyone needs to read this book. There is so much heart in this book and so much happiness to be found and so much forgiveness to give, and it’s time to put away the past and grudges you held and just move forward with the love of your life.! absolutely wonderful story I couldn’t wait to get to the end and I’m so glad it ended good you will love it. It’s exciting funny and just very well written.. I absolutely can’t wait to read more of his books. This one is a sure winner.!
Profile Image for Saph.
2 reviews
January 27, 2025
Main character's only personality trait aside from being lonely is pining for his college sweetheart from 17 years ago. Describes the teenage daughter of his friend as a leggy foal and the son as "he waved." The most interesting thing about him is he's being hunted. If you like reading about garbage people being put into weird situations then this is the book for you. It's written really well, main character is just a pos, albeit, a funny one. Interesting read.
12 reviews
Read
September 14, 2024
This book is one of the best that I have read in some time. I enjoyed it very much and it kept my interest at a high point. J.D. Pratt has the same if not more talent for writing than his Dad. I have read all of Scott Pratt's books and enjoyed them. This book is special and I like the humor thrown in.
2 reviews
December 22, 2024
Fast Paced Action From The Beginning

The action starts early in Wreckage and doesn't stop till the end. I was never bored while reading this story. Finn is a hoot, and I found myself repeatedly in fear for his safety. I kept guessing who could be the guilty party only to have my suspicions repeatedly proven wrong.
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
2,005 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2025
Twisted. In All the Good Ways

Well this kept me entertained. The main character has a silly self-deprecating style that meant there was never a dull moment. As if that would happen anyway, since the plot progressed like a juggernaut through twists and turns I never saw coming. This was a fun and intriguing story with great narration.
124 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2026
I enjoyed the writing style of this book, felt like The plot is engrossing, and there are many interesting scenarios at every corner to keep the story rolling. Its about a privileged guy against the common guy. How well do you know your closest friends? This keeps one guessing and keeps your interest-which is good for a good book!
Thank you Phoenix Flying , LLC for this kindle edition.
Profile Image for Elaine Ballard.
147 reviews
September 8, 2024
What an amazing book! Yes, I am also a big Pratt fan. Had read everything he wrote. I feel like his son is carrying on his legacy in a big way. I absolutely could not put this book down! Loved every minute and can't wait for the next!
28 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2024
Surprising twists and turns will keep you on the edge of our seat!

often I don't like stories told in first person but I found I enjoyed hearing what Finn was thinking. I was glad to see him figure himself out and realize where he should go.
128 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2024
Worth the read

I admit it was slow going for me, and I almost stopped reading. However, I have so enjoyed previous books and the reviews were so good, so I didn't give up. Definitely enjoyed how the story played out, and it kept me guessing. Definitely recommend this book!
3 reviews
October 7, 2024
There are a lot of twists and turns, but the main character did a lot of things that just were not believable to me. If someone was trying to kill me, I would not leave myself in such a vulnerable place.
1 review
October 20, 2024
A smart well written thriller!

Twists and turns take center stage with this island story. Friendship, murder, love, and insanity are not what they seem to be and constantly kept me second guessing. One of my favorite reads!
65 reviews
November 2, 2024
Unexpected read

Could not put it down. Surprised by how thrilling it was, how it gained momentum, and as the reader, you did not know what was happening next. The setting in Maine was very real. The characterization was so well done. JD your father would be so very proud.
Profile Image for Hailey.
326 reviews
November 10, 2024
Great rainy day read

I had no idea what I was getting into but this book was fantastic. Every twist and turn had me right there wondering what the eff was coming next. Some cliches and tired story lines but still very entertaining.
Profile Image for taffykathiegmail.com.
590 reviews
January 6, 2025
Life is not all happy times.

A story that has many things to learn in lice. Claim your life as yours, no one else runs it. Keep your friends as friends, you are not their patsy so you are liked.
24 reviews
January 26, 2025
Man. What an enjoyable read!
It being an independently published book, I really hope it finds more love somehow, and maybe even becomes a series! -- I'd like to see what happens to all these characters in the future.
If this book pops up on your radar somehow, READ IT! You won't be disappointed.
12 reviews
March 10, 2025
Exceptional Read

I was hooked from the first few pages. Wolfendon's writing style is exceptional. The ups and downs will get you unbalanced and then he throws a hook! Read this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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