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Chet #1
Whispers From the Past
30 years ago Charles Tucker lost everything that made life worth living. A brutal car accident killed his son. A short time later painful cancer took his wife.
The arrival of the Saunders family casts Charles’ life into turmoil, tearing open unhealed wounds. Without his help the Saunders’ financial troubles threaten to destroy them, but helping them risks destroying everything Charles spent a lifetime building.
Over all the turmoil looms Chet, the battered old ‘64 Chevy pickup that carried Charles’ son to his death. For 29 years Charles blamed the old pickup for his devastating losses, locking Chet away in an old barn.
The most intriguing mysteries refuse to stay locked up. Solving this one promises an enchanting adventure for the whole family.
The arrival of the Saunders family casts Charles’ life into turmoil, tearing open unhealed wounds. Without his help the Saunders’ financial troubles threaten to destroy them, but helping them risks destroying everything Charles spent a lifetime building.
Over all the turmoil looms Chet, the battered old ‘64 Chevy pickup that carried Charles’ son to his death. For 29 years Charles blamed the old pickup for his devastating losses, locking Chet away in an old barn.
The most intriguing mysteries refuse to stay locked up. Solving this one promises an enchanting adventure for the whole family.
523 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2014
1 person is currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Larry Murray
16 books3 followersBorn and raised in rural Idaho, Larry's childhood on the family farm was rich in work, as well as opportunities to explore the natural world. What was missing, was exposure to the broader world, lying somewhere beyond the fence line of the farm. All that changed as he learned to read on his own. Although farm life left little time for reading, stolen hours between chores, or when he was supposed to be asleep at night, were spent devouring every book he could get his hands on. If the author could describe it, Larry could imagine it, and together they traveled around the world, across the solar system, and on to the stars beyond.
Growing up in the midst of the space race and triumphant moon landing, Larry was drawn to the technical disciplines. He amassed decades of technical writing before embarking on his own adventure, writing his first novel. You can find out more about Larry and his current projects at LarryCMurray.com.
Growing up in the midst of the space race and triumphant moon landing, Larry was drawn to the technical disciplines. He amassed decades of technical writing before embarking on his own adventure, writing his first novel. You can find out more about Larry and his current projects at LarryCMurray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 10, 2015
Charles Tucker has chosen to live a solitary life on his Idaho dairy farm for the past 29 years. After losing his only child, Jason, in a deadly auto accident and his beloved wife, Emily, to cancer, Charles is content spending his days alone.
When Mark Saunders relocates from California and moves nearby with his struggling young family Charles is suddenly faced with making several unexpected and difficult decisions. Is he prepared to allow these people to break through the barriers he's worked so hard to build and maintain for so long? And, what about the old Chevy truck he's kept hidden away in the old barn? Does he have the willpower to restore the vehicle that was instrumental in ending his son's young life? Charles will soon find out that "Chet" mysteriously holds the answers to these questions and more.
Chet: Whispers from the Past is a heartfelt story of dealing with grief and moving forward. It's about opening one's heart and accepting that, although the past cannot be changed, it's never too late to change our attitudes and views on life. I've heard it said that the best way to forget our troubles is to help someone else with theirs. When Charles was ready to do this, he found the results were nothing short of miraculous.
Larry Murray is a wonderful writer. His attention to detail is impeccable. At this point, I just might be ready to restore a 1964 Chevy pickup myself. And, the detail related to running a dairy farm was flawless. This book is a little long, so be prepared. It's no quick and breezy read. David, the fourteen-year-old neighbor boy speaks more like a grown man than a teen, but not so over the top as to be unbelievable. Julie, the mom, is an absolutely lovely character. I found Charles to be a loveable curmudgeon and I quickly became fond of him as well.
Although this book makes mention of "Christian values" I would say it is definitely not preachy at all. It is, however, inspirational and uplifting. I would recommend Chet: Whispers from the Past to anyone who is looking for a charming book filled with wonderful characters and good old fashion values. I fully intend to read the entire Chet series!
When Mark Saunders relocates from California and moves nearby with his struggling young family Charles is suddenly faced with making several unexpected and difficult decisions. Is he prepared to allow these people to break through the barriers he's worked so hard to build and maintain for so long? And, what about the old Chevy truck he's kept hidden away in the old barn? Does he have the willpower to restore the vehicle that was instrumental in ending his son's young life? Charles will soon find out that "Chet" mysteriously holds the answers to these questions and more.
Chet: Whispers from the Past is a heartfelt story of dealing with grief and moving forward. It's about opening one's heart and accepting that, although the past cannot be changed, it's never too late to change our attitudes and views on life. I've heard it said that the best way to forget our troubles is to help someone else with theirs. When Charles was ready to do this, he found the results were nothing short of miraculous.
Larry Murray is a wonderful writer. His attention to detail is impeccable. At this point, I just might be ready to restore a 1964 Chevy pickup myself. And, the detail related to running a dairy farm was flawless. This book is a little long, so be prepared. It's no quick and breezy read. David, the fourteen-year-old neighbor boy speaks more like a grown man than a teen, but not so over the top as to be unbelievable. Julie, the mom, is an absolutely lovely character. I found Charles to be a loveable curmudgeon and I quickly became fond of him as well.
Although this book makes mention of "Christian values" I would say it is definitely not preachy at all. It is, however, inspirational and uplifting. I would recommend Chet: Whispers from the Past to anyone who is looking for a charming book filled with wonderful characters and good old fashion values. I fully intend to read the entire Chet series!
November 13, 2014
This turned out to be a surprising read.
The heart of this book is solid gold. I ended ready to read the next one, and feeling as if I'd just spent a couple of days with my grandpa. Double bonus? The book takes place where I grew up, and I didn't even know it when I got it.
My only struggle with this book was the insane amount of detail. Almost like a stream-of-consciousness. I ended up skimming quite a bit, but it was pretty easy to pick out important stuff. There's a lot of car restoration information here, and I have next to know interest/idea of any of that. Although there were definitely intriguing moments, like the magic of the truck itself. Even though I skimmed so much, I still was able to maintain the storyline and the magic of "Chet."
Despite a teenager that spoke just like a seventy-year-old, and all the unnecessary stuff (I liked the food descriptions actually, unlike another reader, because I love all the things food), it really was a heart-warming read. The characters were lovable, consistent, and I have learned more about a dairy farm than I ever thought possible.
I'm going to read the next book.
The heart of this book is solid gold. I ended ready to read the next one, and feeling as if I'd just spent a couple of days with my grandpa. Double bonus? The book takes place where I grew up, and I didn't even know it when I got it.
My only struggle with this book was the insane amount of detail. Almost like a stream-of-consciousness. I ended up skimming quite a bit, but it was pretty easy to pick out important stuff. There's a lot of car restoration information here, and I have next to know interest/idea of any of that. Although there were definitely intriguing moments, like the magic of the truck itself. Even though I skimmed so much, I still was able to maintain the storyline and the magic of "Chet."
Despite a teenager that spoke just like a seventy-year-old, and all the unnecessary stuff (I liked the food descriptions actually, unlike another reader, because I love all the things food), it really was a heart-warming read. The characters were lovable, consistent, and I have learned more about a dairy farm than I ever thought possible.
I'm going to read the next book.
July 27, 2014
When I won this book from Goodreads I figured it would be another western by Mr. Murray, but I was wrong! I loved it from the first page...life experiences and all! Can't wait for more about Chet, miracles and all of the memorable, realistic characters..... except for maybe Mark. Thank you Larry Murray.....another good read!
March 16, 2014
A compelling first time novel that not only touches the reader with tried and true values but instills a longing for down home living. The author paints a vivid picture of the journey to healing and a rebirth of purpose. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
January 15, 2015
This was a easy reading novel. The characters drag you and the plot kept you reading. I thank the author for writing a wonderful novel.
June 11, 2014
Wow I FINALLY finished this lengthy book!!
It was actually pretty interesting, though I'll admit, when I first opened it, I was kinda "ehh" about it.
There are definitely A LOT of details, which are sometimes useful, and sometimes just plain pointless. For instance, I don't really care what goes in every single sandwich they eat.
Also, some of the dialogue seemed very formal and awkward, especially from the kids in the book. I really don't think a 14 yr old from CA is gonna use vocab like that,& I don't think an 11 yr old is that childish either. It didn't seem quite realistic.Larry Murray
However, their were a lot of surprising turns and events that made the book quite enjoyable. It really grew on me, and I can hardly wait for the next book!
:D
It was actually pretty interesting, though I'll admit, when I first opened it, I was kinda "ehh" about it.
There are definitely A LOT of details, which are sometimes useful, and sometimes just plain pointless. For instance, I don't really care what goes in every single sandwich they eat.
Also, some of the dialogue seemed very formal and awkward, especially from the kids in the book. I really don't think a 14 yr old from CA is gonna use vocab like that,& I don't think an 11 yr old is that childish either. It didn't seem quite realistic.Larry Murray
However, their were a lot of surprising turns and events that made the book quite enjoyable. It really grew on me, and I can hardly wait for the next book!
:D
May 22, 2014
Chet Whisper from the Past----What a lovely story! I will read the next book, however, I do hope the author will consider abandoning the "I must include every detail" style of writing. Although much of the information the author includes is interesting and even useful, he should trust his readers can figure a few things out for themselves. ie page 254 describes delivery man and Charles giving the pen back and forth for the signing of a bill of laden? Is that necessary? Way too much information.
August 17, 2015
This book was heartwarming and magical. There were at times an excessive amount of details.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews