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From the Tales of Dan Coast #3
Coasts of Christmas Past
Dan Coast is all set to spend Christmas just the same way he has every year for the past few years; alone and drunk. But when uninvited, unexpected guests arrive and throw a wrench into his holiday plans he is forced to sober up (slightly), and throw on a smile. Just when it seems nothing else could go wrong, a close friend is injured in what appears, to the police, to be a drug deal gone bad. Dan Coast and his sidekick, Red jump into action to find the truth while their friend lays unconscious in the hospital.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2014
298 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 24, 2018
Wow! Not only do we get general mayhem, stakeouts, and shootings, but we get a mysterious 'surfer dude,' Coast's parents and more of a glimpse into Dan's past as well. All set against the backdrop of what is supposed to be a joyous holiday. Hah! Add enough tequila, seven, and lime to make most folks comatose, and you have the perfect recipe for a Dan Coast Christmas. A quick and fun read, and everything that we've come to expect from Rodney Riesel.
December 27, 2017
•audiobook• 4.50
While I am getting tired of alcoholic PIs and normally steer clear of all of the PI novels taking place in and around the beaches of Florida, I was in a Christmas-y mood and picked this up.
The third book in the series, it stood on its own and was pleasant enough of a good listen. The narrator, whom I had never listened to before, did a fabulous job and it’s disheartening a search shows he does not take on many projects.
The light, cozy?, mystery involved several very defining characters, who each were not fully fleshed out, yet had more ingredients than a gingerbread man cookie.
I really liked Dan Coast and his side kick, Red, brought humour and fun bickering. Dan’s parents were interesting enough, and I would love if they visited more often!
There was an inconsistency ( I think ) about the placement of his gun at one point. I thought he had given it to a neighbor during a domestic scuffle (small sub plot that was very humanistic) only to pull it out of his glove box, without any indication he had seen her to retrieve it.
I really liked Coasts of Christmas Past, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series; simply because the genre isn’t among my usual searches.
Overall, this book was definitely worth my time and I may pick up another audible from this author in the future.
While I am getting tired of alcoholic PIs and normally steer clear of all of the PI novels taking place in and around the beaches of Florida, I was in a Christmas-y mood and picked this up.
The third book in the series, it stood on its own and was pleasant enough of a good listen. The narrator, whom I had never listened to before, did a fabulous job and it’s disheartening a search shows he does not take on many projects.
The light, cozy?, mystery involved several very defining characters, who each were not fully fleshed out, yet had more ingredients than a gingerbread man cookie.
I really liked Dan Coast and his side kick, Red, brought humour and fun bickering. Dan’s parents were interesting enough, and I would love if they visited more often!
There was an inconsistency ( I think ) about the placement of his gun at one point. I thought he had given it to a neighbor during a domestic scuffle (small sub plot that was very humanistic) only to pull it out of his glove box, without any indication he had seen her to retrieve it.
I really liked Coasts of Christmas Past, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series; simply because the genre isn’t among my usual searches.
Overall, this book was definitely worth my time and I may pick up another audible from this author in the future.
July 11, 2023
Join Dan, a wannabe PI and a self-destructive widower, and his friends as they help out a friend in distress. While investigating a shooting, Dan and his posse uncover more mayhem and shenanigans. It's a fast-paced, entertaining read with great snappy and sharp-witted dialogue and banter. There are some excellent one-liners that made me "Ha!" out loud. The book features a diverse cast of likable characters, and then there's Skip, your classic, symbolic surfer dude who is very amusing.
The book also delves into Dan's emotional state, his pain, suffering, and grief. It is written in a very sympathetic and poignant manner. I'm not ashamed to admit that it brought a tear to my eye. Perhaps it's my age, or maybe it was just a bit of grit in my eye. Yes, that was it—a bit of grit. I'll go with that.
The book also delves into Dan's emotional state, his pain, suffering, and grief. It is written in a very sympathetic and poignant manner. I'm not ashamed to admit that it brought a tear to my eye. Perhaps it's my age, or maybe it was just a bit of grit in my eye. Yes, that was it—a bit of grit. I'll go with that.
January 5, 2021
Great characters, mystery and humor!
I've been binging on this series. Loving the characters and humor. This needs to be a TV series! We get a closer look into Dan in this book and were taken to a deep place emotionally, if all but for a few moments. I'm more curious to see what the next installment bring in terms of his development.
Needs some tightening up in the Edit department and it seems unlikely Edna would call Dan "Danny".
I've been binging on this series. Loving the characters and humor. This needs to be a TV series! We get a closer look into Dan in this book and were taken to a deep place emotionally, if all but for a few moments. I'm more curious to see what the next installment bring in terms of his development.
Needs some tightening up in the Edit department and it seems unlikely Edna would call Dan "Danny".
October 20, 2020
This is the typical story of the working alcoholic who is in denial about his grief and his drinking! I hope Mr. Riesel finds a way for Dan to resolve these issues because I think it would improve the character. He has many good traits and it is tiresome to always have to read through these bouts that interfere with the story line!
September 11, 2023
Good story but…
You need to check for typos. There are two around pages 200 and 201 (Kindle version). For example, it was “Skip’s gun”, not Skips gun. These typos one make seem suspect that there are more of them. All that said, I enjoy your characters; Dan, Red, Bev, etc…. Looking forward to the next one.
You need to check for typos. There are two around pages 200 and 201 (Kindle version). For example, it was “Skip’s gun”, not Skips gun. These typos one make seem suspect that there are more of them. All that said, I enjoy your characters; Dan, Red, Bev, etc…. Looking forward to the next one.
February 2, 2025
Sadnesx
Life has a way of giving you a swift kick and Dan has gotten a number of those Christmas is hard for those that are alone in their head the bad guys go to jail and you do your thing trying g to play it forward but alas it is to late...ciao from Bobbie and George puts vida...
Life has a way of giving you a swift kick and Dan has gotten a number of those Christmas is hard for those that are alone in their head the bad guys go to jail and you do your thing trying g to play it forward but alas it is to late...ciao from Bobbie and George puts vida...
October 19, 2017
Ok
This book was not quite the same as th others, in my opinion. It was a little darker and a little sadder. The humor seemed to be a little off key, as did the characters. I will read the next one but I hope the story returns to previous quality.
This book was not quite the same as th others, in my opinion. It was a little darker and a little sadder. The humor seemed to be a little off key, as did the characters. I will read the next one but I hope the story returns to previous quality.
December 6, 2020
Coast's of Christmas Past
Have enjoyed reading all of these book. Old Dan and his buddy Red just tickle me so. Have lots of laugh out loud moments but also worrisome parts and then there are the parts that cause me to tear up a little. Really, really loved this one.
Have enjoyed reading all of these book. Old Dan and his buddy Red just tickle me so. Have lots of laugh out loud moments but also worrisome parts and then there are the parts that cause me to tear up a little. Really, really loved this one.
January 19, 2022
Coasts of Christmas Past: A really good book.
This book by Rodney Riesel is full of humorous dialog. It is a fun read. It has characters that are almost like normal people except that some of them drink too much. It ifs a very entertaining book.
This book by Rodney Riesel is full of humorous dialog. It is a fun read. It has characters that are almost like normal people except that some of them drink too much. It ifs a very entertaining book.
August 16, 2022
ugh not exactly the upbeat ending I’d hoped for
A curious shooting; a large amount of illegal substances found; a missing business owner; and an unexpected visit from Dan’s parents rounds out Dan’s now-worst time of the year.
A curious shooting; a large amount of illegal substances found; a missing business owner; and an unexpected visit from Dan’s parents rounds out Dan’s now-worst time of the year.
September 16, 2023
Too little substance
Simplistic tale with plentiful description of environments but too little material related to the mystery/crime that is the book’s primary focus. A quick read with a few attempts at humor that do succeed.
Simplistic tale with plentiful description of environments but too little material related to the mystery/crime that is the book’s primary focus. A quick read with a few attempts at humor that do succeed.
May 26, 2020
That was a shitty ending Rodney Reisel. Damnit
October 17, 2020
Great
Great
Book would recommend to everyone this is crazy
Book stuff and would like it to end right now typically
Great
Book would recommend to everyone this is crazy
Book stuff and would like it to end right now typically
November 10, 2020
Good , fun read.
Funny and light hearted. Dan and Red chase the bad guys until the bad guys catch them. I needed a good laugh and this book delivered it.
Funny and light hearted. Dan and Red chase the bad guys until the bad guys catch them. I needed a good laugh and this book delivered it.
July 24, 2021
Mildly entertaining but not nearly as good as the other Dan Coast series. Seems like 3/4 of the book focused on drinking. Didn't need to spend that much time on that.
October 17, 2021
Pure excellence
The author spins an excellent story with believable characters and we'll written prose. The only thing preventing a 5 rating is the over done drinking!
The author spins an excellent story with believable characters and we'll written prose. The only thing preventing a 5 rating is the over done drinking!
September 2, 2023
Buddy
Poor buddy is looking for a happy life and Dan is not helping. Some good and some bad as life goes around at Christmas.. The ending sucks.
Poor buddy is looking for a happy life and Dan is not helping. Some good and some bad as life goes around at Christmas.. The ending sucks.
May 22, 2025
Enjoyable read!
I have read two of the Dan Coast series and find them as enjoyable as the previous one. Good work Rodney Riesel!
I have read two of the Dan Coast series and find them as enjoyable as the previous one. Good work Rodney Riesel!
December 27, 2017
•audiobook• 4.50
While I am getting tired of alcoholic PIs and normally steer clear of all of the PI novels taking place in and around the beaches of Florida, I was in a Christmas-y mood and picked this up.
The third book in the series, it stood on its own and was pleasant enough of a good listen. The narrator, whom I had never listened to before, did a fabulous job and it’s disheartening a search shows he does not take on many projects.
The light, cozy?, mystery involved several very defining characters, who each were not fully fleshed out, yet had more ingredients than a gingerbread man cookie.
I really liked Dan Coast and his side kick, Red, brought humour and fun bickering. Dan’s parents were interesting enough, and I would love if they visited more often!
There was an inconsistency ( I think ) about the placement of his gun at one point. I thought he had given it to a neighbor during a domestic scuffle (small sub plot that was very humanistic) only to pull it out of his glove box, without any indication he had seen her to retrieve it.
I really liked Coasts of Christmas Past, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series; simply because the genre isn’t among my usual searches.
Overall, this book was definitely worth my time and I may pick up another audible from this author in the future.
While I am getting tired of alcoholic PIs and normally steer clear of all of the PI novels taking place in and around the beaches of Florida, I was in a Christmas-y mood and picked this up.
The third book in the series, it stood on its own and was pleasant enough of a good listen. The narrator, whom I had never listened to before, did a fabulous job and it’s disheartening a search shows he does not take on many projects.
The light, cozy?, mystery involved several very defining characters, who each were not fully fleshed out, yet had more ingredients than a gingerbread man cookie.
I really liked Dan Coast and his side kick, Red, brought humour and fun bickering. Dan’s parents were interesting enough, and I would love if they visited more often!
There was an inconsistency ( I think ) about the placement of his gun at one point. I thought he had given it to a neighbor during a domestic scuffle (small sub plot that was very humanistic) only to pull it out of his glove box, without any indication he had seen her to retrieve it.
I really liked Coasts of Christmas Past, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series; simply because the genre isn’t among my usual searches.
Overall, this book was definitely worth my time and I may pick up another audible from this author in the future.
December 18, 2016
Another fun tale from the Dan Coast. This one starts off in a really bad place and make Dan a bit more unlikable but as the story goes on Dan once again redeems himself. If you’re a fan of others in the series you’ll like this one. Well written with a story that will transport you to the keys for the holidays ‘Coasts of Christmas Past’ is an interesting story for those who want to be in the tropics!
January 2, 2015
Good read
Good read
Very interesting will read more. Don'feelI should have to have18 words
This really Stupid! Now is there enough words?
Good read
Very interesting will read more. Don'feelI should have to have18 words
This really Stupid! Now is there enough words?
March 6, 2016
Coast's of Christmas past
Same group of characters and story line but with twists that solidified why Dan is the way he is. Not a lot of sleuthing involved but enjoyable.
Same group of characters and story line but with twists that solidified why Dan is the way he is. Not a lot of sleuthing involved but enjoyable.
November 15, 2016
I'm reading all the Dan Coast books and am having a ball. I don't write a lot of reviews but I highly recommend this series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews