Check

by Michael Burton

Miles Norris, a retired computer salesman, has lost the will to live. Approaching 80 years of age, his wife taken by cancer, he has been banished from an assisted living center in Florida because of violent behavior. Now his only son, Scott, is moving him against his will to the Better Life Spa, an expensive, state-of-the-art Alzheimer’s center outside Washington, DC, that claims to be able to provide all the care the old man could ever need - or so they think. Scott is unaware that the Better Life also operates a parallel business, a secret one, unrelated to healthcare. However, also like Scott, they, too, the Better Life Spa, fail to appreciate that the old man that they have admitted to their facility, depressed and unresponsive, is much more than he appears.

When Miles awakens a violent game of human chess plays out. A rollercoaster of intrigue and revelations leads to one There can be no stalemate or surrender in this contest. It will only end with checkmate.

Audible Audio

Published May 20, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s weird how I ended up reading this totally obscure novel. Not sure if it was recommended to me by Amazon or Goodreads, but I’m supposing it has something to do with the fact that I love chess.

Anyway… of course I’m going to order an indie novel touted as a thriller involving chess - one in which a former CIA agent is checked into a supposed upscale assisted living facility by his family, only to find out that it exists for far more sinister purposes - thus:

”A violent game of human chess plays out. A roller coaster of intrigue and revelations leads to one truth: there can be no stalemate or surrender in this contest. It will only end in checkmate.”

Not sure why the book wasn’t named “checkmate” given the above description, but at any rate, “check” is a more suitable analogy for the story’s perpetual limbo.

People can check one another left and right and the game doesn’t end; furthermore, a threefold draw can be called if both players check one another the exact same way in six consecutive moves (three moves apiece).

So basically, the title either fits perfectly with the book if you enjoyed it, but is a bit ironic if you didn’t.

I understand that the author wrote this book for fun and that his main income derives from practicing medicine, so I’m willing to be a bit more lenient. Gotta admire the determination and dedication.

However, it really wasn’t all that suspenseful to me. I really loved the premise about an old man who appears to be senile and confused but is really a clever badass, going up against a company who appears to have good intentions but indeed does not. I really think it could have been extremely exciting with a lot of twists, but I came away rather disappointed.

It mostly just consisted of the former spy making observations about the facility and the staff and residents catching on that perhaps he may not be as harmless or as most as he appears. It uses a lot of chess analogies in reference to winning against an opponent (whether it’s the CIA or the “nursing home”) but none of them really stood out as clever to me.

A lot of build up for a rather tame showdown, with most of the sinister motives revealed long before the end. I just didn’t feel much heightened suspense at any time, nor were there any true twists/surprises, and no real explanation for motive. Check failed to deliver what it promised, therefore, I cannot recommend this book.

(I feel this way about a lot of self-published novels… without the backing of a major publishing house, the end result of a book will very rarely match what the author had in mind.)

[Marshunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Michael Burton’s first novel, and since I’ve known him since college I had to read it. The setting in a nursing home creates its own small community, waiting to be filled with hero’s and villains, victims and vulnerable patients. There are plenty of both. The main hero, Miles, is ex CIA, estranged from his family, recently widowed, and declining mentally and physically. Because he appears elderly and senile, he is underestimated, especially by the villains. There is a nice motif of chess woven through the plot, with other residents who play, a mystery player who moves the pieces on Miles’ board while he is out of his room, and strategy. Lots of strategy, observation, patience and preparation. The setting in a nursing home also highlights the vulnerability of elderly patients to the system they are trapped in. Abuse is hidden from family and friends. It’s a fun read and congratulations to Michael on his first novel.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Except for the chess angle, this book is pretty stock stuff. Father, because of his job, spends lots of time away from home thus neglecting his son who resents it. Father is now old and has apparent disabilities. Son doesn't know what to do with him, finally puts him in a home for alzheimer patients, but feels guilty about it despite still feeling neglected as a youth. Strange things are going on at the alzheimer home but father, who doesn't really have serious disabilities, figures things out but finds himself in great danger. Are you getting the drift? If you wonder whether the father gets saved and whether father and son reconcile, then you may really like this book. Otherwise there are better books to be read. Try something by Barbara Kingsolver or Amor Towles or Mark Helprin or Willa Cather or even John Grisham. The author is my doctor whom I like and respect as a doctor, but as an author he is just run-of-the-mill.

[Martha Mcgill · Rating 1 out of 5]

very dry reading.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book off Amazon because of the positive reviews this book is one of the only ones on Amazon with over 50 reviews and not one of them were bad. ! That being said- I bought it. I’m very glad I did. I love how this book has a ton of action but it’s also realistic because Miles is an old man that can only do so much so Michael burton made the scenarios very age appropriate for the aging character. So that’s a strong point. Also a lot of what goes on here could also be realistic with what goes on in nursing homes and secret medical research. I totally believe the practice like this could happen to this day! So this book is a 10 out of 5 for me love it !

[Tammy Low · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband’s doctor wrote this book and recommended it to him. He liked it so I decided to read it. An older, ex-CIA agent is placed in an assisted living facility by his son. They don’t have much of a relationship. Miles realizes that something is not right about the facility and many of the staff members. He is forced to match wits and strength with several of the staff in an attempt to save his own life and that of a friend.

[leslie eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Needless to say I accomplished nothing much until I finished this book. Great read. Totally worth it. I can recommend this to everyone of all ages. Thanks Michael Burton. Intelligent, suspenseful, fast paced, and humorous. Not one objectionable word. Could there be another book in the works? I shall anxiously await a new release.

[Darrell Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book.

So, my doctor saw me reading a book in his office last week and recommended the book, ‘Check’ that he had written. I figured that I’d give it a shot. I only hope he’s half as good a doctor as he is a writer. The book was engaging, smart, thoughtfully written and full of action. Cudos, Doc on a wonderful read.

[Miriam Steurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Suspense

Great spy thriller…just nit what you’d expect. Loved it Keeps reader engaged to the very last page Great first novel

[Mike Hipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book from start to finish

The story, was well thought out, covering family, elder care and how aging is managed. Also had some crime involved.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check by Michael Burton Review by Shirley W

I could not put it down! A plausible story of a senior citizens retirement residence set in a beautiful, rural estate property that was previously a plantation and has had several expansions. Retired former CIA agent, Miles Norris, is placed in Better Life Spa by his son, Scott and wife, Julie. Miles’ grandson Noah accompanies his parents and grandpa to the facility. Scott barely knows his dad, because his father was a traveling computer salesman, or so he thought. MiIes has only lived with his son and family for 6 months after his wife passed away in Florida and he was thought to have had a stroke. Miles notes the activity in and around the facility while making a few friends slowly. He has several valid concerns about the employees.

I truly enjoyed the way the author, Michael Burton, takes us through the story. He has a rich grasp on older retirees’ feelings and thoughts. I chuckled many times because of the way situations were described and the innate wisdom of older people’s experience. The story is fast paced, original and very enjoyable!