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A Splendid Death: A Novel
When Nothing Is as It Seems, Anything Is Possible
When Aron, a twenty-one-year-old college student, arranges to meet his older brother, Brett, in the quaint village of San Martin on Spain's Costa Brava, he expects a fun-filled two-week vacation. But Aron and Brett encounter corruption and evil they could never have imagined. Crucial choices must be made, which resonate powerfully in this tale of love, doubt, envy, violence, and chance. Aron must grapple with the darkness hidden deeply in his own heart and must deal with the fact that nothing is as it seems to be.
When Aron, a twenty-one-year-old college student, arranges to meet his older brother, Brett, in the quaint village of San Martin on Spain's Costa Brava, he expects a fun-filled two-week vacation. But Aron and Brett encounter corruption and evil they could never have imagined. Crucial choices must be made, which resonate powerfully in this tale of love, doubt, envy, violence, and chance. Aron must grapple with the darkness hidden deeply in his own heart and must deal with the fact that nothing is as it seems to be.
Audible Audio
Published November 18, 2024
About the author
Mark Rubinstein
40 books817 followersMark Rubinstein graduated from NYU with a degree in business. He then served in the army as a field medic tending to paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division. After discharge, he re-entered NYU as a premed student.
As a medical student at the State University of New York, he developed an interest in psychiatry, discovering in that specialty the same thing he realized in reading fiction: every patient has a compelling story to tell. He became a board-certified psychiatrist.
In addition to his private practice he became a forensic psychiatrist because of the drama and conflict in the courtroom. He also taught psychiatric residents, interns, psychologists, and social workers at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and became a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University’s medical school.
He is a contributor to Psychology Today and The Huffington Post.
Before turning to fiction, Rubinstein coauthored five medical self-help books: The First Encounter: The Beginnings in Psychotherapy (Jason Aronson); The Complete Book of Cosmetic Facial Surgery (Simon and Schuster); New Choices: the Latest Options in Treating Breast Cancer (Dodd Mead); Heartplan: A Complete Program for Total Fitness of Heart & Mind (McGraw-Hill), and The Growing Years: A Guide to Your Child’s Emotional Development from Birth to Adolescence (Atheneum).
Rubinstein's high-octane thriller Mad Dog House was a finalist for the 2012 ForeWord Book Of The Year Award for suspense/thrillers. His 2nd thriller, Love Gone Mad, was published in September 2013 and his novella, The Foot Soldier (November 2013) won the Silver award in the 2014 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the Popular Fiction category. His novel Mad Dog Justice (September 2014), tagged as a "pulse-pounding tale of post-modern paranoia," is a finalist for the 2014 ForeWord Book of the Year Award. His novella, Return to Sandara, won the Gold Medal for suspense/thrillers in the 2015 IPPY Awards. The Lovers' Tango, is a medical and legal thriller about which Michael Connelly said, "The tension on these pages never lets you go. Rubinstein is a born storyteller." The Lovers' Tango has won the Gold Award in Popular Fiction for this year's 2016 IPPA Benjamin Franklin Award.
Bedlam's Door: True Tales of Madness and Hope, was published in September 2016. Beyond Bedlam's Door: True Tales from the Couch and Courtroom was published on May 15, 2017.
Rubinstein's book MAD DOG VENGEANCE, the 3rd in the Mad Dog Series, was published on October 15, 2017.
Rubinstein has since written Assassin's Lullaby and A Lethal Question.
As a medical student at the State University of New York, he developed an interest in psychiatry, discovering in that specialty the same thing he realized in reading fiction: every patient has a compelling story to tell. He became a board-certified psychiatrist.
In addition to his private practice he became a forensic psychiatrist because of the drama and conflict in the courtroom. He also taught psychiatric residents, interns, psychologists, and social workers at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and became a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University’s medical school.
He is a contributor to Psychology Today and The Huffington Post.
Before turning to fiction, Rubinstein coauthored five medical self-help books: The First Encounter: The Beginnings in Psychotherapy (Jason Aronson); The Complete Book of Cosmetic Facial Surgery (Simon and Schuster); New Choices: the Latest Options in Treating Breast Cancer (Dodd Mead); Heartplan: A Complete Program for Total Fitness of Heart & Mind (McGraw-Hill), and The Growing Years: A Guide to Your Child’s Emotional Development from Birth to Adolescence (Atheneum).
Rubinstein's high-octane thriller Mad Dog House was a finalist for the 2012 ForeWord Book Of The Year Award for suspense/thrillers. His 2nd thriller, Love Gone Mad, was published in September 2013 and his novella, The Foot Soldier (November 2013) won the Silver award in the 2014 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the Popular Fiction category. His novel Mad Dog Justice (September 2014), tagged as a "pulse-pounding tale of post-modern paranoia," is a finalist for the 2014 ForeWord Book of the Year Award. His novella, Return to Sandara, won the Gold Medal for suspense/thrillers in the 2015 IPPY Awards. The Lovers' Tango, is a medical and legal thriller about which Michael Connelly said, "The tension on these pages never lets you go. Rubinstein is a born storyteller." The Lovers' Tango has won the Gold Award in Popular Fiction for this year's 2016 IPPA Benjamin Franklin Award.
Bedlam's Door: True Tales of Madness and Hope, was published in September 2016. Beyond Bedlam's Door: True Tales from the Couch and Courtroom was published on May 15, 2017.
Rubinstein's book MAD DOG VENGEANCE, the 3rd in the Mad Dog Series, was published on October 15, 2017.
Rubinstein has since written Assassin's Lullaby and A Lethal Question.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 11, 2024
A Splendid Death is an intriguing novel about two brothers who meet in the Costa Brava for a two week vacation which turns out to be anything but what they expected. The characters and situations are interesting and definitely not one dimensional. The book is easy reading and entices the reader to go to Spain for the stimulating experience. I thank NetGalley and Thunder Lake Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
December 20, 2024
Brothers, seven years apart, couldn't be more different. Brett is charismatic, and an adrenaline junkie athlete captivating to beautiful women. Aron is the younger brother, always feeling in Brett's shadow - much quieter and risk averse.
Aron, left at home to take care of his ailing aunt, is remaining in college and picking up work as he can to avoid the draft (1968) while Brett has taken off to live in London as a teacher. So when Brett invites him for a paid summer vacation to Spain, he's hesitant but accepts. He has trouble imagining how Brett can afford such generosity, but doesn't question it too deeply.
Not long into the trip, things start to go sideways. Spain in this era was ruled by a dictator and enforced by corrupt police, and mercenaries abound just looking for trouble. But that's not the extent of the violent drama they encounter. The character development was well done, reminding me that even those that put on a grand charade can have a softer side hidden within. And it's interesting to imagine how things were during the Viet Nam War timeframe in other areas, and how things would have been handled then. It's tough to really dive in without spoilers - but this really drew me in quickly!
Thanks to NetGalley, Thunder Lake Press and Mark Rubinstein for the eARC.
#ASplendidDeath #NetGalley
Aron, left at home to take care of his ailing aunt, is remaining in college and picking up work as he can to avoid the draft (1968) while Brett has taken off to live in London as a teacher. So when Brett invites him for a paid summer vacation to Spain, he's hesitant but accepts. He has trouble imagining how Brett can afford such generosity, but doesn't question it too deeply.
Not long into the trip, things start to go sideways. Spain in this era was ruled by a dictator and enforced by corrupt police, and mercenaries abound just looking for trouble. But that's not the extent of the violent drama they encounter. The character development was well done, reminding me that even those that put on a grand charade can have a softer side hidden within. And it's interesting to imagine how things were during the Viet Nam War timeframe in other areas, and how things would have been handled then. It's tough to really dive in without spoilers - but this really drew me in quickly!
Thanks to NetGalley, Thunder Lake Press and Mark Rubinstein for the eARC.
#ASplendidDeath #NetGalley
November 16, 2024
Mark Rubinstein’s A Splendid Death is an exhilarating ride packed with heart-pounding action and relentless suspense. From the first chapter, the novel hooks readers, whisking them into a high-stakes adventure involving two brothers whose seemingly straightforward trip spirals out of control, with lives hanging in the balance.
Rubinstein excels at creating a cinematic narrative, reminiscent of the clever twists and layered reveals found in the Ocean’s movie franchise. Just when you think you have a handle on the story, new layers of deception and intrigue emerge, keeping the suspense alive and the pages turning.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to balance gripping action with character depth. The brothers’ relationship adds an emotional core to the story, grounding the explosive twists with moments of vulnerability and humanity. The pacing is relentless, making it a challenge to put down.
While the action and twists are undeniably entertaining, some readers might find themselves wanting a bit more focus on the overarching stakes or the motivations driving certain plot turns. Nonetheless, A Splendid Death is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read that delivers on its promise of suspense and surprises.
Rubinstein excels at creating a cinematic narrative, reminiscent of the clever twists and layered reveals found in the Ocean’s movie franchise. Just when you think you have a handle on the story, new layers of deception and intrigue emerge, keeping the suspense alive and the pages turning.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to balance gripping action with character depth. The brothers’ relationship adds an emotional core to the story, grounding the explosive twists with moments of vulnerability and humanity. The pacing is relentless, making it a challenge to put down.
While the action and twists are undeniably entertaining, some readers might find themselves wanting a bit more focus on the overarching stakes or the motivations driving certain plot turns. Nonetheless, A Splendid Death is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read that delivers on its promise of suspense and surprises.
November 2, 2024
Aaron goes to the Costa Brava in Spain to meet his older brother, Brett, whom he hasn't seen in many years. This the 1960s in the Franco era in Spain, a fascist period in the country, and Brett has to deal with the Guardia Civil, the police.
After several adventures, during which Brett seems to disappear and is presumed dead, Aaron returns to England to continue caring for his elderly aunt and to finish school. Thanks to Brett, he can now afford to do both.
There is a twist at the end of the novel. However, I had to take another look at the book to recall the basic plot and the ending result. It seemed a straightforward kind of adventure, with danger and pitfalls, overcome at the end. I wished there were more outstanding events or personalities to make a more lasting impression of the novel after I had finished reading it, however. The setting on the Costa Brava was the most memorable.
After several adventures, during which Brett seems to disappear and is presumed dead, Aaron returns to England to continue caring for his elderly aunt and to finish school. Thanks to Brett, he can now afford to do both.
There is a twist at the end of the novel. However, I had to take another look at the book to recall the basic plot and the ending result. It seemed a straightforward kind of adventure, with danger and pitfalls, overcome at the end. I wished there were more outstanding events or personalities to make a more lasting impression of the novel after I had finished reading it, however. The setting on the Costa Brava was the most memorable.
October 30, 2024
Thank you for the opportunity to preview A Splendid Death. I have read several of this authors books and found them all 5 star thrillers.
His newest book takes place in 1968 when 2 brothers from New Jersey go to a lovely location in Spain
The older brother is Brett who is a good looking man full of adventure. Aron is the younger brother who is cautious and careful
They have been apart and Brett wants them to enjoy a vacation together and Aron reluctantly agrees
Well a quiet vacation turns into something quite dangerous and soon the brothers are in trouble. Between local thugs and police they have a hard time staying out of trouble.
Brett has a plan and he pushes Aron into accompanying him to a casino. What happens next will keep your heart pumping and guessing till the last page. Luved it!!!
His newest book takes place in 1968 when 2 brothers from New Jersey go to a lovely location in Spain
The older brother is Brett who is a good looking man full of adventure. Aron is the younger brother who is cautious and careful
They have been apart and Brett wants them to enjoy a vacation together and Aron reluctantly agrees
Well a quiet vacation turns into something quite dangerous and soon the brothers are in trouble. Between local thugs and police they have a hard time staying out of trouble.
Brett has a plan and he pushes Aron into accompanying him to a casino. What happens next will keep your heart pumping and guessing till the last page. Luved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews