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Kings of Delusion
In the days before, during, and after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans there was a serial killer on the loose and looking for a certain female that got away. Paramedic Evan Pelicano's true accounts of the storm are weaved into this tale of survival while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet. At first, the paramedics and police officers navigate the floodwater trying to save residents, but then Evan finds he needs to save himself as well as protect his friend's daughter from the killer among them, all the while determined to reunite with his girlfriend, the Chief Deputy Coroner of New Orleans.
270 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2014
29 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Findorff
10 books70 followersNew Orleans and all its dark weirdness laid the foundation for every story I've written since high school up to present day. I was born and raised in the Crescent City, but now live in Chicago. I graduated from the University of New Orleans and served six years in the Louisiana National Guard.
My mind easily delves into the twisted recesses, but I find to balance myself out, I watch a lot of comedies and love to make people laugh. I get into everything from witty British comedies to South Park and Family Guy. If you're easily offended... Sorry!
My mind easily delves into the twisted recesses, but I find to balance myself out, I watch a lot of comedies and love to make people laugh. I get into everything from witty British comedies to South Park and Family Guy. If you're easily offended... Sorry!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 14, 2015
I devoured this novel in a few hours, it quickly pulled me in and I was desperate to find out who the killer was so hung in there until the very last sentence. It was worth the wait.
I have read some fantastic books in 2014 from new and relatively unknown authors, many of which write books that are as good as, or even better than more popular authors. I encourage readers to not shy away from new authors, or books with not too many reviews, as you will find some absolute gems, like this one. Brilliant.
I was excited!
A nice combination of crime and thriller, this book has a cracking pace from the onset. I love it when a book maintains a high energy level so that you are constantly wanting to turn the page to see what is next. There are no lull moments where you can have a toilet break reading this one.
The blurb..
In the days before, during, and after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans there was a serial killer on the loose and looking for a certain female that got away. Paramedic Evan Pelicano's true accounts of the storm are weaved into this tale of survival while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet.
At first, the paramedics and police officers navigate the floodwater trying to save residents, but then Evan finds he needs to save himself as well as protect his friend's daughter from the killer among them, all the while determined to reunite with his girlfriend, the Chief Deputy Coroner of New Orleans.
We meet Evan Pelicano who is a Paramedic in New Orleans early in the book, he ends up having to attend a horrific scene where blood has been shed in rivers and to make it worse it's the home of friends, people he has known for years. He's close to this one and it cuts deep.
Police Officer Jeremy Scarlet is dead and he is survived by his sixteen year old daughter who has a bit of a crush on Evan and latches on to him after the trauma. The relationship dynamic between the two of them is really interesting through the whole book.
There was a poker game on in the house the night of the murders so all those attending that night need to be ruled out as suspects. I loved this aspect of the book. The individual questioning both from the police but also from each other as they all look to each other and wonder could it have been one of them. Trust is questioned and fingers are pointed then withdrawn then pointed again. I was fascinated trying to guess if it was one of them and indeed which one, it kept me on my toes.
Interwoven into the police investigation, there is also the recognition that a serial killer is on the prowl in town, so the hunt is on for the killer who has a specific MO and signature. Just to crank up the action and thrills a notch more, the book is set as Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Wow, just wow.
The author has done an outstanding job in describing the conditions, the terror, the fear, the panic, the desperation of the local people as Hurricane Katrina hits with no mercy and it's chaos all round. Evan is closely drawn into the rescue missions to help in the midst of this crisis whilst at the same time still trying to protect his friend's daughter as it becomes apparent someone is after her.
I got a real insight to the terrible conditions residents ended up in, staying in places with no electricity, toilets not working and overflowing with rivers of urine and human waste. Intolerable heat and the stench of human bodies everywhere, crime, looting, death. It's really well written, I felt like I was almost there feeling the fear and panic that was all around.
It all weaves together really well, the book never lets up on the pace, the plot is interesting, it is thrills all the way to the end of the book. There is a level of sophistication in Findorff's writing, here is a writer to watch in my opinion. Things can only get better.
My one and only quibble with this novel and the ONLY reason it did not get 5 stars from me is I found there was a lot of characters to follow in the book and apart from one or two of them they didn't "pop" enough of the page for me to get a sense of who they were, I struggled to connect a bit and when things got busy I had to keep reminding myself who was who. That may just be me though. I was just having to think a bit too hard on who was who in the zoo. I think the characters could have been a bit more tangible which would have made this book amazing.
If you like a good thriller, tossed with a touch of murder, mixed in with a serial killer with an awful lot of red herrings as to who the murderer is, you will like this one. The bonus material is the first hand action surrounding Hurricane Katrina, it blends so well with the entire plot to make for a really well rounded book.
4.5 stars from me for Kings Of Delusion. I have no hesitation in recommending this to those that enjoy this genre. Very keen to read more from E.J. Findorff. I have a limited number of review copies if this book for avid readers and reviewers! Email bookloveractlady@gmail.com
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review, many thanks for my copy and the opportunity to read and review the book.
I have read some fantastic books in 2014 from new and relatively unknown authors, many of which write books that are as good as, or even better than more popular authors. I encourage readers to not shy away from new authors, or books with not too many reviews, as you will find some absolute gems, like this one. Brilliant.
I was excited!
A nice combination of crime and thriller, this book has a cracking pace from the onset. I love it when a book maintains a high energy level so that you are constantly wanting to turn the page to see what is next. There are no lull moments where you can have a toilet break reading this one.
The blurb..
In the days before, during, and after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans there was a serial killer on the loose and looking for a certain female that got away. Paramedic Evan Pelicano's true accounts of the storm are weaved into this tale of survival while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet.
At first, the paramedics and police officers navigate the floodwater trying to save residents, but then Evan finds he needs to save himself as well as protect his friend's daughter from the killer among them, all the while determined to reunite with his girlfriend, the Chief Deputy Coroner of New Orleans.
We meet Evan Pelicano who is a Paramedic in New Orleans early in the book, he ends up having to attend a horrific scene where blood has been shed in rivers and to make it worse it's the home of friends, people he has known for years. He's close to this one and it cuts deep.
Police Officer Jeremy Scarlet is dead and he is survived by his sixteen year old daughter who has a bit of a crush on Evan and latches on to him after the trauma. The relationship dynamic between the two of them is really interesting through the whole book.
There was a poker game on in the house the night of the murders so all those attending that night need to be ruled out as suspects. I loved this aspect of the book. The individual questioning both from the police but also from each other as they all look to each other and wonder could it have been one of them. Trust is questioned and fingers are pointed then withdrawn then pointed again. I was fascinated trying to guess if it was one of them and indeed which one, it kept me on my toes.
Interwoven into the police investigation, there is also the recognition that a serial killer is on the prowl in town, so the hunt is on for the killer who has a specific MO and signature. Just to crank up the action and thrills a notch more, the book is set as Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Wow, just wow.
The author has done an outstanding job in describing the conditions, the terror, the fear, the panic, the desperation of the local people as Hurricane Katrina hits with no mercy and it's chaos all round. Evan is closely drawn into the rescue missions to help in the midst of this crisis whilst at the same time still trying to protect his friend's daughter as it becomes apparent someone is after her.
I got a real insight to the terrible conditions residents ended up in, staying in places with no electricity, toilets not working and overflowing with rivers of urine and human waste. Intolerable heat and the stench of human bodies everywhere, crime, looting, death. It's really well written, I felt like I was almost there feeling the fear and panic that was all around.
It all weaves together really well, the book never lets up on the pace, the plot is interesting, it is thrills all the way to the end of the book. There is a level of sophistication in Findorff's writing, here is a writer to watch in my opinion. Things can only get better.
My one and only quibble with this novel and the ONLY reason it did not get 5 stars from me is I found there was a lot of characters to follow in the book and apart from one or two of them they didn't "pop" enough of the page for me to get a sense of who they were, I struggled to connect a bit and when things got busy I had to keep reminding myself who was who. That may just be me though. I was just having to think a bit too hard on who was who in the zoo. I think the characters could have been a bit more tangible which would have made this book amazing.
If you like a good thriller, tossed with a touch of murder, mixed in with a serial killer with an awful lot of red herrings as to who the murderer is, you will like this one. The bonus material is the first hand action surrounding Hurricane Katrina, it blends so well with the entire plot to make for a really well rounded book.
4.5 stars from me for Kings Of Delusion. I have no hesitation in recommending this to those that enjoy this genre. Very keen to read more from E.J. Findorff. I have a limited number of review copies if this book for avid readers and reviewers! Email bookloveractlady@gmail.com
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review, many thanks for my copy and the opportunity to read and review the book.
August 7, 2015
A cop, his wife and two young daughters are murdered.. their teenage daughter is the only survivor and she has no memory of what happened.
That night there were several other cops wandering in and out due to their weekly poker game. So cops are looking at other cops. Meanwhile, Angela, the survivor, is being stalked by the man who murdered her family.
The backdrop to this book is Katrina .. starting a few days before she hit through a few days after. The tension is like a low rumble in the background ...you just can't forget it's there.
The author did a terrific job in describing what it was like, after all, he was there. It made everything else so believable. All the characters were so real they jump off the page.
I truly enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what else this author may offer the reader in the future.
My thanks to the author and his publicist who made this available for a review in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
December 21, 2014
This is an exciting fiction thriller, set in real life, real time events. The book has an important sub-text that explores the collapse of social norms in a population under extremes of stress. The backdrop to the plot is the catastrophic environmental disaster inflicted on the City of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.
This is a classic modern thriller read, with the expected adrenaline surges sure to hit most readers at the end of every chapter. There are also many of the twists common to the 'Whodunit' genre, in this story that centres on paedophilia, depravity, the treatment of the old, the struggles of the poor and corruption in high and low places.
Extra poignancy is given to the plot by the author's personal life experiences in and around the streets of that most exotic of cities. The great many real characters on which Findorff has based his fictional ones have helped him weave such an exciting and disturbing story. This work is less scary in a bloodthirsty sense than his last work, 'Unhinged', but feels even more real, grittier, closer to the pulse of life on the edge.
Well written though less than perfectly edited, top of the pile drama. Findorff is one of the new stars in the million strong army of previously suppressed independent writers. I hope there are many more Findorff fictions to come.
This is a classic modern thriller read, with the expected adrenaline surges sure to hit most readers at the end of every chapter. There are also many of the twists common to the 'Whodunit' genre, in this story that centres on paedophilia, depravity, the treatment of the old, the struggles of the poor and corruption in high and low places.
Extra poignancy is given to the plot by the author's personal life experiences in and around the streets of that most exotic of cities. The great many real characters on which Findorff has based his fictional ones have helped him weave such an exciting and disturbing story. This work is less scary in a bloodthirsty sense than his last work, 'Unhinged', but feels even more real, grittier, closer to the pulse of life on the edge.
Well written though less than perfectly edited, top of the pile drama. Findorff is one of the new stars in the million strong army of previously suppressed independent writers. I hope there are many more Findorff fictions to come.
August 25, 2015
I received a free copy from the author and his publicist in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, E.J. Findorff!
The devastation caused in New Orleans by hurricane Katrina is undoubtedly one of the worst disasters in the history of the US. A paramedic during the event itself, the author describes everything in such detail that you can almost feel the heat, the exhaustion, the stench... it is like you are in the middle of the chaos. But Katrina is only the background to a murder investigation. A cop and his family are murdered and only his teenage daughter, Angela, survives. Evan Pelicano, a stand-in for Findorff himself, gets involved when he is first on the scene. Once the hurricane hits, Pelicano must keep Angela alive, while trying to find out who's the killer and keep track of his loved ones during the chaos. The book is remarkably well written and the author does an outstanding job of describing the situations in which the survivors find themselves. Unfortunately, I found the plot predictable and the characters, with a few exceptions, unlikeable. I’ll give it three stars.
The devastation caused in New Orleans by hurricane Katrina is undoubtedly one of the worst disasters in the history of the US. A paramedic during the event itself, the author describes everything in such detail that you can almost feel the heat, the exhaustion, the stench... it is like you are in the middle of the chaos. But Katrina is only the background to a murder investigation. A cop and his family are murdered and only his teenage daughter, Angela, survives. Evan Pelicano, a stand-in for Findorff himself, gets involved when he is first on the scene. Once the hurricane hits, Pelicano must keep Angela alive, while trying to find out who's the killer and keep track of his loved ones during the chaos. The book is remarkably well written and the author does an outstanding job of describing the situations in which the survivors find themselves. Unfortunately, I found the plot predictable and the characters, with a few exceptions, unlikeable. I’ll give it three stars.
May 4, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. I've actually read this book now on three separate occasions now. Once when it was in it's early early early early draft form, a second time right before it was published, and I finished my last read through just a few days ago. Things changed with each iteration, and I feel the final result stands head and shoulders above the earlier versions. Some details shifted and a little better understanding of relationships between characters was added as well as some extra backstory and character development. It was a great read, and an it also provided an awesome historical accounting of the wrathful damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. It may not have been the goal of the author, but as devastating and destructive as the Hurricane was, the events surrounding the main characters was able to eclipse the storm. I would happily read more novels by E.J. in the future. He has a great writing style and from correspondence regarding his drafts a very nice person as well.
August 28, 2015
KIngs of Delusion is a emotional story set against the back drop of hurricane Katrina.
TH story starts immediately with a triple slaying the only survivor is a teenager called Angela but she has no memory of what happened that night.
Her father a cop was found in the lounge after a poker night with his friends and colleagues.
Evan Pelicano gets involved when he is first on the scene Pelicano looks after Angela then Katrina strikes, while trying to cope with Hurricane Katrina and find out who the killer is.
This book is filled with drama and suspense a great story.
Thank you E J Findorff and Booklover catlady publicity for a chance to read this book.
TH story starts immediately with a triple slaying the only survivor is a teenager called Angela but she has no memory of what happened that night.
Her father a cop was found in the lounge after a poker night with his friends and colleagues.
Evan Pelicano gets involved when he is first on the scene Pelicano looks after Angela then Katrina strikes, while trying to cope with Hurricane Katrina and find out who the killer is.
This book is filled with drama and suspense a great story.
Thank you E J Findorff and Booklover catlady publicity for a chance to read this book.
March 24, 2016
Disclaimer: I had the privilege of reading "Kings of Delusion" twice as a volunteer test reader and a third time while doing a final edit of it for the author. Although I was paid for my editing services, I was not asked to review it, nor did I receive any compensation for doing so. I am reviewing this purely as an interested, third-party reader.
***
Setting a murder mystery against the backdrop of hurricane Katrina--two highly traumatic events for those involved--was, in my opinion, a touch of brilliance. From the first chapter to the last, E. J. Findorff pulls the reader along through this smoothly written tale. I normally don't read murder mysteries, but the unusual setting of this one intrigued me. It adds an extra dimension of the sort one finds in some classic Agatha Christie mysteries. Crafting a good whodunnit is a challenge, and I found this one to be very well constructed. It kept me guessing right up to the final reveal.
Murder mystery aside, "Kings of Delusion" is also a personal and emotional story of interesting, believable, and flawed characters thrust into extraordinarily challenging circumstances. Because of its rich and well-woven plot, this novel should appeal to a broad range of reading tastes: mystery, thriller, romance (yes, there's a romance element in it as well). Give it a try. I doubt that you'll be disappointed.
***
Setting a murder mystery against the backdrop of hurricane Katrina--two highly traumatic events for those involved--was, in my opinion, a touch of brilliance. From the first chapter to the last, E. J. Findorff pulls the reader along through this smoothly written tale. I normally don't read murder mysteries, but the unusual setting of this one intrigued me. It adds an extra dimension of the sort one finds in some classic Agatha Christie mysteries. Crafting a good whodunnit is a challenge, and I found this one to be very well constructed. It kept me guessing right up to the final reveal.
Murder mystery aside, "Kings of Delusion" is also a personal and emotional story of interesting, believable, and flawed characters thrust into extraordinarily challenging circumstances. Because of its rich and well-woven plot, this novel should appeal to a broad range of reading tastes: mystery, thriller, romance (yes, there's a romance element in it as well). Give it a try. I doubt that you'll be disappointed.
June 18, 2016
Review rating: 5+ stars.
The reader will follow the TRUE accounts of Paramedic Evan Pelicano while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet...
What this book is about
The year is 2005, setting is New Orleans. Before, during and after Hurricane Katrina struck NO.6 friends: Evan (paramedic), Jake (fireman), Jeremy, Elroy, Greg and Black Attack (cops). They all meet once a week for a poker game at Jeremy’s place. But one night, at their weekly poker game, something horrible happens. That night, Evan, who was on call that night with another paramedic, was dispatched to Jeremy’s address, only to find Jeremy, his wife and the twins shot and their eldest daughter, Angela, missing.
Friendships are tested, friends turn on one another, Hurricane Katrina struck and the ending was one I did not expect.
My thoughts on this book
Wow, it’s been a long time since I read a psychological thriller / suspense mystery this good! This one goes under my “favourite” books read for 2016 for sure!
The title of this book fits this story perfectly. Keeps you guessing til the end!
***Thank you to the author, E.J. Findorff, and Booklover Catlady Publicity for giving me this opportunity to review Kings of Delusion for a fair and honest review.
The reader will follow the TRUE accounts of Paramedic Evan Pelicano while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet...
What this book is about
The year is 2005, setting is New Orleans. Before, during and after Hurricane Katrina struck NO.6 friends: Evan (paramedic), Jake (fireman), Jeremy, Elroy, Greg and Black Attack (cops). They all meet once a week for a poker game at Jeremy’s place. But one night, at their weekly poker game, something horrible happens. That night, Evan, who was on call that night with another paramedic, was dispatched to Jeremy’s address, only to find Jeremy, his wife and the twins shot and their eldest daughter, Angela, missing.
Friendships are tested, friends turn on one another, Hurricane Katrina struck and the ending was one I did not expect.
My thoughts on this book
Wow, it’s been a long time since I read a psychological thriller / suspense mystery this good! This one goes under my “favourite” books read for 2016 for sure!
The title of this book fits this story perfectly. Keeps you guessing til the end!
***Thank you to the author, E.J. Findorff, and Booklover Catlady Publicity for giving me this opportunity to review Kings of Delusion for a fair and honest review.
January 13, 2015
Author E. J. Findorff was born and raised in New Orleans and sets his tales in that fabled city. KINGS OF DELUSION is set before, during, and after the events of Hurricane Katrina.
Paramedic Evan Pelicano is the main protagonist, a fictional version of a real person who's true actions are woven into the story of a serial killer hunting for an escaped victim of a massacre while rescues were being done during those horrific events.
Pelicano finds himself guarding the sixteen year old daughter, the sole surviving member of a slain family, his friends, from the killer while at the same time worrying about his missing sister and wanting to get to his father, a man dying of cancer, before it was to late.
I remember when it was all going down, watching the news reports of Katrina bearing down on New Orleans, worrying about the people, and a few friends.
Nicely paced novel combining rescue missions and attempts on a young girl's life, with us wondering which of the suspects was the real killer.
Paramedic Evan Pelicano is the main protagonist, a fictional version of a real person who's true actions are woven into the story of a serial killer hunting for an escaped victim of a massacre while rescues were being done during those horrific events.
Pelicano finds himself guarding the sixteen year old daughter, the sole surviving member of a slain family, his friends, from the killer while at the same time worrying about his missing sister and wanting to get to his father, a man dying of cancer, before it was to late.
I remember when it was all going down, watching the news reports of Katrina bearing down on New Orleans, worrying about the people, and a few friends.
Nicely paced novel combining rescue missions and attempts on a young girl's life, with us wondering which of the suspects was the real killer.
August 18, 2015
As if hurricane Katrina wasn't enough to worry about
A few days before Katrina is scheduled to hit, A police officer and his family is nearly wiped out in a treacherous murder spree , during the precincts weekly poker game. The lone survivor is the officers teenage daughter, Angela. Angela has no memory of the events that conspired from the murder, but it doesn’t stop the murderer from stalking her. It is believed because the murders took place during the weekly poker game, that an officer is the murderer.
This novel was truly, a mystery mixed with a thriller. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, reading it trying to take in all the clues and figure out who was the killer. The author did a wonderful job of weaving a novel that keeps you engaged and constantly questioning every characters intention. The writing was flawless and the characters were well written. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great, mystery or thriller.
A few days before Katrina is scheduled to hit, A police officer and his family is nearly wiped out in a treacherous murder spree , during the precincts weekly poker game. The lone survivor is the officers teenage daughter, Angela. Angela has no memory of the events that conspired from the murder, but it doesn’t stop the murderer from stalking her. It is believed because the murders took place during the weekly poker game, that an officer is the murderer.
This novel was truly, a mystery mixed with a thriller. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, reading it trying to take in all the clues and figure out who was the killer. The author did a wonderful job of weaving a novel that keeps you engaged and constantly questioning every characters intention. The writing was flawless and the characters were well written. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great, mystery or thriller.
February 12, 2015
I have never been to New Orleans before, well not until I read Kings of Delusion.
As in his previous book Unhinged, E.J. Findorff has a way with words that transports the reader to the time and place,
capturing the sights, sounds, scents...
I felt as if I was actually there during this real life disaster and experiencing it all while trying to solve a crime.
You can read other reviews about what this book is about, I'm saying in mine that anything that draws me in and makes me feel such a part of it like Kings of Delusion does deserves every one of it's 5 stars*****
From start to finish I totally enjoyed it!
As in his previous book Unhinged, E.J. Findorff has a way with words that transports the reader to the time and place,
capturing the sights, sounds, scents...
I felt as if I was actually there during this real life disaster and experiencing it all while trying to solve a crime.
You can read other reviews about what this book is about, I'm saying in mine that anything that draws me in and makes me feel such a part of it like Kings of Delusion does deserves every one of it's 5 stars*****
From start to finish I totally enjoyed it!
October 21, 2015
Set in New Orleans amid the chaos of Hurricane Katrina, Kings of Delusion takes an already dramatic situation and boosts it into overdrive by throwing a serial killer into the lawless, semi-submerged mix. It’s an solid set-up, one which uses the real-life recollections of a paramedic as the basis for the central protagonist.
The plot then insinuates the worst about one of the team of first responders. When a girl is raped and her family brutally murdered, the chances are that it’s a policeman, fireman or paramedic responsible. So who can you trust, when the storm suddenly hits town and society breaks down?
The reader never quite knows which of the suspects (or none) is responsible for these crimes and an earlier chain of similar murders. The author throws suspicion onto each in turn, pitching each revelation against the backdrop of power outages, rising water levels, floating bodies and increasing panic.
The best scenes are the ones where the first responders do their stuff, managing medical conditions, getting their hands wet and their feet bloody. There are also a couple of moments of carefully choreographed menace; when a weary group of refugees and medics stumble along the raised roadway towards safety as daylight fades, stalked by human scavengers…
However, KoD struggles in other areas. The writing is naïve, almost clumsy. You can see what the writer was reaching for, but it frequently doesn’t come off. Some passages need to be read several times to figure out what just happened. A couple of the suspects are thinly drawn; they were hard to distinguish (which is kinda important for the plot). And some of the important emotional back-story and relationship dialogue just clunked for me.
That’s a shame, because this is an ambitious and entertaining novel. Inside a crime-thriller the author also attempts to discuss myriad other topics; relationships; death and loss; assisted suicide; hidden truths of normal lives, and all that on top of the social commentary about the racial divide in NOLA and how the authorities got everything so appallingly wrong when the hurricane hit.
That’s a lot to cram into a single novel, so we should applaud the effort even if it’s a little rough around the edges.
7/10
There's more details about this book (and heaps others) at
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
The plot then insinuates the worst about one of the team of first responders. When a girl is raped and her family brutally murdered, the chances are that it’s a policeman, fireman or paramedic responsible. So who can you trust, when the storm suddenly hits town and society breaks down?
The reader never quite knows which of the suspects (or none) is responsible for these crimes and an earlier chain of similar murders. The author throws suspicion onto each in turn, pitching each revelation against the backdrop of power outages, rising water levels, floating bodies and increasing panic.
The best scenes are the ones where the first responders do their stuff, managing medical conditions, getting their hands wet and their feet bloody. There are also a couple of moments of carefully choreographed menace; when a weary group of refugees and medics stumble along the raised roadway towards safety as daylight fades, stalked by human scavengers…
However, KoD struggles in other areas. The writing is naïve, almost clumsy. You can see what the writer was reaching for, but it frequently doesn’t come off. Some passages need to be read several times to figure out what just happened. A couple of the suspects are thinly drawn; they were hard to distinguish (which is kinda important for the plot). And some of the important emotional back-story and relationship dialogue just clunked for me.
That’s a shame, because this is an ambitious and entertaining novel. Inside a crime-thriller the author also attempts to discuss myriad other topics; relationships; death and loss; assisted suicide; hidden truths of normal lives, and all that on top of the social commentary about the racial divide in NOLA and how the authorities got everything so appallingly wrong when the hurricane hit.
That’s a lot to cram into a single novel, so we should applaud the effort even if it’s a little rough around the edges.
7/10
There's more details about this book (and heaps others) at
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
March 4, 2016
Set just before and during the Katrina hurricane in New Orleans. A group of friends, police, fire and medics get together for their weekly game of poker. Shortly afterwards one of them, his wife and 2 children are murdered and one daughter assaulted. One of them or an intruder?
Further murders get linked by 4 items being left. Who is the murderer and what is his motive? He seeks out the remaining daughter who doesn’t know who she can trust anymore as she knew all of them through her now dead father.
For some reason this seemed quite a long book and I wondered if it needed all of it so to speak. The descriptions of the characters were good but somehow I didn’t connect enough with all of them.
The descriptions of the hurricane devastation is superb giving that “been there done that” feeling and the red herrings keep coming- one page you think you know who it is.. and then you change..!
An excellent plot although a little long winded at times, the odd typo and strange expression (maybe because I am UK not USA!). Nevertheless an interesting read that keep you hooked to the end.
Further murders get linked by 4 items being left. Who is the murderer and what is his motive? He seeks out the remaining daughter who doesn’t know who she can trust anymore as she knew all of them through her now dead father.
For some reason this seemed quite a long book and I wondered if it needed all of it so to speak. The descriptions of the characters were good but somehow I didn’t connect enough with all of them.
The descriptions of the hurricane devastation is superb giving that “been there done that” feeling and the red herrings keep coming- one page you think you know who it is.. and then you change..!
An excellent plot although a little long winded at times, the odd typo and strange expression (maybe because I am UK not USA!). Nevertheless an interesting read that keep you hooked to the end.
October 5, 2014
This book is nothing short of intense. What starts off with a paramedic arriving on the scene of a brutal triple-slaying involving one of his poker buddies, who are known as the Kings of Delusion, quickly spirals out of control as the murders evolve into one of several planned attacks by a serial killer and just as the pieces begin to fall in place, Hurricane Katrina hits, removing all traces of evidence. It’s a lot to take in, but the author does a great job at keeping the plot focused. The characters are interesting and varied and I couldn't help but feel genuine care for all of them, from Evan and his rocky relationships to Tack and his evolution, Higgins, Angela, and Jack. When Katrina makes landfall, the mood takes a somber turn (more so than it already was!) and the descriptions are heart-wrenching as the author paints a solid picture of what New Orleans went through after such a tragedy. It’s fast-paced and action-packed with never a dull moment.
August 18, 2015
Kings of Delusion
Set in New Orleans around the time of Hurricane Katrina, Angela, the sole survivor after her family were wiped out, late one night. Her father, a cop was found in the lounge, surrounded by the remnants of a long beer and cards session held with his colleagues and friends.
Suspicion falls on all who were there.
Little did anyone know of what was to unfold in the next few hours. Everything takes a back seat in the wake of Katrina.
Evan a Medic, the story features around his character and he comes across as a compassionate endearing person who has a lot of issues in his personal life. This is a credit to the skills of the author.
Total devastation and personal fights for survival makes this into a wonderfully written piece of work.
Set in New Orleans around the time of Hurricane Katrina, Angela, the sole survivor after her family were wiped out, late one night. Her father, a cop was found in the lounge, surrounded by the remnants of a long beer and cards session held with his colleagues and friends.
Suspicion falls on all who were there.
Little did anyone know of what was to unfold in the next few hours. Everything takes a back seat in the wake of Katrina.
Evan a Medic, the story features around his character and he comes across as a compassionate endearing person who has a lot of issues in his personal life. This is a credit to the skills of the author.
Total devastation and personal fights for survival makes this into a wonderfully written piece of work.
August 23, 2015
An interesting book that takes you in immediately by a horrible crime and leads you one through the tragic events of the hurricane Katrina flooding New Orleans. The POV of paramedic Evan is a very good choice to let us experience what was going on during this catastrophe.
The disorganization during evacuation and rescue is described as well at the disastrous effects of the storm.
I really liked this insight.
The crime story had me guessing for a very long part of the book, hoping for Angela not to become the next victim, but the denouement was not as expected and for my taste over the top.
The interesting and sympathetic characters are maturing during the events.
I want to thank the author and his publicist for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The disorganization during evacuation and rescue is described as well at the disastrous effects of the storm.
I really liked this insight.
The crime story had me guessing for a very long part of the book, hoping for Angela not to become the next victim, but the denouement was not as expected and for my taste over the top.
The interesting and sympathetic characters are maturing during the events.
I want to thank the author and his publicist for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2014
In the days before, during, and after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans there was a serial killer on the loose and looking for a certain female that got away. Paramedic Evan Pelicano's true accounts of the storm are weaved into this tale of survival while saddled with the sixteen year old daughter of his slain friend Officer Jeremy Scarlet. At first, the paramedics and police officers navigate the floodwater trying to save residents, but then Evan finds he needs to save himself as well as protect his friend's daughter from the killer among them, all the while determined to reunite with his girlfriend, the Chief Deputy Coroner of New Orleans.
October 12, 2015
Kings of Delusion will grab you in the first few pages and not let you go until the end. The story is centered around Hurricane Katrina and the City of New Orleans, which is why the book first interested me. E.J. Findorff's knowledge of the city and the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina enhances the story of the hunt for a serial killer during the hurricane and the difficulties the police and first responders faced immediately after.
Thanks Goodreads for the free book, I will now be look for other books from E.J. Findorff.
Thanks Goodreads for the free book, I will now be look for other books from E.J. Findorff.
July 13, 2017
In this brilliantly crafted historical thriller, a killer storm and sadistic serial killer converge to provide a nail biting page turner that will take you on one hell of a wild ride. I was impressed with the masterful weaving of real life tragedy and fiction and was kept guessing till the end. Great stuff for thriller lovers everywhere. Highly recommended.
November 25, 2014
Once again, E.J. Findorff has captured the spirit of New Orleans in a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller I couldn't put down. The historical drama of Hurricane Katrina weaves tightly into Findorff's web, and at points in the narrative I think I came to suspect every character of being the killer at one point or another. The ending does not disappoint. I'll be looking forward to his next book.
March 7, 2015
Definitely kept me interested and guessing until the end!
April 12, 2018
An exciting thriller, set against the backdrop of Hurrican Katherine this book got me hooked from the first pages. The detailed descriptions create a sense of deep immersion while reading, and the characters are compelling and well-rounded.
The plot is very well done and keeps you guessing time and again, building the intrigue until the very end. This has been my first book by Mr Findorff, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
The plot is very well done and keeps you guessing time and again, building the intrigue until the very end. This has been my first book by Mr Findorff, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
May 16, 2018
I'm always surprised at some of the things authors write of people treating others so badly. This is pretty interesting, and I hope none of it is true, except for the good parts. I don't like to give away many details in a review. The climax of this book did surprise me, as I had completely forgotten that the bad guy was still on the loose. There is also another surprise, much better than expected. Anyway, I recommend reading this book.
April 28, 2018
I love how realistic the story line is. Yes there is a bunch of swearing around the 16 year old girl, but have you actually heard how they talk? Believe me, this is mild compared to the way they talk! With Katrina hitting New Orleans, and a serial killer on the loose, there is many things going on. This book is a fast paced page turner for sure!
May 8, 2018
Wished I could give this book more than the 5 star rating! This is freaking amazing! A page turner that will keep you guessing and turning the pages. A book that you can't put down easily as you want to know what's going to happen next. Extremely highly recommended!
February 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel it hooked you in from the start and kept you involved to the very end. I liked how the author used a true account from a paramedic to let us know just how devastating Katrina was. Will read more by this author.
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February 20, 2020History up Close
Gripping whodunit. However, what I'll remember is Katrina. So much important history delivered as background. What a great device for teaching history!
Gripping whodunit. However, what I'll remember is Katrina. So much important history delivered as background. What a great device for teaching history!
August 16, 2015
From the beginning it had me hooked and I thought this was going to be a four star read for sure. It gets straight into the the murder of a family where the only survivor is the 16 year old daughter, who then continues to be hunted down whilst Katrina roars around the city of New Orleans.
So from a really strong start my score fell down to two stars. There are some strange scenes that just 'pop up', some involving sex where the timing feels quite odd/unexpected. Also there are quite a few descriptions that sexualise the 16 year old character which are not relevant to the story and slightly contradict the outcome at the end. Overall I felt like I was watching the 1974 movie Earthquake, it had the drama and suspense but the layer of sleaze means you are not able to take it that seriously.
This is actually a shame as the premise was good and with an additional edit these issues could be rectified and the story enhanced. A particular opportunity would be the back story of the killer, I think much more could have been made of this to good effect. There could have been an opening chapter contextualising a scene from the past as well as snippets throughout the book which would really draw you in to quite a dark place. Jo Nesbo does this quite a bit and often works well for thriller reads. So overall, unfortunately, only 2 stars from me :(.
Many thanks to Maxine for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
So from a really strong start my score fell down to two stars. There are some strange scenes that just 'pop up', some involving sex where the timing feels quite odd/unexpected. Also there are quite a few descriptions that sexualise the 16 year old character which are not relevant to the story and slightly contradict the outcome at the end. Overall I felt like I was watching the 1974 movie Earthquake, it had the drama and suspense but the layer of sleaze means you are not able to take it that seriously.
This is actually a shame as the premise was good and with an additional edit these issues could be rectified and the story enhanced. A particular opportunity would be the back story of the killer, I think much more could have been made of this to good effect. There could have been an opening chapter contextualising a scene from the past as well as snippets throughout the book which would really draw you in to quite a dark place. Jo Nesbo does this quite a bit and often works well for thriller reads. So overall, unfortunately, only 2 stars from me :(.
Many thanks to Maxine for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2016
Despite never visiting, I've always been fascinated by New Orleans. This story takes place before, during, and after Katrina. A brutal crime strikes a group of friends and coworkers just before. They lose a good friend when he and his wife and two of his children are murdered. His teenage daughter managed to escape with her life but no memory of the tragedy. She develops a strong attachment to her father's friend Evan, a paramedic. When Katrina strikes and separates families and lovers, he brings her along with him to keep her safe... but she's not.
This is a really emotional, well written story. I've given it four stars instead of five because I did find myself a bit confused about all of the characters a lot. I kept having to look back to remind myself who was who. More defining characteristics might have helped that. Nevertheless, it is a great thriller with some unexpected twists.
Many thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really emotional, well written story. I've given it four stars instead of five because I did find myself a bit confused about all of the characters a lot. I kept having to look back to remind myself who was who. More defining characteristics might have helped that. Nevertheless, it is a great thriller with some unexpected twists.
Many thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2016
I have read some amount of Katrina literature, and often I find it painful to read. Sometimes the pain is because it's not good writing. But when the writing is good, the pain of what happened in my city is worse. I felt the latter almost as soon as I started Kings of Delusion. I wanted to stop, because as the days before Katrina ticked down, I knew what was coming. But I was sucked into the story of the EMTs, police officers, and firefighters, from the backwards reveals of the night of the card game on. Masterful characterization, great mystery story line. I do have a nit to pick with how one character ends up, but revealing it would be a spoiler so.... Great read, great mystery, terrible time for New Orleans.
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