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Landfall
Landfall is the story of Jake Thomas who has retired from a life at sea. He has settled into a comfortable retirement and even has a new wife. Yet a secret from Jake’s past can undo it all. On Jake’s first sea voyage more than forty years ago, a woman was murdered and now her children seek answers from Jake. Does he know what really happened? Did the wrong man go to jail? Can they trust him to finally tell the truth?
Written in a style that compares to Joseph Conrad and James Patterson, the author drew upon his thirty years of sea experience to craft a book of mystery and intrigue.
Written in a style that compares to Joseph Conrad and James Patterson, the author drew upon his thirty years of sea experience to craft a book of mystery and intrigue.
- GenresMystery
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2014
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 14, 2015
I was expecting a shipboard mystery set in the 1960’s. The mystery is there but it really plays second fiddle to a story of debauchery, squalor, and obsession that takes place in the Vietnam Barrio and aboard a supply ship.
I never fully connected with Jake, the main character narrating his story, partly because of my own strong feelings regarding his weak sense of self-worth. Nor I did not care for his political raving concerning war and the Vietnam Conflict, in particular, most likely because I have family members and friends who served honorably and well there and who have not let their experiences there shape the rest of their lives to such an unhealthy degree as happened with Jake.
The story was mesmerizing in the way in which it was told but I struggled to connect with the other characters, too; finding them more pathetic than sympathetic. I was appalled by the sexual corruption and drug abuse. I found it incredibly sad that Jake, a person with such shining potential, held onto so much anger and despair, in the process bringing those around him down into the pit of his malaise and causing his marriage to implode. I found the book thought-provoking and disturbing to such an extent I woke up in the middle of the night and continued reading to the end because I could not get it out of my head.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I never fully connected with Jake, the main character narrating his story, partly because of my own strong feelings regarding his weak sense of self-worth. Nor I did not care for his political raving concerning war and the Vietnam Conflict, in particular, most likely because I have family members and friends who served honorably and well there and who have not let their experiences there shape the rest of their lives to such an unhealthy degree as happened with Jake.
The story was mesmerizing in the way in which it was told but I struggled to connect with the other characters, too; finding them more pathetic than sympathetic. I was appalled by the sexual corruption and drug abuse. I found it incredibly sad that Jake, a person with such shining potential, held onto so much anger and despair, in the process bringing those around him down into the pit of his malaise and causing his marriage to implode. I found the book thought-provoking and disturbing to such an extent I woke up in the middle of the night and continued reading to the end because I could not get it out of my head.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
April 29, 2015
Joseph Jablonski's writing brings to mind Graham Greene and Joseph Conrad. LANDFALL is a contemporary tale with a classic feel. It's a treasure of a book about what it's like to be forced to confront your past.
January 2, 2015
LANDFALL by Joseph Jablonski is an exciting Suspense/Romance/Mystery. Set in Portland, Oregon, partly in the 1960's, upon the American Freighter, SS James Wait.
An intense tale of murder, suspense, mystery, sea-stories, and a merchant sea man's first command as a deck cadet. It is also the discovery of one's dark side, old memories, the chaos and upheaval of the late 1960's, and long buried secrets.
Fast paced, where the writing is unique, intense and compelling. It is written as a story within a story. A riveting story! The characters are intriguing as well as compelling. A unique tale in itself. A fascinating tale, any suspense reader would enjoy. A powerful story of condemnation of war, and human nature. Well written and explosive.
*Received for an honest review from the author and/or publicist*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
An intense tale of murder, suspense, mystery, sea-stories, and a merchant sea man's first command as a deck cadet. It is also the discovery of one's dark side, old memories, the chaos and upheaval of the late 1960's, and long buried secrets.
Fast paced, where the writing is unique, intense and compelling. It is written as a story within a story. A riveting story! The characters are intriguing as well as compelling. A unique tale in itself. A fascinating tale, any suspense reader would enjoy. A powerful story of condemnation of war, and human nature. Well written and explosive.
*Received for an honest review from the author and/or publicist*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
November 14, 2016
A spellbinder
This is a great book. The story is told by Zachary Thomas, who was a cadet on the ship, James Wait, when the story begins. He tells of life at sea and the adventures of a 19 year old. He goes to a seedy area in one of their ports and gets deathly I'll with a fever. The wife of a local missionary reverend nurses him back to health. Her family later travels to the U.S. aboard the James Wait. During the passage, the wife dies. The rest of the book centers around her death. You know there is more to the story than that and you keep reading to find out the secret. Prepare to lose sleep, refusing to put down the book. The book is very well written by a former sea captain. You won't be sorry for the price you paid for the book.
This is a great book. The story is told by Zachary Thomas, who was a cadet on the ship, James Wait, when the story begins. He tells of life at sea and the adventures of a 19 year old. He goes to a seedy area in one of their ports and gets deathly I'll with a fever. The wife of a local missionary reverend nurses him back to health. Her family later travels to the U.S. aboard the James Wait. During the passage, the wife dies. The rest of the book centers around her death. You know there is more to the story than that and you keep reading to find out the secret. Prepare to lose sleep, refusing to put down the book. The book is very well written by a former sea captain. You won't be sorry for the price you paid for the book.
January 29, 2015
Jake's memories are faulty. He was a crew member on a ship where a woman was murdered. This murder took place 40 years ago and the family wants answers. Only Jake can provide these answers. These memories cause chaos and turmoil in his life as they consume his every moment.
I was completely wrapped up in Jake's past experiences and his memories. This story keeps you guessing till the very end. Did Jake do it? Did the Captain? Another crew member? A great mystery unfolds!!
I was completely wrapped up in Jake's past experiences and his memories. This story keeps you guessing till the very end. Did Jake do it? Did the Captain? Another crew member? A great mystery unfolds!!
August 13, 2015
A wonderful read!
I don't bother to rate most books. This one held my interest until the very end. The main character was struggling so hard with his past that I could feel his pain. A great, fast read!
I don't bother to rate most books. This one held my interest until the very end. The main character was struggling so hard with his past that I could feel his pain. A great, fast read!
June 21, 2015
Surprising
I liked this book but can't think what to say about it. It was an unusual story and I nearly stopped reading it at the middle. Glad I finished though.
I liked this book but can't think what to say about it. It was an unusual story and I nearly stopped reading it at the middle. Glad I finished though.
June 24, 2015
Great!
I was very impressed with the writing and the knowledge of the subject that the author passed to the reader. An entertaining and thought-provoking narrative.
I was very impressed with the writing and the knowledge of the subject that the author passed to the reader. An entertaining and thought-provoking narrative.
July 10, 2015
This one came to me as a freebie & while I enjoyed most of the storyline, it kind of fell apart in the conclusion with its summation.
March 10, 2017
A fellow Kings Point grad recommended this book. It's an intriguing mystery centered around the Merchant Marine serving Vietnam. A quick read, and well worth your time.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews