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The Dust Will Answer
1978: The wave of gentrification has yet to break over downtown Los Angeles, and vast swathes of the warehouse district lie nearly abandoned by the sterile trench of the city's concrete-clad river.
Lenny Strasser, a straight-arrow type with a taste for shady places, plunges into that world to discover that sometimes the only distance between two points is a very crooked line. When Lenny's friend Dave Larrabee nags him into helping him track down a missing girlfriend, Lenny suspects that the girl doesn't want to be found. He knows her all too she was his before she was Dave's, and she'd gone gleefully missing from his life one time too many. Worse, he's not entirely sure he's over his feelings for the theatrical and self-centered Kate.
But this time it wasn't one of her ordinary infidelities--she may have fallen, again, into the hands of the charismatic Nighthawk, who could lead her into territories where the danger is real and role-playing no protection from harm.
The quest takes them into hobo jungles and punk squats by the LA River--and into an after-midnight darkness of moral ambiguity that changes Lenny's life in ways he'd never dreamed of.
Lenny Strasser, a straight-arrow type with a taste for shady places, plunges into that world to discover that sometimes the only distance between two points is a very crooked line. When Lenny's friend Dave Larrabee nags him into helping him track down a missing girlfriend, Lenny suspects that the girl doesn't want to be found. He knows her all too she was his before she was Dave's, and she'd gone gleefully missing from his life one time too many. Worse, he's not entirely sure he's over his feelings for the theatrical and self-centered Kate.
But this time it wasn't one of her ordinary infidelities--she may have fallen, again, into the hands of the charismatic Nighthawk, who could lead her into territories where the danger is real and role-playing no protection from harm.
The quest takes them into hobo jungles and punk squats by the LA River--and into an after-midnight darkness of moral ambiguity that changes Lenny's life in ways he'd never dreamed of.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2015
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Richard Risemberg
15 books7 followersRichard Risemberg was dragged to Los Angeles as a child, and has been working there in a number of vernacular occupations since his teens while writing poetry, articles, essays, and fiction, editing online 'zines, sneaking around with a camera trying to steal people's souls, and making a general nuisance of himself, which is his forte. He's survived long enough to become either a respected elder or a tedious old fart, depending on your point of view, and is still at it. It hasn't been easy for any of us.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 30, 2015
It’s always a very good or a very bad sign if I start writing my review before I finish my read. I started the review of this one after the half-book mark. This time I was definitely impressed and charmed.
The narration ( the first person unlimited voice) I found incredibly smooth and enticing. It pulled me in and refused to let go till the very end. The sad (or maybe rather nostalgic) story of Lenny Strasser, his flighty former love interest called Kate, Dave Larrabee currently in love with Kate, and their mutual rival, Dutton, a drug peddler and a poseur extraordinaire, was simple all things considered, but mesmerizing. Or maybe just told in a very good way. The relationships between characters in the novel, however, were anything but simple. I might even risk a statement they were very complex. Like love. They felt right and resonated in perfect accordance with my own feelings. Anyway I enjoyed it immensely, letting the narrative flow to carry me to the final denouement.
The best thing is that, even though you visit the seedier quarters of Los Angeles and meet all the characters through Lenny’s eyes, everything and everybody is as three-dimensional and real as if a friend was telling you a true story. The novel has an original climate; it might seem dark and slightly pessimistic but I found it very enticing. You know, I am like a bat – I love darkness or at least dusk. It has also some slightly dreamy poetic quality, finding and describing beauty of quite unexpected places.
If I HAD to complain a little bit I would say one thing: no strong female characters. Sheela the hairdresser was good but a bit sketchy and coming to your full attention only near the very end. Bloody Mary a.k.a Marie, the homeless French lesbian was also interesting but even more sketchy. Kate could have been good if only we saw and heard from her more often. The first person narration, like everything in life, has some drawbacks even if it is performed very well.
My verdict:
I liked this one very much and it was a very pleasant surprise. I was able to read it during two evenings, enjoying every moment of it. I recommend it if you want to visit Los Angeles of the late 70s or just read a good, interesting story.
I got a complimentary digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review from the author – thank you very much!
The narration ( the first person unlimited voice) I found incredibly smooth and enticing. It pulled me in and refused to let go till the very end. The sad (or maybe rather nostalgic) story of Lenny Strasser, his flighty former love interest called Kate, Dave Larrabee currently in love with Kate, and their mutual rival, Dutton, a drug peddler and a poseur extraordinaire, was simple all things considered, but mesmerizing. Or maybe just told in a very good way. The relationships between characters in the novel, however, were anything but simple. I might even risk a statement they were very complex. Like love. They felt right and resonated in perfect accordance with my own feelings. Anyway I enjoyed it immensely, letting the narrative flow to carry me to the final denouement.
The best thing is that, even though you visit the seedier quarters of Los Angeles and meet all the characters through Lenny’s eyes, everything and everybody is as three-dimensional and real as if a friend was telling you a true story. The novel has an original climate; it might seem dark and slightly pessimistic but I found it very enticing. You know, I am like a bat – I love darkness or at least dusk. It has also some slightly dreamy poetic quality, finding and describing beauty of quite unexpected places.
If I HAD to complain a little bit I would say one thing: no strong female characters. Sheela the hairdresser was good but a bit sketchy and coming to your full attention only near the very end. Bloody Mary a.k.a Marie, the homeless French lesbian was also interesting but even more sketchy. Kate could have been good if only we saw and heard from her more often. The first person narration, like everything in life, has some drawbacks even if it is performed very well.
My verdict:
I liked this one very much and it was a very pleasant surprise. I was able to read it during two evenings, enjoying every moment of it. I recommend it if you want to visit Los Angeles of the late 70s or just read a good, interesting story.
I got a complimentary digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review from the author – thank you very much!
June 5, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This book also takes the slot of Somewhere I’d Like to Visit in the 2015 Reading Challenge.
Upon first receiving this title for review, I was nervous because 1) it was set in the past, which isn’t something I have read a lot of. So I wasn’t really sure what to expect. 2) It was in first person point of view. Now, I am not sure if my taste are changing, if I have just gotten used to first person point of view (so many seem to use it these days) or if I have just gotten lucky enough to find authors who actually have talent and have managed to master the first person narrative.
This novel starts off interesting and full of adventure and it last until the very last page. The main character is Lenny, a guy who’s friend is now dating his ex-girlfriend (Kate). When his ex-girlfriend goes missing, Dave (the current boyfriend of the ex) approached Lenny and ask for his assistance in retrieving her. I was a little freaked out at the idea of a guy being friends with another guy that his ex-girlfriend was now dating. I worried, only momentarily, that this novel would end up being a bit of a ‘drama’ with the typical cliche love triangle. Richard Risemberg put so much detail in describing the areas that Lenny and Dave embark on that it is super easy to get lost in the story line and very hard to put it down to do anything else.
If you ever knew someone who had a drug addiction/problem then this book is more than likely for you. I felt the pain that Kate put both Lenny and Dave through. The emotions that this book made me feel were a mix of anger, fear, happiness, uncertainty, pity and annoyance. I have found a big part of me wishing that there was a sequel to this novel, I would love to see where Lenny is and how he is doing after everything that takes place in The Dust Will Settle.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery or thriller novel. This book keeps the pages turning and it is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end!
“Adventure comes when life narrows your choices and you have to act” ~Rick Risemberg.
5/5 Stars. <3
Sandra
http://www.crandomblog.com/?p=443
Upon first receiving this title for review, I was nervous because 1) it was set in the past, which isn’t something I have read a lot of. So I wasn’t really sure what to expect. 2) It was in first person point of view. Now, I am not sure if my taste are changing, if I have just gotten used to first person point of view (so many seem to use it these days) or if I have just gotten lucky enough to find authors who actually have talent and have managed to master the first person narrative.
This novel starts off interesting and full of adventure and it last until the very last page. The main character is Lenny, a guy who’s friend is now dating his ex-girlfriend (Kate). When his ex-girlfriend goes missing, Dave (the current boyfriend of the ex) approached Lenny and ask for his assistance in retrieving her. I was a little freaked out at the idea of a guy being friends with another guy that his ex-girlfriend was now dating. I worried, only momentarily, that this novel would end up being a bit of a ‘drama’ with the typical cliche love triangle. Richard Risemberg put so much detail in describing the areas that Lenny and Dave embark on that it is super easy to get lost in the story line and very hard to put it down to do anything else.
If you ever knew someone who had a drug addiction/problem then this book is more than likely for you. I felt the pain that Kate put both Lenny and Dave through. The emotions that this book made me feel were a mix of anger, fear, happiness, uncertainty, pity and annoyance. I have found a big part of me wishing that there was a sequel to this novel, I would love to see where Lenny is and how he is doing after everything that takes place in The Dust Will Settle.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery or thriller novel. This book keeps the pages turning and it is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end!
“Adventure comes when life narrows your choices and you have to act” ~Rick Risemberg.
5/5 Stars. <3
Sandra
http://www.crandomblog.com/?p=443
May 12, 2015
When Lenny Strasser's friend Dave Larrabee inlist his help to find his girlfriend Kate, he is very reluctant. Mainly because Kate used to be his girlfriend, after living together for 3 years she walks out on him without a backwards glance. Now that she has done the same to Dave and has been gone for 4 days Dave needs Lennys help to find her. The travel to the depths of 1978's downtown Los Angeles to find Kate.
The Dust Will Answer is filled with adventure in discovering parts of LA as Lenny and Dave search for Kate. The description of these places are so well detailed it felt as if I was actually there. Richard Risemberg left no stone unturned in this amazing tale. You felt every sensation, this tale awoke every sensation for the reader and pulled you in deep and didn't let go until the very end leaving the reader hoping for more.
*Reviewer For Paranormal Romance & Author's That Rock!
The Dust Will Answer is filled with adventure in discovering parts of LA as Lenny and Dave search for Kate. The description of these places are so well detailed it felt as if I was actually there. Richard Risemberg left no stone unturned in this amazing tale. You felt every sensation, this tale awoke every sensation for the reader and pulled you in deep and didn't let go until the very end leaving the reader hoping for more.
*Reviewer For Paranormal Romance & Author's That Rock!
May 12, 2015
When Lenny Strasser's friend Dave Larrabee inlist his help to find his girlfriend Kate, he is very reluctant. Mainly because Kate used to be his girlfriend, after living together for 3 years she walks out on him without a backwards glance. Now that she has done the same to Dave and has been gone for 4 days Dave needs Lennys help to find her. The travel to the depths of 1978's downtown Los Angeles to find Kate.
The Dust Will Answer is filled with adventure in discovering parts of LA as Lenny and Dave search for Kate. The description of these places are so well detailed it felt as if I was actually there. Richard Risemberg left no stone unturned in this amazing tale. You felt every sensation, this tale awoke every sensation for the reader and pulled you in deep and didn't let go until the very end leaving the reader hoping for more.
*Reviewer For Paranormal Romance & Author's That Rock!
May 7, 2015
I loved this book. L.A.-centric with echoes from Fantes great Ask The Dust. Set in the approximate 80s. No cell phones or laptops.A lot of bus tokens. Some nice romantic interest and life lessons here. Almost everything happens between Echo Park and the L.A. river.
It's L.A. Noir with a romantic twist. Violence is attenuated and maturely handled.
Well written and really grabbed me.
Is there a sequel coming? I would look forward to that.
It's L.A. Noir with a romantic twist. Violence is attenuated and maturely handled.
Well written and really grabbed me.
Is there a sequel coming? I would look forward to that.
July 21, 2015
The Dust Will Answer by Richard Risemberg is the author's first attempt to become a mainstream author. Unfortunately, it is not a memorable attempt. One might even call it forgettable. I made it through less than half the book before giving up. The main shortcoming of the book is that it has no real hook to keep the reader's interest for just over 200 pages. The plot consists solely of two guys searching for a girl. Neither of the three are particularly remarkable and that is what hurts this book the most.
This is, of course, merely one reviewer's opinion but I can only give this book 2/5 stars. I do encourage Mr. Risemberg to try again, however and I am confident that his future attempts could meet with more success.
*A copy of the book was the only compensation received for this review.*
This is, of course, merely one reviewer's opinion but I can only give this book 2/5 stars. I do encourage Mr. Risemberg to try again, however and I am confident that his future attempts could meet with more success.
*A copy of the book was the only compensation received for this review.*
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews