What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack Turner Suspense #2
Remembering Dresden
Book 2 in the Jack Turner Suspense Series Young history professor, Jack Turner, takes a retreat at a lakeside cabin just outside of Culpepper, Georgia to work on his doctoral dissertation. The cabin is owned by an ambitious state senator, an inheritance from his father. Inside, everything is exactly the way it was when the old man died ten years ago. While taking a break from his research, Jack snoops through the father’s books and finds an old photo album filled with black-and-white pictures of orphaned children. Intrigued, he continues searching and finds what appears to be evidence of murder and an old leather journal, handwritten entirely in German. Rachel Cook, Jack’s girlfriend, translates the journal for him. What it reveals instantly puts both of their lives in mortal danger. Besides his bestselling inspirational novels, Dan Walsh is quickly becoming known for "unputdownable" novels of suspense.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2016
1134 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Dan Walsh
36 books747 followersDan Walsh is the bestselling author of 27 novels including The Unfinished Gift, When Night Comes and The Reunion. Over 1.3 million copies of his books are in print or downloaded. He's won 3 Carol Awards (finalist 6 times), 4 Selah Awards and 4 of his books have been finalists for RT Review’s Inspirational Book of the Year. His novels have received over 47,000 Amazon reviews (4.7 Avg).
A member of Word Weavers International and ACFW, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 46 years. You can find out more about his books or follow him on other social media sites from his website at http://www.danwalshbooks.com.
A member of Word Weavers International and ACFW, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 46 years. You can find out more about his books or follow him on other social media sites from his website at http://www.danwalshbooks.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
May 7, 2016
When Jack Turner rents a lakeside cabin near Culpepper University to work on his doctoral dissertation, he expects to escape all distractions and focus on his goal. But like so many of us (me included), he begins to seek ways to avoid what he’s supposed to be doing. When he decides to look through a bookcase in the living room, he makes a surprising find. Eventually his curiosity leads him to further material, and now his surprise turns to shock.
Dissertation all but forgotten, Jack and his girlfriend, Rachel Cook, start on a dangerous course to learn how Jack’s discoveries might relate to current-day citizens of the Culpepper area. As the WWII bombing of Dresden weaves its way into the fabric of the documents Jack discovers, he and Rachel have to decide between their personal safety or pursuing the links they’ve unearthed. Which choice is the right thing to do?
Dan Walsh has created another page-turning mystery-suspense to follow When Night Comes, though it’s not necessary to have read the first book to love this one. I thoroughly enjoyed Remembering Dresden. The story caught me on the first page and didn’t let go until the harrowing climax.
I give Remembering Dresden two thumbs up and recommend it highly.
My thanks to the author for providing my review copy.
Dissertation all but forgotten, Jack and his girlfriend, Rachel Cook, start on a dangerous course to learn how Jack’s discoveries might relate to current-day citizens of the Culpepper area. As the WWII bombing of Dresden weaves its way into the fabric of the documents Jack discovers, he and Rachel have to decide between their personal safety or pursuing the links they’ve unearthed. Which choice is the right thing to do?
Dan Walsh has created another page-turning mystery-suspense to follow When Night Comes, though it’s not necessary to have read the first book to love this one. I thoroughly enjoyed Remembering Dresden. The story caught me on the first page and didn’t let go until the harrowing climax.
I give Remembering Dresden two thumbs up and recommend it highly.
My thanks to the author for providing my review copy.
May 17, 2016
Dan walsh is one of my favorite authors (in the top five). No matter what genre he writes he creates amazing stories, and this book is no exception! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked that it was a schmaltzy romance novel, but it had a relationship in the book which was fun to follow. I also like how you have suspicions about everyone who pops up in the book, trying to figure out the ending. It made it hard to put down.
Want to read
January 3, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/3/2018)! 💝
June 19, 2017
This was my first book by Dan. I would happily recommend it to others.
I especially loved the historical part and think maybe that is a direction Dan might consider writing in the future. There were very few places I was jerked out of the book (a German in 1940's wouldn't say 'oh my gosh'!)
I've read a lot of WW2 books and so it was good to see another on a part I wasn't familiar with.
The only bit I didn't like was the casual attitude to guns.
Please write more WW2 books Dan.
I especially loved the historical part and think maybe that is a direction Dan might consider writing in the future. There were very few places I was jerked out of the book (a German in 1940's wouldn't say 'oh my gosh'!)
I've read a lot of WW2 books and so it was good to see another on a part I wasn't familiar with.
The only bit I didn't like was the casual attitude to guns.
Please write more WW2 books Dan.
April 4, 2017
I loved this book! I haven't read the first one in the series, but plan to pick it up; this one stands on its own nicely, despite some references to the first.
The Kindle version I have could have benefited from an additional round of proofreading; that being said, I still enjoyed the plot immensely. It was gripping to the overy end. I do wish that the mole in the police department had been brought to full closure, but maybe it's going to be a continuing plot point in book 3.
All in all, a great, clean read.
The Kindle version I have could have benefited from an additional round of proofreading; that being said, I still enjoyed the plot immensely. It was gripping to the overy end. I do wish that the mole in the police department had been brought to full closure, but maybe it's going to be a continuing plot point in book 3.
All in all, a great, clean read.
October 5, 2018
I've enjoyed both of these in the Jack Turner series so far. Dan Walsh writes easy to read prose (almost too easy at times, but sometimes, that is JUST what I am looking for) and the storylines are always just intriguing enough to keep me turning the page. I'm looking forward to reading the third in this series at some point :)
April 22, 2018
I'm enjoying this series with Jack Turner. Intriguing plots and characters!
April 5, 2019
Poorly written
Intriguing plot with great possibilities, but the book reads as if the target audience is under eighteen, or even younger. If you enjoy careful, well-crafted writing in addition to an engaging story, this book will most likely disappoint. I’m not sure how I managed to finish it. I’ll probably avoid this author going forward.
EXPLANATION:
It seems to me that the characters, as well as the narrator, all have basically the same voice. In fact, I can’t recall anything consistently unique about any of their voices. A well-crafted story includes characters who are as distinct, varied, and unique as the people in our everyday lives, not flat, homogeneous ones. The story also lacks character development; nobody grows or changes significantly.
Mr. Walsh employs boring, limited, and repetitive word choices. This novel also contains many obvious punctuation errors; the same ones are repeated over and over. For example, he often joins two complete sentences with a comma (known as a comma splice, which my high school English teachers penalized severely), along with repeated faulty hyphenation of number-related phrases like “two-dozen” widgets. Also prominent are several recurring usage errors, such as the use of “bring” instead of “take”. These issues occur regardless of which character is speaking or thinking, and even in the omniscient narrator’s voice, which usually is neutral. These are basic problems, folks.
Dangling modifiers create odd and often humorous pictures in my mind— thanks for the smiles, Dan! I usually get a kick out of dangling modifiers. Causing mild confusion and sometimes requiring backtracking, vague pronoun references appear often. A particularly funny one is the following: “Boyd stuck out his hand. ‘I owe you my life, Jack.’ After shaking it, Jack thought about what happened....” I know “it” is supposed to refer to Boyd’s hand, yet I can’t help but wonder, how does one shake another’s life?
Yes, this is “only” fiction, but that doesn’t mean such sloppiness is beneficial to the story, or an author’s legacy as a writer, for that matter. Dan, please brush up on your skills. On the other hand, if your goal is only to produce pulp fiction and a buck, never mind.
I have run in to many novels like this on Kindle over the years, which is disappointing, but this is one of the worst. I suppose that’s why this review reads like a rant. (Sorry you get the brunt of it, Dan.) The book could be so much better if the author would simply hone his skills as a craftsman or musician does, or perhaps if he would collaborate with more skilled storytellers and editors, similar to the way people in the music and movie industries collaborate.
Intriguing plot with great possibilities, but the book reads as if the target audience is under eighteen, or even younger. If you enjoy careful, well-crafted writing in addition to an engaging story, this book will most likely disappoint. I’m not sure how I managed to finish it. I’ll probably avoid this author going forward.
EXPLANATION:
It seems to me that the characters, as well as the narrator, all have basically the same voice. In fact, I can’t recall anything consistently unique about any of their voices. A well-crafted story includes characters who are as distinct, varied, and unique as the people in our everyday lives, not flat, homogeneous ones. The story also lacks character development; nobody grows or changes significantly.
Mr. Walsh employs boring, limited, and repetitive word choices. This novel also contains many obvious punctuation errors; the same ones are repeated over and over. For example, he often joins two complete sentences with a comma (known as a comma splice, which my high school English teachers penalized severely), along with repeated faulty hyphenation of number-related phrases like “two-dozen” widgets. Also prominent are several recurring usage errors, such as the use of “bring” instead of “take”. These issues occur regardless of which character is speaking or thinking, and even in the omniscient narrator’s voice, which usually is neutral. These are basic problems, folks.
Dangling modifiers create odd and often humorous pictures in my mind— thanks for the smiles, Dan! I usually get a kick out of dangling modifiers. Causing mild confusion and sometimes requiring backtracking, vague pronoun references appear often. A particularly funny one is the following: “Boyd stuck out his hand. ‘I owe you my life, Jack.’ After shaking it, Jack thought about what happened....” I know “it” is supposed to refer to Boyd’s hand, yet I can’t help but wonder, how does one shake another’s life?
Yes, this is “only” fiction, but that doesn’t mean such sloppiness is beneficial to the story, or an author’s legacy as a writer, for that matter. Dan, please brush up on your skills. On the other hand, if your goal is only to produce pulp fiction and a buck, never mind.
I have run in to many novels like this on Kindle over the years, which is disappointing, but this is one of the worst. I suppose that’s why this review reads like a rant. (Sorry you get the brunt of it, Dan.) The book could be so much better if the author would simply hone his skills as a craftsman or musician does, or perhaps if he would collaborate with more skilled storytellers and editors, similar to the way people in the music and movie industries collaborate.
October 13, 2023
Remembering Dresden by Dan Walsh
Genre: Suspense, mystery, Christian romance, historical fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 1945 and present day
Location: Dresden, Germany and Culpepper, GA
Characters:
Jack Turner: History professor
Rachel Cook: Jack’s girlfriend
Sergeant Joe Boyd: Culpepper police detective
Hank Jensen: Unofficially Joe’s partner
Senator Burke Wagner: Georgia Senator, dirty
Harold Vandergraf: Senator’s aide, also dirty
A quote from the blurb about this book: “Dan Walsh is quickly becoming known for "unputdownable" novels of suspense.”
Unputdownable is a good way to describe this second book in the Jack Turner series. A history lesson, with such a fascinating narrative as the background to the mystery and suspense element for the rest of the book, that I was entirely absorbed.
Jack Turner is a college history professor in Culpepper, Georgia, taking some time off to finish his dissertation on Dresden during World War II. As he’s tucked away in a cabin in a remote area around a lake, he discovers a loose board in the floor. Lifting it off, he finds a safe containing a scrapbook of WWII pilot obituaries and a journal written in German. Curiosity has him trying to figure out why someone would compile obituaries from different states on different dates throughout several years. When Jack’s girlfriend (Rachel Cook) begins to translate the journal, their findings are anything but sweet, or even legal, and getting the law involved might prove lethal. Someone doesn’t want him nosing in his business. (The suspense during this investigation was gripping, and kept me up way into the night.)
The author clearly studied the effects of bombing a city during World War II. One just thinks of an “explosion”, but the devastating firestorm of thousands of tons of bombs on this peaceful and beautiful city was beyond belief. This was the side story of a family in Dresden trying to find one son who was lost to them as he helped put out fires created when allied forces dropped bombs in waves for three days. Also dramatic, full of tension.
I truly liked this book. As I recall I enjoyed the first in the series and I'm looking forward to the third. I like Mr. Walsh’s writing. Not overly creative nor flowery in any way, but he creates easily visualized scenes, which I appreciate.
Just a little warning: The language is fine except for a commonly used expletive a few times. Not what I’d call foul, but certainly not a word mothers would let their children use. Did I think it was necessary? Not for a Christian book. Was I offended? Not realizing . But it may cause some to shake their heads.
Genre: Suspense, mystery, Christian romance, historical fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 1945 and present day
Location: Dresden, Germany and Culpepper, GA
Characters:
Jack Turner: History professor
Rachel Cook: Jack’s girlfriend
Sergeant Joe Boyd: Culpepper police detective
Hank Jensen: Unofficially Joe’s partner
Senator Burke Wagner: Georgia Senator, dirty
Harold Vandergraf: Senator’s aide, also dirty
A quote from the blurb about this book: “Dan Walsh is quickly becoming known for "unputdownable" novels of suspense.”
Unputdownable is a good way to describe this second book in the Jack Turner series. A history lesson, with such a fascinating narrative as the background to the mystery and suspense element for the rest of the book, that I was entirely absorbed.
Jack Turner is a college history professor in Culpepper, Georgia, taking some time off to finish his dissertation on Dresden during World War II. As he’s tucked away in a cabin in a remote area around a lake, he discovers a loose board in the floor. Lifting it off, he finds a safe containing a scrapbook of WWII pilot obituaries and a journal written in German. Curiosity has him trying to figure out why someone would compile obituaries from different states on different dates throughout several years. When Jack’s girlfriend (Rachel Cook) begins to translate the journal, their findings are anything but sweet, or even legal, and getting the law involved might prove lethal. Someone doesn’t want him nosing in his business. (The suspense during this investigation was gripping, and kept me up way into the night.)
The author clearly studied the effects of bombing a city during World War II. One just thinks of an “explosion”, but the devastating firestorm of thousands of tons of bombs on this peaceful and beautiful city was beyond belief. This was the side story of a family in Dresden trying to find one son who was lost to them as he helped put out fires created when allied forces dropped bombs in waves for three days. Also dramatic, full of tension.
I truly liked this book. As I recall I enjoyed the first in the series and I'm looking forward to the third. I like Mr. Walsh’s writing. Not overly creative nor flowery in any way, but he creates easily visualized scenes, which I appreciate.
Just a little warning: The language is fine except for a commonly used expletive a few times. Not what I’d call foul, but certainly not a word mothers would let their children use. Did I think it was necessary? Not for a Christian book. Was I offended? Not realizing . But it may cause some to shake their heads.
June 25, 2016
Dan Walsh quickly launched himself into my top favorite authors with the publication of his first book, The Unfinished Gift. That is a bit unusual because he started out writing Nicholas Sparks/Karen Kingsbury style books. He has never shifted from being one of my favorite authors, and has started writing some suspense novels. This is the second in a suspense series.
I enjoy a book series where a character or characters are brought back and featured in the whole series. Walsh has created a very likable character in Jack Turner, a young college professor with the propensity to find trouble, or be found by trouble.
Remembering Dresden starts out in the present, and then goes back in history for a few chapters to the bombing of the German city Dresden during World War II. I probably studied that in school, but I don't remember of it..... so that was new to me. Walsh did a great job of presenting a word picture of the damage done by bombs and the terror and destruction.
Then the book goes back to the present for the remainder of the book. The whole book was a great read, but the further I got into it, the better and more suspenseful it got. At stake is the discovery of crimes that are tied to an important political figure who will go to any lengths necessary to keep an old family secret buried. I found the book to be an excellent read that kept me turning pages until I finished it, all in one evening. I believe Walsh's strongest and best writing is done in his other writing genre', but this book and the one that follows it shows that he can hold his own in the Christian suspense genre' very well also.
Although this is the second book in the Jack Turner Suspense Series, it can be read before book 1.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoy a book series where a character or characters are brought back and featured in the whole series. Walsh has created a very likable character in Jack Turner, a young college professor with the propensity to find trouble, or be found by trouble.
Remembering Dresden starts out in the present, and then goes back in history for a few chapters to the bombing of the German city Dresden during World War II. I probably studied that in school, but I don't remember of it..... so that was new to me. Walsh did a great job of presenting a word picture of the damage done by bombs and the terror and destruction.
Then the book goes back to the present for the remainder of the book. The whole book was a great read, but the further I got into it, the better and more suspenseful it got. At stake is the discovery of crimes that are tied to an important political figure who will go to any lengths necessary to keep an old family secret buried. I found the book to be an excellent read that kept me turning pages until I finished it, all in one evening. I believe Walsh's strongest and best writing is done in his other writing genre', but this book and the one that follows it shows that he can hold his own in the Christian suspense genre' very well also.
Although this is the second book in the Jack Turner Suspense Series, it can be read before book 1.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 23, 2016
The first part of the story was outstanding. The reader is thrust into the fateful day when the allies on February 13th-15th , 1945 reigned terror on one of the few cities which had so far escaped the horrors of the RAF and American 8th airforce. The descriptions of the destruction and the survivors has no equal. You will be drawn in and begin wondering if this act was a war crime of necessary to supplement the end of the conflict. This is five star work!
And then we get to the plot. The main characters are Jack Turner, graduate history teacher at Culpepper University and his girlfriend Rachel, who is working on her undergrad degree?
Jack needs to get away from the hectic life of the University so he can start work on his Doctoral thesis. He rents a cabin by the lake, the same lake where a year ago he was part of another murder mystery.
The cabin he rents is fully furnished. The original owner, State Senator Burke Wagner’s father willed the cabin and all its possessions to his only heir.
The senator seldom visits the area as he is more interested in propelling his political career to new heights. Jack decides to “air out” of the bungalow and this launches him into his next adventure when his toe stubs a loose floor board.
I couldn’t decide if this was for YA’s or adults. Why? Once the plot start to thicken, it doesn’t carry the flavor of an adult thriller. Everything came across as too formulized. I found little suspense or areas that shook me up.
Found some grammatical, missing words, etc.
Not bad, but not great. Won’t be reading anymore of the series.
Three stars
And then we get to the plot. The main characters are Jack Turner, graduate history teacher at Culpepper University and his girlfriend Rachel, who is working on her undergrad degree?
Jack needs to get away from the hectic life of the University so he can start work on his Doctoral thesis. He rents a cabin by the lake, the same lake where a year ago he was part of another murder mystery.
The cabin he rents is fully furnished. The original owner, State Senator Burke Wagner’s father willed the cabin and all its possessions to his only heir.
The senator seldom visits the area as he is more interested in propelling his political career to new heights. Jack decides to “air out” of the bungalow and this launches him into his next adventure when his toe stubs a loose floor board.
I couldn’t decide if this was for YA’s or adults. Why? Once the plot start to thicken, it doesn’t carry the flavor of an adult thriller. Everything came across as too formulized. I found little suspense or areas that shook me up.
Found some grammatical, missing words, etc.
Not bad, but not great. Won’t be reading anymore of the series.
Three stars
Read
June 13, 2016Dan Walsh has been a favorite author of mine for many years, and there hasn't been a book of his that I haven't loved! Remembering Dresden is one of his most masterfully written books thus far. The prequel, When Night Comes is another. These books can stand on their own, but some of the characters from When Night Comes carry over to Remembering Dresden. By all means read both of these impressive suspense novels, and read them in sequence!
This novel is actually a novel within a novel based on a background record of historical accounts from WWII. The horrors of that time period are incomprehensible. Moving into the present, shocking information reveals itself, putting Jack and his girlfriend in grave danger.
The book moves at a fast pace, filled with suspense and moments of terror and agonizing events. Characters are very well portrayed with characteristics realistic and believable. The setting is very picturesque and the ambiance of the cabin on a lake is charming, yet a site of horrifying secrets and jeopardy. This novel will keep your attention until the very end.
I highly recommend this powerful and intriguing novel. This is one of my favorite books of the year! Dynamic and impressive!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
This novel is actually a novel within a novel based on a background record of historical accounts from WWII. The horrors of that time period are incomprehensible. Moving into the present, shocking information reveals itself, putting Jack and his girlfriend in grave danger.
The book moves at a fast pace, filled with suspense and moments of terror and agonizing events. Characters are very well portrayed with characteristics realistic and believable. The setting is very picturesque and the ambiance of the cabin on a lake is charming, yet a site of horrifying secrets and jeopardy. This novel will keep your attention until the very end.
I highly recommend this powerful and intriguing novel. This is one of my favorite books of the year! Dynamic and impressive!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
October 13, 2023
I read this book a couple years ago and loved it. While traveling I picked up the audio version figuring my husband would enjoy it while we drove. He did!!
Rather than re-review it, I've included a link to the that page: Original Remembering Dresden reviews
Rather than re-review it, I've included a link to the that page: Original Remembering Dresden reviews
October 11, 2016
An interesting story with enough twists to keep me reading but Walsh's writing style is a little too simple for me. I found there was just something a little off and felt like I was ewading a YA novel. No more Dan Walsh for me; I like a more complex narrative.
June 24, 2017
Great read
Full of suspense, kept my interest so much I could not put it down. Would advise my friends to read it.
Full of suspense, kept my interest so much I could not put it down. Would advise my friends to read it.
November 27, 2017
Culpepper, GA. Professor Jack Turner (Culpepper U, PhD history student, PTSD) & Rachel Cook (Jack’s GF, Culpepper U student) were discussing the horrors that occurred at Dresden, Germany back in 1945.
8 WWII piolets of the 379th. Bombardment Group had been murdered in arsonist/explosions related fires.
DS Joe Boyd (Culpepper PD) got a call to head out to the convenience store.
3 thugs were offended by a jar full of 50 confederate flags.
1 of the, was videotaping the events that were going to happen on his cell phone.
Jack had found a bunch of black/white pictures & WWII memorabilia that was left at the Lake Sampson cabin he/Rachel shared.
Lots of it was in German which he had to use Google to translate.
What was in the envelope Senator Burkhart “Burke” Wagner (D; GA) gave Harold Vandergraf (Burke’s aide)?
2/13/1945, Dresden, Germany. Luther Wilhelm Hausen (8, son/brother), & Ernst Josef Hausen (12, son/brother, Hitler Youth) were crossing the Augustus-Brucke bridge & talking about the events of WII.
The 2 of them were going to meet their sister Eva (28, daughter) at the Kleindeist Bakery (Altmarkt) where she worked.
At home the air-raid sirens went off & they were all headed for the cellar.
The Kleindeist Bakery was destroyed. Most of the town was in flames.
Explosion after explosion came.
What did Harold want Rob Strickland to do?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written dual timeline book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great political thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; JustKindleBooks; Bainbridge Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
8 WWII piolets of the 379th. Bombardment Group had been murdered in arsonist/explosions related fires.
DS Joe Boyd (Culpepper PD) got a call to head out to the convenience store.
3 thugs were offended by a jar full of 50 confederate flags.
1 of the, was videotaping the events that were going to happen on his cell phone.
Jack had found a bunch of black/white pictures & WWII memorabilia that was left at the Lake Sampson cabin he/Rachel shared.
Lots of it was in German which he had to use Google to translate.
What was in the envelope Senator Burkhart “Burke” Wagner (D; GA) gave Harold Vandergraf (Burke’s aide)?
2/13/1945, Dresden, Germany. Luther Wilhelm Hausen (8, son/brother), & Ernst Josef Hausen (12, son/brother, Hitler Youth) were crossing the Augustus-Brucke bridge & talking about the events of WII.
The 2 of them were going to meet their sister Eva (28, daughter) at the Kleindeist Bakery (Altmarkt) where she worked.
At home the air-raid sirens went off & they were all headed for the cellar.
The Kleindeist Bakery was destroyed. Most of the town was in flames.
Explosion after explosion came.
What did Harold want Rob Strickland to do?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written dual timeline book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great political thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; JustKindleBooks; Bainbridge Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
June 7, 2020
Remembering Dresden is the second book in the Jack Turner Suspense series by Dan Walsh. The action in this book begins about a year after the events in book 1, When Night Comes. Main character Jack Turner has joined the university as a history professor while working on his dissertation to acquire his PhD. He has seemingly gotten over the trauma that filled his days and nights the year before and is settling into a routine of work while advancing his relationship with Rachel. All seems good until he discovers a journal and scrapbook at a cabin he is renting — all thoughts of scholarly research go out the window! I liked the growth we see in Jack. He is not nearly as naive (my husband said he was a doofus 😉 ) and has done things to be able to defend himself and Rachel should future threats emerge. And the threats do! If you like a quick-pace in your reading, then this one is for you. Interactions between Jack and Detective Joe Boyd have gone from disbelief and distrust to a mutual respect and willingness to work together to get to the bottom of a decades old case. I see that Walsh has another series featuring Boyd, and the development of his character in this novel leaves me anticipating those books as well. One big plus for me was the description of the Dresden firebombing that involved British and American forces during WWII. The scenes depicted were truly horrific and added greatly to my understanding of that event. That pivotal event in the past set in motion all that Jack uncovers, as well as the attempts to thwart his investigation. Walsh does a great job of blending past and present in a highly readable suspense novel. I purchased the audiobook version and could not stop listening!. The reader is the same as book 1, and did a good job of bringing the characters to life.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
July 6, 2018
While Jack Turner is trying to work on his doctoral dissertation he is staying in a cabin outside Culpepper, Georgia. He hopes to have his dissertation d one within the month he has allotted but a major distraction keeps calling to him. As he looks about the fully furnished cabin he discovers all kinds of books relating to WWII and Germany. He also finds a photo album that was put together by the original owner, apparently a man born in Germany before the war. Now deceased, the man has left behind several pieces of evidence that show he very well might have been a serial killer, exacting his revenge on American War Heroes that bombed his city and killed his family.
Jack turns to his friend, Police Chief Joe Boyd to help him discover the truth, as well as his girlfriend, Rachel Cook. As they all dig deeper into the crime they believe has been committed threats begin to come in on Jack's life making it appear that they have come very close to the truth and a very upset Senator who's father it was that did the killing.
If you haven't read anything by Dan Walsh, you should. I can't wait to read more!
Jack turns to his friend, Police Chief Joe Boyd to help him discover the truth, as well as his girlfriend, Rachel Cook. As they all dig deeper into the crime they believe has been committed threats begin to come in on Jack's life making it appear that they have come very close to the truth and a very upset Senator who's father it was that did the killing.
If you haven't read anything by Dan Walsh, you should. I can't wait to read more!
August 24, 2017
I enjoyed the character and the intrigue of non-coincidence--hey! imagine that, finding a journal his girlfriend can translate about the very subject he planned to make his doctoral thesis in the cabin he was renting...to plan his thesis! Even the characters talk about the odds. But as Walsh brings alive a horrible event in international history, he doesn't excuse anyone for being heroic during a time when there were no heroes. Initial back-and-forth history to WWII and the present to set up the story isn't confusing. Well written from multiple viewpoints. The side characters are somewhat stock. I don't know that state senators have the power Walsh gives, but it's fiction. I kept waiting for the twist in the mystery so I didn't read the end...highly unusual for me. Caveat: the book isn't a mystery, it's suspense--just like it says. Several references to the first book in the series are clear and not very distracting and did their job by encouraging me to read the series.
May 23, 2018
This story started so promisingly with a very accurate portrayal of the terrible and unnecessary Allied fire bombing of Dresden towards to the end of the Second World War. It is great topic to take for a story. This led into a trail of revenge for the bombing. Excellent.
However the rest of the novel just did not live up to the beginning. I found it all a little bit too predictable with no surprises and the denouement rather tame. The heroine was easily rescued, the besieged policeman relieved and the baddie shot first time. Even the dodgy politician could have weasled his way out without too much problem but he too caved in. I was expecting so much more.
Mr Walsh needs also to resist the temptation to explain everyone’s motives and thinking. Let the words and actions show it. So all in all a bit disappointing from what could have been – devious, dark dealings with a bloodthirsty desire for revenge playing out into the modern day.
However the rest of the novel just did not live up to the beginning. I found it all a little bit too predictable with no surprises and the denouement rather tame. The heroine was easily rescued, the besieged policeman relieved and the baddie shot first time. Even the dodgy politician could have weasled his way out without too much problem but he too caved in. I was expecting so much more.
Mr Walsh needs also to resist the temptation to explain everyone’s motives and thinking. Let the words and actions show it. So all in all a bit disappointing from what could have been – devious, dark dealings with a bloodthirsty desire for revenge playing out into the modern day.
February 4, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Book 2 in the Jack Turner Suspense series. I was expecting it to pick up where the first one left off, but it didn't. Took me a bit to adjust to that, but then I was caught up in this new mystery that Jack and Rachel found themselves involved in. Of course, it involves WWII history and that was fascinating to read about. I just loved the history...but then you are back to the present and the mystery continues to evolve and develop into a quite dangerous turn of events.
I loved the way the author goes back in history and tells amazing stories and then comes back to the present day and relates them to some great suspense and mystery. I really like the two main characters, Jack and Rachel. It was a great all-around novel. I'll be buying the 3rd book in the series soon and seeing what kind of trouble they end up in!
I loved the way the author goes back in history and tells amazing stories and then comes back to the present day and relates them to some great suspense and mystery. I really like the two main characters, Jack and Rachel. It was a great all-around novel. I'll be buying the 3rd book in the series soon and seeing what kind of trouble they end up in!
March 11, 2024
I’ve wanted to read a Dan Wash book for a while after hearing him at a Writers Conference. This one, though 2nd in a series, was perfect since I have visited Dresden, the city American bombers destroyed in WWII in our fight against German aggression. Walsh builds a believable story for his Jack Turn character, a history professor working on his dissertation about the Dresden bombing. Turner rented a secluded Georgia cabin from a senator he only knew by name and power. When he accidentally found a scrapbook of Dresden orphaned German children and a Journal written in German, he asked his girlfriend, Rachel, to translate it. As they read the translation, they wandered into a mystery that would threaten their lives and reveal the secrets the Senator had carefully hidden. And now I’m going to have to read another Jack Turner novel!
May 15, 2017
A solid and enjoyable read. The first half of the book was spectacular! The WWII back story and the set-up of the mystery were the most interesting parts of the book - a solid 5 stars. But the mystery is more or less solved about 2/3 of the way through and the path to the ending becomes pretty formulaic at this point. You could precdict everything that was going to happen before it did, and you knew how it would turn out. There was a lot of action - but no surprises. This part of the book rated 3 stars. Average the 3 and the 5 and you get my 4 star score.
I did not read the first installment in this series, but found this a perfectly good stand alone read - although it did make brief references to the previous adventure. And I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
I did not read the first installment in this series, but found this a perfectly good stand alone read - although it did make brief references to the previous adventure. And I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
August 10, 2017
I'll give this one 3.5 stars but I like to round up. I like how the author creates historical fiction within his suspense books because I love to learn something while I'm reading. This one, however took me a while to get into. In fact my husband and I were listening to it and he gave up but right after that it got interesting. I think I would have liked it better if he had gone back and forth intermixing the history with the present day parts because it was the parts of the Dresden bombing that got a little long. I wasn't familiar with the bombing of Dresden but it certainly sounds like it wasn't our finest moment in WW2 history.
Dan Walsh is still one of my favorite authors though these suspense ones are different from what he usually writes.
Dan Walsh is still one of my favorite authors though these suspense ones are different from what he usually writes.
October 22, 2017
This book held my interest. The historical back story which is the basis for the modern day events was fascinating. A sweet little boy from a loving family changed by the horrors of war. It boggles my mind how humans, including in this case, Americans, can do that to other human beings. I found this so surprising and interesting I turned to the internet to read up on the Dresden bombing and view videos and pictures. The author took this horrific historical event and brought it life by inserting his fictional characters into the event. It was hard to believe some of what the author described but I found it documented just as described, and even worse. The modern day story was good.
December 23, 2018
I am not sure how I can say "I loved this" when it's two days before Christmas and I should be reading happy, sweet, Christmas stories; however Dan Walsh, I love this Remembering Dresden story in your Jack Turner Suspense #2 and I look forward to reading #3.
It is so delightful to read good solid suspense and mystery stories without all the swearing that often appears in police related stories and shows. This story does what every story should do - it keeps the reader under suspense, it develops the characters and it teaches some facts, whether history, geography, medical, emotional, etc.
I highly recommend this series.
It is so delightful to read good solid suspense and mystery stories without all the swearing that often appears in police related stories and shows. This story does what every story should do - it keeps the reader under suspense, it develops the characters and it teaches some facts, whether history, geography, medical, emotional, etc.
I highly recommend this series.
August 17, 2021
My great enjoyment of the first book in the series was definitely not a fluke. The author has a way of keeping the reader involved and loving both the story and the main characters! I like the fact that he doesn't go off on irrelevant and unnecessary tangents. And the way he ties up apparently totally unconnected but truly important strings is really good. What appears to be a somewhat straightforward event during World War II became an essential part of a gripping story.
Dan Walsh is a talented and imaginative storyteller. I even went out and bought the third of the four in the series to listen to in the future :-)
Dan Walsh is a talented and imaginative storyteller. I even went out and bought the third of the four in the series to listen to in the future :-)
April 25, 2025
Dresden is the second in the series, A Jack Turner Suspense. I like Jack and Rachel together, they make a good couple. Rachel understands Jack and has a lot of patience with him and he likes how she helps him. I also like the police officers, Hank and Jack. I would like to see more of them in the next book which I will start tomorrow. Was is a terrible thing and what it does to people. I did not know about Dresden before reading this novel. What a terrible thing to happen to civilians and how it can affect them. I was glad to see some references to God this time. I will recommend this book to people who like to read about WWII and a good suspense novel.
December 3, 2017
It may seem strange to say this is a a contemporary and historical fiction novel. However, it is true that the story goes back and forth between the present day and World War II. In the present day, Jack Turner has rented a cabin to work on his dissertation on a World War II topic. In the cabin he discovers a scrapbook and journal that belonged to the original owner, who was orphaned in the famous Dresden bombing raid in World War II. What Jack discovers is unsettling and when someone learns Jack has "opened that can of worms" then his life is once more in danger.
July 30, 2018
Suspense from WWII to today
This book was very interesting, especially the early chapters referring to the bombing of the beautiful city of Dresden, Germany, right at the end of the war against Nazi Germany. The tie-in to today comes with history teacher Jack Turner, who is researching the Dresden bombing and runs across a direct connection from a local senator, to a serial murderer who was a Dresden survivor. Very intriguing, although i wanted to know more about the bombing itself. Book could have used a good proofreader (me!) Still, i reco~end it based on the storyline.
This book was very interesting, especially the early chapters referring to the bombing of the beautiful city of Dresden, Germany, right at the end of the war against Nazi Germany. The tie-in to today comes with history teacher Jack Turner, who is researching the Dresden bombing and runs across a direct connection from a local senator, to a serial murderer who was a Dresden survivor. Very intriguing, although i wanted to know more about the bombing itself. Book could have used a good proofreader (me!) Still, i reco~end it based on the storyline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews