What do you think?
Rate this book
The Check
"What started the checks? Where did the money come from? Who was doing all this in my name? How did I become an instant Billionaire? Why did I become the target of every gangster, terrorist, drug cartel and bad guy in the world... plus law enforcement?" Ronald Sizemore, mailman
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2015
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 27, 2016
This was a strange book. At first, I wasn’t even going to read it. Then I went to Amazon and found the book just to see what it would cost. The price was pretty cheap so I though, “Well, let me read a little about it.”. So, I started reading and reading and reading. I could not stop reading this book! After I bought the book, I continue reading all day long. I finally finished the book at about 1:15 am this morning. So what made me read the book so fast?
Well, first, I’ll have to say the book cover is just stupid looking. I think somebody needs to find another cover, badly. Normally, I would have dismissed the book just by it’s cover and I don’t care what that old saying is. I’ve got too many good military science fiction books to read already. And speaking of that category, this book doesn’t fall into it. In fact, I’m thinking this is barely science fiction. Of course it has to be because none of the things in the book have happened or probably every will happen. But, man, if this book ever came true! Wow!
Ok, let’s say you’re trucking along doing you normal day to day stuff, trying to make enough money to pay for your fancy truck and you apartment or house. You’re just like every other normal American who has an average of $2,100 in you bank account. Oh, you don’t have that much? Well, welcome to the club. Anyway, you go on-line to check your bank balance to make sure you can hit the ATM for some cash and you find out your bank balance is now $100,000 or more! This is kind of what happened to Ron Sizemore, a Postman, you know, Mail Carrier. Not only does he find his bank account growing by leaps and bounds, but the banks are streaming out checks in his name to hundreds and then thousands of people giving them money they absolutely need for some pending tragedy. And he doesn't know any of these people. At first, this gets Mr. Sizemore in trouble because the very first check for $11 when to a kid on his mail route so the kid could buy a hamster! The way this turns out due to Mr. Sizemore’s stupidity, he’s almost arrested for being a pedophile, which he’s definitely not. And that’s just the very beginning of the story.
For some unknown reason, a huge number of bank accounts start opening in Mr. Ron Sizemore’s name and huge amounts of money are transferred into them and then checks are sent out from these accounts for amounts ranging from $11 to $300,000 for a Mrs. Halley’s cancer surgery. And Ron has no control over any of it. He doesn’t know where the money is coming from and he’s absolutely not directing where the checks should go. Eventually, the money starts amounting to millions of dollars with an average available balance of $10,000,000. Because of his near arrest, Ron does the first smart thing and hires an attorney. This is a good attorney and he starts recognizing where this money might lead his client. First he needs to make sure the Feds are aware of what’s happening and then he needs to get Mr. Sizemore some protection. Not all the checks are making everyone happy. Some guys wife just got a check that will allow her to hire a very good divorce lawyer! And then, some of the crime syndicates notice their “secret” accounts are being drained. How is Ron Sizemore, the Mailman doing all of this? When will it stop?
The book reads very fast. It stays interesting because something is always happening either to Ron or his associates. Everyone is getting involved in this all the way up to the President of the United States. If someone says his bank account was suddenly drained for no reason, wouldn’t you begin to wonder about the safety of your bank account? It’s good reading and I certainly wouldn’t mind something like this happening, but in the end, this is a fairy tale where everybody lives happily ever after. Only, you’re a billionaire now! Just read the book!
Well, first, I’ll have to say the book cover is just stupid looking. I think somebody needs to find another cover, badly. Normally, I would have dismissed the book just by it’s cover and I don’t care what that old saying is. I’ve got too many good military science fiction books to read already. And speaking of that category, this book doesn’t fall into it. In fact, I’m thinking this is barely science fiction. Of course it has to be because none of the things in the book have happened or probably every will happen. But, man, if this book ever came true! Wow!
Ok, let’s say you’re trucking along doing you normal day to day stuff, trying to make enough money to pay for your fancy truck and you apartment or house. You’re just like every other normal American who has an average of $2,100 in you bank account. Oh, you don’t have that much? Well, welcome to the club. Anyway, you go on-line to check your bank balance to make sure you can hit the ATM for some cash and you find out your bank balance is now $100,000 or more! This is kind of what happened to Ron Sizemore, a Postman, you know, Mail Carrier. Not only does he find his bank account growing by leaps and bounds, but the banks are streaming out checks in his name to hundreds and then thousands of people giving them money they absolutely need for some pending tragedy. And he doesn't know any of these people. At first, this gets Mr. Sizemore in trouble because the very first check for $11 when to a kid on his mail route so the kid could buy a hamster! The way this turns out due to Mr. Sizemore’s stupidity, he’s almost arrested for being a pedophile, which he’s definitely not. And that’s just the very beginning of the story.
For some unknown reason, a huge number of bank accounts start opening in Mr. Ron Sizemore’s name and huge amounts of money are transferred into them and then checks are sent out from these accounts for amounts ranging from $11 to $300,000 for a Mrs. Halley’s cancer surgery. And Ron has no control over any of it. He doesn’t know where the money is coming from and he’s absolutely not directing where the checks should go. Eventually, the money starts amounting to millions of dollars with an average available balance of $10,000,000. Because of his near arrest, Ron does the first smart thing and hires an attorney. This is a good attorney and he starts recognizing where this money might lead his client. First he needs to make sure the Feds are aware of what’s happening and then he needs to get Mr. Sizemore some protection. Not all the checks are making everyone happy. Some guys wife just got a check that will allow her to hire a very good divorce lawyer! And then, some of the crime syndicates notice their “secret” accounts are being drained. How is Ron Sizemore, the Mailman doing all of this? When will it stop?
The book reads very fast. It stays interesting because something is always happening either to Ron or his associates. Everyone is getting involved in this all the way up to the President of the United States. If someone says his bank account was suddenly drained for no reason, wouldn’t you begin to wonder about the safety of your bank account? It’s good reading and I certainly wouldn’t mind something like this happening, but in the end, this is a fairy tale where everybody lives happily ever after. Only, you’re a billionaire now! Just read the book!
May 31, 2016
A High-Tech Thriller
What a plot-twisting, page-turning mystery with an unbelievable storyline, well-developed characters, strong dialogue and where nothing is what is seems to be and how a harmless gesture can be seen as something vile, taking on a life of its own. At the stroke of a computer key by an unknown hacker, protagonist Ronald Sizemore, an ex-marine and a mail carrier, begins to face the most chilling experiences of his life: millions of dollars are being directed to his bank account. But as the story moves on, there are shocking developments, manipulation by law enforcement and the legal system, political influence, large-scale threats and attacks, attempted murder, leading up to a surprise twist.
What a plot-twisting, page-turning mystery with an unbelievable storyline, well-developed characters, strong dialogue and where nothing is what is seems to be and how a harmless gesture can be seen as something vile, taking on a life of its own. At the stroke of a computer key by an unknown hacker, protagonist Ronald Sizemore, an ex-marine and a mail carrier, begins to face the most chilling experiences of his life: millions of dollars are being directed to his bank account. But as the story moves on, there are shocking developments, manipulation by law enforcement and the legal system, political influence, large-scale threats and attacks, attempted murder, leading up to a surprise twist.
August 9, 2016
As a thriller it is rather simple and we know from the start it will end up alright, and it does. As a “detective” story it is also simple since it is all a question of firing power and we know where superiority at that level is, so there is no surprise either.
It is more interesting to know who and what is doing what is happening to a simple mailman, who does not always ring only twice, or postman if you prefer, who is not Pat. We know there is one person behind and one person who is paying some debt to that ex-marine with a golden star medal or something like that under his post office uniform. But how is it done and what kind of machinery is behind it all? In fact the answer at the end of the book is rather sketchy.
But most of all this book is science fiction, not political science fiction, but social and financial science fiction. Imagine all the money that is being laundered by banks totally seized and channeled to good actions and people in need. Simple you may say, but why isn’t it done if it is that simple? Robin Hood not dead, for sure, but why not have a few of these Robin Hoods in today’s world? No answer in the galleries, of course not, because there is no answer because money is no longer paper money or metal money. Money today is purely electronic money, virtual money. It has no color, no smell and no taste. It only exists in computers and in the cloud, the famous cloud. So why not funnel all the dirty money into worthy causes and to worthy people? Just a few clicks and there you are. There must be higher reasons to prevent that kind of robbery. The book has its answer but it might be slightly more complex.
And yet that’s the idea of this author, a very vicious, sadistic and perverse idea indeed. Let’s program some computers so that a virtual redistributing machine is invented and works all by itself on its own mechanical artificial intelligence and manages to take dirty money wherever it is and to distribute it to the people who need it according to the big data processing this virtual machine is able to do on the Internet to know who needs what and how much. It all starts with a hamster, though it could have been a parakeet, and ends with a puppy, so charming and so sweet, and in-between hundreds of people were killed and trillions of dollars were re-ventilated into millions of bank accounts. That’s absolute mental ecology, perfect and pure ecology of the mind.
This science fiction does not hurt too much after all except that imagining a machine that can on its own intelligence manage humanity is a myth that could come from the rather deficient mind of Ray Kurzweil, but it forgets fundamental elements.
1- The human factor: no machine can replace that human factor, the hugging with love and friendship, the crying and weeping with sadness and unhappiness and distress, the howling and screaming and shouting with suffering and trauma and pain and agony. No machine can even imagine such emotions and sensations, let alone experience them, and they cannot be programmed because they are absolutely unique to each person and each moment.
2- The cultural factor, and in particular the religious or philosophical side of things, that can lead to both cooperation and hostility because culture is an identifying element for every single individual who is necessarily identifying themselves with one particular group rather than another. And language is part of that culture and no machine will never be able to use articulated language the way we do in conversation, in poetry, in literature, in research, and even in dreams, first of all because that was an invention of humanity as an animal species.
3- The need for competition among human beings to have anything looking like progress or development. No human being does anything without the simple motivation of getting better results, improving one’s own life and the life of one’s close associates, or getting rewarded in a way or another with fame, money or authority also called power. Take that off and we do not have a human society any more: we can imagine a society entirely controlled, organized and managed by machines, but then it no longer is a human society.
So the story is nicely romantic but it is a bed time story for mid-teenagers with just enough female innuendo to satisfy the impulses of males in that age bracket. They might get some dreams out of it, but rather wet dreams than nightmares, though you should not forget mares are female horses after all and the readers are potential.stallions.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU
It is more interesting to know who and what is doing what is happening to a simple mailman, who does not always ring only twice, or postman if you prefer, who is not Pat. We know there is one person behind and one person who is paying some debt to that ex-marine with a golden star medal or something like that under his post office uniform. But how is it done and what kind of machinery is behind it all? In fact the answer at the end of the book is rather sketchy.
But most of all this book is science fiction, not political science fiction, but social and financial science fiction. Imagine all the money that is being laundered by banks totally seized and channeled to good actions and people in need. Simple you may say, but why isn’t it done if it is that simple? Robin Hood not dead, for sure, but why not have a few of these Robin Hoods in today’s world? No answer in the galleries, of course not, because there is no answer because money is no longer paper money or metal money. Money today is purely electronic money, virtual money. It has no color, no smell and no taste. It only exists in computers and in the cloud, the famous cloud. So why not funnel all the dirty money into worthy causes and to worthy people? Just a few clicks and there you are. There must be higher reasons to prevent that kind of robbery. The book has its answer but it might be slightly more complex.
And yet that’s the idea of this author, a very vicious, sadistic and perverse idea indeed. Let’s program some computers so that a virtual redistributing machine is invented and works all by itself on its own mechanical artificial intelligence and manages to take dirty money wherever it is and to distribute it to the people who need it according to the big data processing this virtual machine is able to do on the Internet to know who needs what and how much. It all starts with a hamster, though it could have been a parakeet, and ends with a puppy, so charming and so sweet, and in-between hundreds of people were killed and trillions of dollars were re-ventilated into millions of bank accounts. That’s absolute mental ecology, perfect and pure ecology of the mind.
This science fiction does not hurt too much after all except that imagining a machine that can on its own intelligence manage humanity is a myth that could come from the rather deficient mind of Ray Kurzweil, but it forgets fundamental elements.
1- The human factor: no machine can replace that human factor, the hugging with love and friendship, the crying and weeping with sadness and unhappiness and distress, the howling and screaming and shouting with suffering and trauma and pain and agony. No machine can even imagine such emotions and sensations, let alone experience them, and they cannot be programmed because they are absolutely unique to each person and each moment.
2- The cultural factor, and in particular the religious or philosophical side of things, that can lead to both cooperation and hostility because culture is an identifying element for every single individual who is necessarily identifying themselves with one particular group rather than another. And language is part of that culture and no machine will never be able to use articulated language the way we do in conversation, in poetry, in literature, in research, and even in dreams, first of all because that was an invention of humanity as an animal species.
3- The need for competition among human beings to have anything looking like progress or development. No human being does anything without the simple motivation of getting better results, improving one’s own life and the life of one’s close associates, or getting rewarded in a way or another with fame, money or authority also called power. Take that off and we do not have a human society any more: we can imagine a society entirely controlled, organized and managed by machines, but then it no longer is a human society.
So the story is nicely romantic but it is a bed time story for mid-teenagers with just enough female innuendo to satisfy the impulses of males in that age bracket. They might get some dreams out of it, but rather wet dreams than nightmares, though you should not forget mares are female horses after all and the readers are potential.stallions.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU
October 7, 2016
Clair Harmony has a very good imagination! This book will catch your attention from the first chapter to the end. Just imagine being able to help people in your community and put a strain on drug lords. There are a couple of parts that could have been left out, it did not flow with the rest of the story.
Overall, it was a good story, nice plot.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, it was a good story, nice plot.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2016
This review was written in return for a copy of the book.
At some time in your life, usually in the early school years, you may have had this question posed to you. “What would you do if you had all the money in the world?” There are variations of this but you get the idea. In The Check by Claire Wm. Harmony postal carrier Ronald Sizemore never has to think about answering this question. It is not that he has all the money in the world, but he has as much as he wants. In fact, he has more than he wants. He has no idea why, but every time he writes a check, for whatever purpose, it is honored. Then, the money in his checking account is renewed to at least the amount needed, but usually much more.
To further complicate things, Ron doesn’t even have to write checks for people who are in need. They are written for him. He doesn’t even have to know the people in need. They are identified for him. And finally, he doesn’t even have to send checks. They are sent for him. He only knows that he is not doing it; he has no idea who has changed him into a conduit of funds. Money does not only go into and out of his account; additional accounts have been created for him, at one point 832 accounts.
The reader knows early that the recipients of funds are people in need, although need is loosely defined. An early recipient felt that he needed a hamster. Others needed expensive surgery or a catch-up on soon to be in default mortgages. Organizations and charities also receive funds according to criteria undisclosed to the funnel, Ron. Some organizations and banks lose money. Considering themselves robbed, they try to complain. Somewhere about one-third into the novel, it becomes apparent that money is being taken from criminal enterprises and redistributed to those in need. Once the reader knows this, the story proceeds as a story of Robin Hood, but on technology-driven steroids.
The story has no surprises. I couldn’t write a spoiler if I wanted to. There is a love interest. No surprises. There is a political element. How can Ron do what governments cannot? The answer is not a surprise. There is a mystery. Who is the source of funds? OK, a little bit of a mystery. There are several pages devoted to violent clashes between the criminal elements seeking revenge against Ron; it is their money being diverted. These scenes of violence, more suited to a military exercise, are where the novel drags a bit. By this point we know that no matter how well armed the bad guys are, Ron’s forces, although smaller, are better trained and on the side of good. No surprises.
This is a pleasant weekend read when you just feel like reading rather than weekend reruns on TV.
At some time in your life, usually in the early school years, you may have had this question posed to you. “What would you do if you had all the money in the world?” There are variations of this but you get the idea. In The Check by Claire Wm. Harmony postal carrier Ronald Sizemore never has to think about answering this question. It is not that he has all the money in the world, but he has as much as he wants. In fact, he has more than he wants. He has no idea why, but every time he writes a check, for whatever purpose, it is honored. Then, the money in his checking account is renewed to at least the amount needed, but usually much more.
To further complicate things, Ron doesn’t even have to write checks for people who are in need. They are written for him. He doesn’t even have to know the people in need. They are identified for him. And finally, he doesn’t even have to send checks. They are sent for him. He only knows that he is not doing it; he has no idea who has changed him into a conduit of funds. Money does not only go into and out of his account; additional accounts have been created for him, at one point 832 accounts.
The reader knows early that the recipients of funds are people in need, although need is loosely defined. An early recipient felt that he needed a hamster. Others needed expensive surgery or a catch-up on soon to be in default mortgages. Organizations and charities also receive funds according to criteria undisclosed to the funnel, Ron. Some organizations and banks lose money. Considering themselves robbed, they try to complain. Somewhere about one-third into the novel, it becomes apparent that money is being taken from criminal enterprises and redistributed to those in need. Once the reader knows this, the story proceeds as a story of Robin Hood, but on technology-driven steroids.
The story has no surprises. I couldn’t write a spoiler if I wanted to. There is a love interest. No surprises. There is a political element. How can Ron do what governments cannot? The answer is not a surprise. There is a mystery. Who is the source of funds? OK, a little bit of a mystery. There are several pages devoted to violent clashes between the criminal elements seeking revenge against Ron; it is their money being diverted. These scenes of violence, more suited to a military exercise, are where the novel drags a bit. By this point we know that no matter how well armed the bad guys are, Ron’s forces, although smaller, are better trained and on the side of good. No surprises.
This is a pleasant weekend read when you just feel like reading rather than weekend reruns on TV.
July 7, 2016
It’s definitely worth the read. He offered the book free for an unbiased review, but I chose to purchase it because the Look Inside had enough to interest me. It also left me free of guilt if I didn’t care for the rest of the book. Not to worry, this is a guilt free review because I liked the book, and I recommend it as an enjoyable, exciting read.
I found it fast paced, action packed, interesting, and having a plot theme I’ve not previously encountered. Robin Hood in the computer age, and a flavor of what many of us hope our intelligence agencies can really accomplish if required.
The adage about not judging a book by its cover applies here. While vaguely symbolic of the story line, I don't think the cover does the national and global scope of the story justice. It merely hints at the mail carrier turned hero, which criminals (and worse) soon want to take vengeance against.
This isn't a spoiler, since it's obvious early that money is being manipulated via a mysterious high tech software program, controlled by an unknown source, which can find and transfer hidden funds from nefarious accounts, and mail checks written on the account of the innocent mailman. A LOT of money!
However, the story quickly escalates beyond an image of a man that appears to be an armed thug, stealing a check from a mailbox. The former decorated Marine Corps vet is a simple civil servant, and is understandably slow to resume his mantle as a warrior. Except, I feel he was made out to be a bit too slow to adapt to the hostile world that comes after him. He sometimes seems more awkward under fire than required for the story, for the years since his discharge. He definitely does step up, and remains true to his character’s sense of honor, integrity, and bravery.
Not sure, but I think this was a first novel for Mr. Harmony. He did well, and should keep writing. One minor flaw: Our hero, Sizemore, won a Bronze Star in the first part of the book, and later, it’s a Silver Star. I’ve no doubt this trivial detail will be reconciled in a later edition. Overall, an excellent job.
I found it fast paced, action packed, interesting, and having a plot theme I’ve not previously encountered. Robin Hood in the computer age, and a flavor of what many of us hope our intelligence agencies can really accomplish if required.
The adage about not judging a book by its cover applies here. While vaguely symbolic of the story line, I don't think the cover does the national and global scope of the story justice. It merely hints at the mail carrier turned hero, which criminals (and worse) soon want to take vengeance against.
This isn't a spoiler, since it's obvious early that money is being manipulated via a mysterious high tech software program, controlled by an unknown source, which can find and transfer hidden funds from nefarious accounts, and mail checks written on the account of the innocent mailman. A LOT of money!
However, the story quickly escalates beyond an image of a man that appears to be an armed thug, stealing a check from a mailbox. The former decorated Marine Corps vet is a simple civil servant, and is understandably slow to resume his mantle as a warrior. Except, I feel he was made out to be a bit too slow to adapt to the hostile world that comes after him. He sometimes seems more awkward under fire than required for the story, for the years since his discharge. He definitely does step up, and remains true to his character’s sense of honor, integrity, and bravery.
Not sure, but I think this was a first novel for Mr. Harmony. He did well, and should keep writing. One minor flaw: Our hero, Sizemore, won a Bronze Star in the first part of the book, and later, it’s a Silver Star. I’ve no doubt this trivial detail will be reconciled in a later edition. Overall, an excellent job.
July 23, 2016
The Check by Clair Harmony is a well written book with an unusual and imaginative plot. I had scarcely read two pages when I was already thinking, ‘I’m gonna love this book.’
And so I did, for the most part. Harmony clearly knows his computers and has a lot of knowledge about how governments, banks and big business all work. The escalation of the worth of the checks that Ron was dealing with takes the reader’s breath away but the good deeds, the gratitude of the people, and the repetitive ilk of the stories cause the novel to sag somewhat in the middle.
The story is nicely paced in the first half or so, and does indeed hold the readers interest. People will definitely enjoy this book. But it began to lose credibility for me was when Ron, a decorated marine, didn’t seem to have a clue as to how he should act when being fired upon. He had to rely on a female protector to force him down to the floor. On another occasion, when he was being interviewed on television and a gunman broke into the studio and started shooting, Ron sits petrified and allows four shots to be fired in his direction. This from a soldier who ran through a hail of bullets in war to save a friend? Worse, when he did try to move, he got his leg caught in the chair he was sitting in and began stumbling all over the place. Sorry, but I found this really hard to swallow. A decorated marine’s training would never permit such ridiculously inept behaviours.
Some excitement and suspense does develop when criminal gangs try to assassinate Ron and the team have to try to protect him. There is action, but for me it was strangely at one remove. As a reader I wanted to be involved but it was like watching a newscast. And always I was waiting for the Jason Bourne moment when the real Ron would emerge. Sadly, he never did.
The original premise of the book was brilliant. I can’t help thinking that the author somehow let slip an opportunity to write something great here.
And so I did, for the most part. Harmony clearly knows his computers and has a lot of knowledge about how governments, banks and big business all work. The escalation of the worth of the checks that Ron was dealing with takes the reader’s breath away but the good deeds, the gratitude of the people, and the repetitive ilk of the stories cause the novel to sag somewhat in the middle.
The story is nicely paced in the first half or so, and does indeed hold the readers interest. People will definitely enjoy this book. But it began to lose credibility for me was when Ron, a decorated marine, didn’t seem to have a clue as to how he should act when being fired upon. He had to rely on a female protector to force him down to the floor. On another occasion, when he was being interviewed on television and a gunman broke into the studio and started shooting, Ron sits petrified and allows four shots to be fired in his direction. This from a soldier who ran through a hail of bullets in war to save a friend? Worse, when he did try to move, he got his leg caught in the chair he was sitting in and began stumbling all over the place. Sorry, but I found this really hard to swallow. A decorated marine’s training would never permit such ridiculously inept behaviours.
Some excitement and suspense does develop when criminal gangs try to assassinate Ron and the team have to try to protect him. There is action, but for me it was strangely at one remove. As a reader I wanted to be involved but it was like watching a newscast. And always I was waiting for the Jason Bourne moment when the real Ron would emerge. Sadly, he never did.
The original premise of the book was brilliant. I can’t help thinking that the author somehow let slip an opportunity to write something great here.
June 1, 2016
Great idea, devil in the details....
What a great idea! Someone is putting money in Ronald Sizemore’s bank account and is then sending checks out to people in need. The money is being drained from every imaginable drug dealer, terrorist, or criminal’s account and is being used for good. This sounds reminiscent of a story one might have seen on Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone.
The idea is good and the novel holds together for about the first third of the book. Unfortunately, it then deteriorates from cliche to unbelievable.
Harmony does a good job of setting up the plot and brings the reader in deep. I found myself turning pages anxious to see where this was going and who was causing the money transfers. The story begins to fall apart after Sizemore hires a security firm to protect him from threats on his life. Without giving anything away, the decisions made for his protection soon become unbelievable.
The novel could use a rewrite. Harmony mixes up the names of his characters. Sid Madras is the man Sizemore rescued as a marine but is called Sgt Pollock in a TV interview. There are inconsistencies that throw the reader out of the story. For example, when the head of the security team calls to set up a meeting, he says he will be bringing egg McMuffins and coffee in the morning. When he gets there he has egg McMuffins and says he didn’t have time to get anything better as if it was never said before. There are more plot holes here than potholes on a California highway.
This good idea just needed a good editor to flesh out the details that would have made this a thought provoking read, as opposed to a read that ended with me saying, “Really?”
This one gets two stars.
What a great idea! Someone is putting money in Ronald Sizemore’s bank account and is then sending checks out to people in need. The money is being drained from every imaginable drug dealer, terrorist, or criminal’s account and is being used for good. This sounds reminiscent of a story one might have seen on Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone.
The idea is good and the novel holds together for about the first third of the book. Unfortunately, it then deteriorates from cliche to unbelievable.
Harmony does a good job of setting up the plot and brings the reader in deep. I found myself turning pages anxious to see where this was going and who was causing the money transfers. The story begins to fall apart after Sizemore hires a security firm to protect him from threats on his life. Without giving anything away, the decisions made for his protection soon become unbelievable.
The novel could use a rewrite. Harmony mixes up the names of his characters. Sid Madras is the man Sizemore rescued as a marine but is called Sgt Pollock in a TV interview. There are inconsistencies that throw the reader out of the story. For example, when the head of the security team calls to set up a meeting, he says he will be bringing egg McMuffins and coffee in the morning. When he gets there he has egg McMuffins and says he didn’t have time to get anything better as if it was never said before. There are more plot holes here than potholes on a California highway.
This good idea just needed a good editor to flesh out the details that would have made this a thought provoking read, as opposed to a read that ended with me saying, “Really?”
This one gets two stars.
July 13, 2016
The plot is very imaginative, so much so that it's hard to suspend disbelief. I found the book engaging enough to continue reading in spite of some editing issues and the unbelievability of the storyline.
Ron Sizemore is caught up in something beyond his control when millions of dollars pass through accounts in his name and millions are distributed to individuals in need and worthy causes. The money is being taken out of accounts of terrorists, criminals, drug cartels, and other bad guys. Consequently, they are unable to continue their nefarious activities. In the end, the perpetrator is revealed, but there is no explanation of how the computer program knew someone would be diagnosed with cancer before it happened.
My main issue with the book is that Sizemore and the computer geek who was the instigator were treated as heroes and allowed to continue their Robin Hood enterprise. Is it really okay for so much power to be concentrated in the hands of a few people, especially people who were not chosen in an election? Is it really acceptable to bring down criminal enterprises by stealing from them and denying them due process of law, opening the door to bring down people and organizations erroneously identified as evil? Is money really the only answer to all the world's problems?
As an American and a Christian, my answer to the above questions is "no."
I received a free book from the author in exchange for this honest, unbiased review.
Ron Sizemore is caught up in something beyond his control when millions of dollars pass through accounts in his name and millions are distributed to individuals in need and worthy causes. The money is being taken out of accounts of terrorists, criminals, drug cartels, and other bad guys. Consequently, they are unable to continue their nefarious activities. In the end, the perpetrator is revealed, but there is no explanation of how the computer program knew someone would be diagnosed with cancer before it happened.
My main issue with the book is that Sizemore and the computer geek who was the instigator were treated as heroes and allowed to continue their Robin Hood enterprise. Is it really okay for so much power to be concentrated in the hands of a few people, especially people who were not chosen in an election? Is it really acceptable to bring down criminal enterprises by stealing from them and denying them due process of law, opening the door to bring down people and organizations erroneously identified as evil? Is money really the only answer to all the world's problems?
As an American and a Christian, my answer to the above questions is "no."
I received a free book from the author in exchange for this honest, unbiased review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2016
Received free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was something that I wasn’t really sure I was going to like. There isn’t really a blurb to go off of so I felt like I was going in blind.
I never really felt any kind of connection with the characters, it never seemed to really get inside their heads, it was all just surface stuff. I felt like the romance happened too fast, although that might not be the case because I didn’t really get a sense of time until the author mentioned three years later.
I mean, big things were happening so I should not have been shocked that so much time had passed but like I said, I didn’t really get a sense of time.
The book did run a little long, even though the chapters were short. I feel like there could have been more to this story, something more sinister. At the beginning, I felt like something horrible was going to happen but as the story went on, that feeling went away and didn’t really pan out anyway.
The ending was a little surprising but I think it would have been even more surprising had there been any connection to the characters. The idea seems like a good one but I do think there could have been more psychological thriller type stuff going on or maybe that’s just because of everything else I’ve read, maybe I’m being a little biased.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
This was something that I wasn’t really sure I was going to like. There isn’t really a blurb to go off of so I felt like I was going in blind.
I never really felt any kind of connection with the characters, it never seemed to really get inside their heads, it was all just surface stuff. I felt like the romance happened too fast, although that might not be the case because I didn’t really get a sense of time until the author mentioned three years later.
I mean, big things were happening so I should not have been shocked that so much time had passed but like I said, I didn’t really get a sense of time.
The book did run a little long, even though the chapters were short. I feel like there could have been more to this story, something more sinister. At the beginning, I felt like something horrible was going to happen but as the story went on, that feeling went away and didn’t really pan out anyway.
The ending was a little surprising but I think it would have been even more surprising had there been any connection to the characters. The idea seems like a good one but I do think there could have been more psychological thriller type stuff going on or maybe that’s just because of everything else I’ve read, maybe I’m being a little biased.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
June 28, 2016
Ron Sizemore is a mail carrier who used to be a marine. When a little boy from down the street asked to meet him to thank him Ron didn't know what it was about. He wanted to thank Ron for the $11 check he sent. But Ron didn't send a check. Someone was sending checks to everyone in town (and around the world) who needed it for any reason whether it was $11 for a hamster or $300,000 for cancer surgery and the checks were drawn on Ron's account. Not only that but money was being deposited as quickly as it was going out and Ron had no idea what was happening. He wasn't sending out the checks or making the deposits showing up in his account.
The Check is a great book! It's well written with a unique plot that keeps you on your toes. I easily got caught up in this fantastic story. It's scary to think this could actually happen. The amazing plot was so unusual and compelling that I didn't want to stop reading. I never suspected who was responsible for all the money coming and going. It was quite a surprise to me. Ron was the main character and I really liked his kindness as well as his ability to deal with his new wealth. He was the perfect character to handle these events.
I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.
The Check is a great book! It's well written with a unique plot that keeps you on your toes. I easily got caught up in this fantastic story. It's scary to think this could actually happen. The amazing plot was so unusual and compelling that I didn't want to stop reading. I never suspected who was responsible for all the money coming and going. It was quite a surprise to me. Ron was the main character and I really liked his kindness as well as his ability to deal with his new wealth. He was the perfect character to handle these events.
I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.
July 11, 2016
Ok, when I was asked to review this book I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't expected to read the book in one sitting and find myself wishing I could read faster. From the very first chapter is hooks you into the story line and you are just trying to read faster and faster to find out what in the world is going on and who is behind it all. I don't want to spoil it for any one by giving away to much but this book is a must read. For the price he is selling it and the entertainment you will get out of it makes it an easy decision, you need this book in your collection. The character development is great, the plot is nothing I have heard of before except the old robin hood type stories.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read, it is fairly easy to read and is great to pass a day or two if you are looking to relax with a good book. Some reviewers talk about holes in the plot but I read a book fore enjoyment not to sit there and see how many mistakes the author made while writing it. The only negative I have to say as others have mentioned is the cover of the book, please find a different cover that will do this book justice. I was asked to review this book and I got it for free in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read, it is fairly easy to read and is great to pass a day or two if you are looking to relax with a good book. Some reviewers talk about holes in the plot but I read a book fore enjoyment not to sit there and see how many mistakes the author made while writing it. The only negative I have to say as others have mentioned is the cover of the book, please find a different cover that will do this book justice. I was asked to review this book and I got it for free in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
August 5, 2016
I like the premise of this book - it is original and engaging but after a strong start it loses steam and I felt a disconnect with the story that took away some of my engagement in the story and the characters. If the second half of the book was written along the same lines as the first half - it would have been really great but I think it became too ambitious and ended up faltering in how it was executed.
Some of the actions of the main character - just baffled me - as well as the lawyer giving him information that just didn't seem like ti made sense. I like the idea of the modern day Robin Hood - in fact, I like that idea a lot but it could have been executed a little cleaner and a little tidier. There is some great action scenes and the characters are likeable but it was just hard to connect with them.
This is an author that I would read again though - this one book fell a little flat but I'd give it 3.5 out of five stars with a caveat that I would certainly enjoy reading more of their material in the future.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Some of the actions of the main character - just baffled me - as well as the lawyer giving him information that just didn't seem like ti made sense. I like the idea of the modern day Robin Hood - in fact, I like that idea a lot but it could have been executed a little cleaner and a little tidier. There is some great action scenes and the characters are likeable but it was just hard to connect with them.
This is an author that I would read again though - this one book fell a little flat but I'd give it 3.5 out of five stars with a caveat that I would certainly enjoy reading more of their material in the future.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2016
Typically this is not my favorite type of book to read, but when contacted by the author, Clair Harmony to read "The Check" my interested was peaked. As I started the book I found it to be fast paced which quickly pulled you in.
Ron, a postal carrier, is the main character who comes into the spotlight after someone has tampered with his accounts. Sending checks to people for things they needed and didn't even realize they would have a need but did so anyway. Only it isn't Ron who is sending the checks. What is going to happen to Ron? Who is behind these mysterious checks?
Throughout the story there are quick twists and turns which keep you interested and wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. This book is not only a mystery but has a romantic line through the story. Which appeals to both men and women reading the book.
I must say that I enjoyed this book and believe others will as well.
Ron, a postal carrier, is the main character who comes into the spotlight after someone has tampered with his accounts. Sending checks to people for things they needed and didn't even realize they would have a need but did so anyway. Only it isn't Ron who is sending the checks. What is going to happen to Ron? Who is behind these mysterious checks?
Throughout the story there are quick twists and turns which keep you interested and wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. This book is not only a mystery but has a romantic line through the story. Which appeals to both men and women reading the book.
I must say that I enjoyed this book and believe others will as well.
July 20, 2016
Fairy tale on redistribution of wealth repossessed from organised crime and terrorist organisations
A mystery of generous checks reaching the mail boxes of ordinary needy residents provided an intriguing start to this novel. Not entirely a fantasy the notion that a computer geek would one day write a program sophisticated enough to rob the rich electronically. However, the likelihood the poor masses will the the beneficiary of these illegal bank withdrawals, would be a pie in the sky because people are just not that kind and selfless in the real world. The source of ill gotten money in our real world need not be from drug lords or terrorists gangs like ISIS. But rather from the US Federal Reserves money printing machine where quantitative easing proceeds day and night, non stops, feeding to the worlds insatiable lust for the American greenback.
A mystery of generous checks reaching the mail boxes of ordinary needy residents provided an intriguing start to this novel. Not entirely a fantasy the notion that a computer geek would one day write a program sophisticated enough to rob the rich electronically. However, the likelihood the poor masses will the the beneficiary of these illegal bank withdrawals, would be a pie in the sky because people are just not that kind and selfless in the real world. The source of ill gotten money in our real world need not be from drug lords or terrorists gangs like ISIS. But rather from the US Federal Reserves money printing machine where quantitative easing proceeds day and night, non stops, feeding to the worlds insatiable lust for the American greenback.
May 31, 2016
Great airplane reading - made the trip across the Pacific go much faster than usual. I really enjoyed this creative story told in an easy to read style. It would be great movie material along the lines of Eagle Eye. Carefree postman, Ron, has his life altered by an unknown force. He is unwittingly transformed from an everyday ordinary man to a business tycoon who has to fear for his life daily. Full of suspense and thrills, yet surprisingly light-hearted, this is a feel-good story with a satisfying ending. The unique premise alone was enough to keep me reading, but the additional thrills and intrigue added to the tale. Glad to have read it.
June 15, 2016
Cool concept!
This was a really interesting story line. An "average joe" is put in a situation that many of us would not have handled so well. It speaks about the best of our character as Americans and our political system and society and the worst. It unfolds around this unique situation and while the situations is somewhat fanciful, the resulting effect o the lives of he individuals is very realistic. I hope somewhere right now someone is figuring out how to make this reality. I only hope the person they choose has the courage and fierce individuality that only Americans seem to uniquely posses.
This was a really interesting story line. An "average joe" is put in a situation that many of us would not have handled so well. It speaks about the best of our character as Americans and our political system and society and the worst. It unfolds around this unique situation and while the situations is somewhat fanciful, the resulting effect o the lives of he individuals is very realistic. I hope somewhere right now someone is figuring out how to make this reality. I only hope the person they choose has the courage and fierce individuality that only Americans seem to uniquely posses.
June 16, 2016
Received free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Intriguing idea at the foundation of this book. Unfortunately, the writing itself needs a lot of polish and an editor. The basic idea was interesting enough, and the book short enough, that I finished it, even though the prose and story line were often painfully amateurish.
I would have given it 2.5 stars, but had to choose between 2 and 3, so went with 3, due to the respect I have for anyone writing a book.
Intriguing idea at the foundation of this book. Unfortunately, the writing itself needs a lot of polish and an editor. The basic idea was interesting enough, and the book short enough, that I finished it, even though the prose and story line were often painfully amateurish.
I would have given it 2.5 stars, but had to choose between 2 and 3, so went with 3, due to the respect I have for anyone writing a book.
August 19, 2016
This book is different – an unusual plot, well written, but for me it slows somewhat in the middle. I also had a problem with a decorated, for bravery, ex soldier being unaware of what to do when bullets are flying around.
Overall I enjoyed the book because the author has an easy style that flows.
Overall I enjoyed the book because the author has an easy style that flows.
May 29, 2016
Review of. "The Check"
In all honesty, this story plot was a bit too "far-fetched" for my taste. The author truly has a wild imagination in my humble opinion. Sorry, I just didn't care for it.
In all honesty, this story plot was a bit too "far-fetched" for my taste. The author truly has a wild imagination in my humble opinion. Sorry, I just didn't care for it.
April 22, 2015
Very interesting idea
I enjoyed the book very much. It makes really you think of possibilities. It is a very original plot. I would definitely recommend it.
I enjoyed the book very much. It makes really you think of possibilities. It is a very original plot. I would definitely recommend it.
Read
June 24, 2016Loved this book from the first page. Would recommend as a good read..
April 23, 2017
A unique story
Harmony wrote an interesting story. I find it difficult to see it as a sci-fi book, but it is more like a cross between dystopia and utopia, what would be in the middle? Anyway, don't judge a book by it's cover. The cover does not do the book justice. It's one of those stories that keep the reader guessing and trying to figure out what will happen next. Most of the characters are well-developed. It was a book worth reading.
Harmony wrote an interesting story. I find it difficult to see it as a sci-fi book, but it is more like a cross between dystopia and utopia, what would be in the middle? Anyway, don't judge a book by it's cover. The cover does not do the book justice. It's one of those stories that keep the reader guessing and trying to figure out what will happen next. Most of the characters are well-developed. It was a book worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews