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San Juan Islands Mystery #1
The Writer
College journalist Adele Plank has been granted a rare interview with one-time bestselling author, Decklan Stone. He is a man largely withdrawn from the world following the tragic death of his young wife twenty-seven years earlier. Adele ventures to the writer's remote, private-island home in the beautiful San Juan Islands, and there begins a journey of dangerous discovery that will have her scrambling to unravel a mystery far more shocking and deadly than she could have ever imagined.
238 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2015
2176 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Ulsterman
89 books176 followersD.W. Ulsterman is the bestselling author of THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS MYSTERY SERIES.
His most recent novel, THE TRUTHING TREE, is now available.
All of his novels are available here: http://goo.gl/kEPU6R
"Mr. Ulsterman doesn't disappoint."
-THRILLER JUNKIE
His most recent novel, THE TRUTHING TREE, is now available.
All of his novels are available here: http://goo.gl/kEPU6R
"Mr. Ulsterman doesn't disappoint."
-THRILLER JUNKIE
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
August 19, 2017
The Writer (San Juan Islands Mystery #1) by D.W. Ulsterman is a kindle scout book with an excellent mystery. It can be a little gross in places but there is lots of intrigue, suspense, and a great thriller.
November 28, 2016
"Time" you spend with this book, won't be wasted.
But I have to warn cat lovers like me, please be prepared. Had to walk away from my Kindle for awhile, but had to find out what this book was about. Very glad I did. Father lost his wife at the child birth, child suffers and has mental problems. Husband lost his wife, lives like recluse. He is the writer, after twenty-seven years grants an interview. Reporter Adele has suspects their is more to his wife's drowning and some people that lives around this beautiful island. You will be very happy, also same time you'll be very sad. Keep reading, you'll love it. Also find out why about the "Time".
But I have to warn cat lovers like me, please be prepared. Had to walk away from my Kindle for awhile, but had to find out what this book was about. Very glad I did. Father lost his wife at the child birth, child suffers and has mental problems. Husband lost his wife, lives like recluse. He is the writer, after twenty-seven years grants an interview. Reporter Adele has suspects their is more to his wife's drowning and some people that lives around this beautiful island. You will be very happy, also same time you'll be very sad. Keep reading, you'll love it. Also find out why about the "Time".
January 4, 2017
Don't waste your time. Starts out good. Goes down hill fast.
Spoiler Alerts***
I wanted to like this book. It started out pretty good, and I was willing to ignore the head-hopping and bad logic (e.g., Adele changed clothes the morning after staying on his island, but why would she take a change of clothes for a two-hour interview), but the end was just so unbelievable that I'm giving it 2-stars. I'm not sure why this book has gotten so many 5-star reviews, but I can't even justify giving it 3-stars.
What really made me rate it so low on the star scale, what really made me scratch my head was the fact that a woman, Calista, who has been held hostage for 27 YEARS recovered more quickly than a man who tried to drown himself. Really?? At minimum, after being held in those conditions for 27 YEARS, she would have had severe medical and mental health issues. And yet, here she is recovering after a few good meals and a visit to the dentist. Here she is fawning over a man who tried to kill himself because he was depressed. It was just too much to believe.
And then there's the sheriff and his son. After 27 years of holding someone hostage, why was there no fight from the sheriff or son? He had a gun. But Adele just walked away.
It was a very pat, easy ending. For the author. Deus ex machina. It was an ending that made no sense what so ever.
I tried to read the epilogue and finally gave up when Adele kept mentioning how handsome the writer was. Ick. Bad writing. Bad BAD writing.
Spoiler Alerts***
I wanted to like this book. It started out pretty good, and I was willing to ignore the head-hopping and bad logic (e.g., Adele changed clothes the morning after staying on his island, but why would she take a change of clothes for a two-hour interview), but the end was just so unbelievable that I'm giving it 2-stars. I'm not sure why this book has gotten so many 5-star reviews, but I can't even justify giving it 3-stars.
What really made me rate it so low on the star scale, what really made me scratch my head was the fact that a woman, Calista, who has been held hostage for 27 YEARS recovered more quickly than a man who tried to drown himself. Really?? At minimum, after being held in those conditions for 27 YEARS, she would have had severe medical and mental health issues. And yet, here she is recovering after a few good meals and a visit to the dentist. Here she is fawning over a man who tried to kill himself because he was depressed. It was just too much to believe.
And then there's the sheriff and his son. After 27 years of holding someone hostage, why was there no fight from the sheriff or son? He had a gun. But Adele just walked away.
It was a very pat, easy ending. For the author. Deus ex machina. It was an ending that made no sense what so ever.
I tried to read the epilogue and finally gave up when Adele kept mentioning how handsome the writer was. Ick. Bad writing. Bad BAD writing.
November 1, 2017
Information overload
The character Adele thought information overload when listening to one of the characters ramble. That is what l thought. There was so many strings of words to attempt to paint a picture of people and objects that the main storyline felt fuzzy. I skimmed through the last several chapters since I already had a sense of the ending.
The character Adele thought information overload when listening to one of the characters ramble. That is what l thought. There was so many strings of words to attempt to paint a picture of people and objects that the main storyline felt fuzzy. I skimmed through the last several chapters since I already had a sense of the ending.
August 5, 2017
DNF. seriously in need of editing. It's like reading Trump's twitters. Full of exclamation marks.
June 14, 2016
Yikes!
I never write reviews, and I read A LOT , but seriously...5 stars??? Did I read a different book? Based on the reviews, I was expecting so much more--what a disappointment. A quote from Oscar Wilde suggest big things are in store-sorry, Oscar. And, I'm still trying to figure out what the prologue had to do with the rest of the novel. And potential spoiler alert here...can a woman bounce back so quickly after being locked in a dark, dirt -floored basement for thirty years? Just sayin.
I never write reviews, and I read A LOT , but seriously...5 stars??? Did I read a different book? Based on the reviews, I was expecting so much more--what a disappointment. A quote from Oscar Wilde suggest big things are in store-sorry, Oscar. And, I'm still trying to figure out what the prologue had to do with the rest of the novel. And potential spoiler alert here...can a woman bounce back so quickly after being locked in a dark, dirt -floored basement for thirty years? Just sayin.
June 30, 2018
This book was one of those published in the (short-lived) Kindle Scout program, where authors could submit works and the winner was crowdsourced by readers. I believe I purchased my copy for 99 cents after it went through this process. There are more books in this series, so the author must have gotten enough attention to want to keep writing.
I picked it to read because I was spending a few days in the San Juan Islands and it came up in a search. All of the pleasure I received from the read has everything to do with the setting details - many I had already experienced or seen, from specific locations like the Rosario Inn to the beautiful temperate weather. If I were rating this book from setting alone, I'd give it all the stars.
Unfortunately it's a mystery novel, and I will need to review it based on that expectation. The prologue is incredibly violent, something I forgive if it pays off later but it does not, except to tell the reader immediately who committed the crime. Why the author would want to do this is way beyond me. It is also written in a different tone and voice than the rest of the novel, making me feel like either the book was initially going in a different direction, the author wrote that part during an MFA program, or just got lazy/bored later. The writing feels like it deteriorates as it goes.
The main character is a college aged female and other reviewers have pointed out that the author describes her from a male gaze... I admit I didn't notice this in particular, but I must be immune after all these years of not noticing it I suppose (but this made some stop reading, fair warning.)
The first 80% or so has pretty good pacing, the college student has been granted an interview with a reclusive author (for a pretty implausible reason) and danger is everywhere, it's hard to know if the author is good or evil, thus the need for the interview. The last 20% is implausible, ridiculous, awful. I don't want to say what happens in case you are also in the San Juan Islands and want to read something set there. But I will not read more of this series, unfortunately. I did go to the bookstore on Orcas Island and pick up another crime novel by a different author that is partially set in the SJI, so I have high hopes.
I picked it to read because I was spending a few days in the San Juan Islands and it came up in a search. All of the pleasure I received from the read has everything to do with the setting details - many I had already experienced or seen, from specific locations like the Rosario Inn to the beautiful temperate weather. If I were rating this book from setting alone, I'd give it all the stars.
Unfortunately it's a mystery novel, and I will need to review it based on that expectation. The prologue is incredibly violent, something I forgive if it pays off later but it does not, except to tell the reader immediately who committed the crime. Why the author would want to do this is way beyond me. It is also written in a different tone and voice than the rest of the novel, making me feel like either the book was initially going in a different direction, the author wrote that part during an MFA program, or just got lazy/bored later. The writing feels like it deteriorates as it goes.
The main character is a college aged female and other reviewers have pointed out that the author describes her from a male gaze... I admit I didn't notice this in particular, but I must be immune after all these years of not noticing it I suppose (but this made some stop reading, fair warning.)
The first 80% or so has pretty good pacing, the college student has been granted an interview with a reclusive author (for a pretty implausible reason) and danger is everywhere, it's hard to know if the author is good or evil, thus the need for the interview. The last 20% is implausible, ridiculous, awful. I don't want to say what happens in case you are also in the San Juan Islands and want to read something set there. But I will not read more of this series, unfortunately. I did go to the bookstore on Orcas Island and pick up another crime novel by a different author that is partially set in the SJI, so I have high hopes.
March 19, 2017
I love when a book screams "Plot Twist"
I have found a new favorite author. This book just keep me wanting more. The words just flow so beautifully, I hated putting it down. This story was very well written. I look forward to reading more from D.W. Ulsterman.
I have found a new favorite author. This book just keep me wanting more. The words just flow so beautifully, I hated putting it down. This story was very well written. I look forward to reading more from D.W. Ulsterman.
May 5, 2017
Nice little mystery
Nice little mystery - it did keep my interest however improbable the storyline. Could not bring myself to like any of the characters. Needs a better cover. Still-it was entertainment and well worth the .99 I paid for it.
Nice little mystery - it did keep my interest however improbable the storyline. Could not bring myself to like any of the characters. Needs a better cover. Still-it was entertainment and well worth the .99 I paid for it.
September 4, 2017
Story interesting
Without expectations I began reading this book and realized it was going to be predictable. Pretty simplistic but worth the time it took. A good book to read on the beach!
Without expectations I began reading this book and realized it was going to be predictable. Pretty simplistic but worth the time it took. A good book to read on the beach!
November 26, 2016
WHAT ARE THEY HIDING
This is a great mystery of lost love, and misguided love. Who was mentally challenged you sure it's wasn't the FATHER. The story is about a misguided sheriff trying to protect his mentally challenged son, who kidnaps a well known authors wife, to replace his dead mother. The agony of the author who many blamed for her death and he blamed himself cut himself off from any type human contact. He lived the past twenty-seven years on an island he owned off the coast of Washington state. The torment he felt as he continued to blame himself for her death. This book deserves a rating of 7
This is a great mystery of lost love, and misguided love. Who was mentally challenged you sure it's wasn't the FATHER. The story is about a misguided sheriff trying to protect his mentally challenged son, who kidnaps a well known authors wife, to replace his dead mother. The agony of the author who many blamed for her death and he blamed himself cut himself off from any type human contact. He lived the past twenty-seven years on an island he owned off the coast of Washington state. The torment he felt as he continued to blame himself for her death. This book deserves a rating of 7
October 26, 2016
Can you read an entire book without breathing?
I am always into the pages of a mystery's pull,can I outwit the author. This kept me perch on the edge, unable to decide which way to lean , forward than back to the Writer, was he a twisted soul? I held my breath without thinking as minutes and pages slipped by me. To any and all who wish the thrill ride of mystery at it's best, it is a must read.
I am always into the pages of a mystery's pull,can I outwit the author. This kept me perch on the edge, unable to decide which way to lean , forward than back to the Writer, was he a twisted soul? I held my breath without thinking as minutes and pages slipped by me. To any and all who wish the thrill ride of mystery at it's best, it is a must read.
October 27, 2016
Disappointing
Although the main character is a journalism student, she omits things (such as following basic procedures and asking the most rudimentary questions when interviewing people) which make the story implausable. The author's use of the third-person narrative follows only the journalism student until almost the end, when it moves to another character and the change is jarring. Finally, the student's summary "article" was journalistically so horribly written that it just made me angry that I'd wasted the time reading this book.
Although the main character is a journalism student, she omits things (such as following basic procedures and asking the most rudimentary questions when interviewing people) which make the story implausable. The author's use of the third-person narrative follows only the journalism student until almost the end, when it moves to another character and the change is jarring. Finally, the student's summary "article" was journalistically so horribly written that it just made me angry that I'd wasted the time reading this book.
August 25, 2018
This book was a Kindle Scout winner I’ve had on my Kindle for some time. Glad I finally got to it. The mystery had a nice twist to it, one I didn’t see coming, and the swift pacing in the last half of the novel made it tough to put down. Lovely setting too. The frequent point-of-view shifts within the same scene were at times distracting and some of the description clumsy, but neither of these issues dulled my enthusiasm for the story. Suspension of disbelief is necessary, but that's easy for me to do in fiction. All in all, a quick, enjoyable read.
September 25, 2017
This short novel started out with a unrelated story about drowning cats. It then went into a story about a suspected murder and interview of suspect who is a famous author by a college girl. Very simplistic and unbelievable plot and it does seem YA not sure why on kindle list of books to try for me. The kicker was the end it was so unbelievable. I am glad a short novel and not 500 pages like some kindle has "recommended".
August 9, 2022
Credibility issues, poor research
The author knows the mechanics of writing, but the story is ruined in the last 25% of the book, through credibility issues, poor research, and melodramatic cheese. The author needs more education about how trauma victims do and do not behave. This book did not allow me the willing suspension of disbelief, and sucked all enjoyment right out of it for me. I'm sorry I wasted my time on it.
The author knows the mechanics of writing, but the story is ruined in the last 25% of the book, through credibility issues, poor research, and melodramatic cheese. The author needs more education about how trauma victims do and do not behave. This book did not allow me the willing suspension of disbelief, and sucked all enjoyment right out of it for me. I'm sorry I wasted my time on it.
November 14, 2016
very good! had me on the string until the end...or at least a chapter before the end. Unfortunately, poorly edited.....many errors! may try another of his books
December 11, 2022
Once again, young girl fascinated by older man. DNF
March 21, 2021
Save yourself! (zero stars)
This may be the worst “novel” I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading, and that’s said as someone whose book club has read several vanity press poorly edited works. While I’m not prone to negativity as a rule, this book was so egregiously bad in so many ways that I feel it’s my moral duty to warn readers off.
Published as part of the “Kindle Scout” program that launched in 2014 (a hybrid publishing project where Amazon used crowd-sourcing to select titles to publish. Authors who were accepted were offered a $1,500 advance, 50% royalties, and an Amazon marketing push), the fact that readers actually voted for this poorly conceived and even more poorly executed piece of junk gives me serious pause about the taste and discernment of a vast portion of the American reading population.
Where to begin? I’m a lover of physical books with thoughtfully designed covers and elegant typefaces, so the ugly cover image (uncredited) and even uglier choice of font style and size (is this a term paper?) coupled with strange page breaks that often leave an entire third of a page inexplicably blank were an instant red flag.
Semi-undeterred, I soldiered on, as this was the current read for one of my book clubs. The prologue which features a horrific and graphic experience of kittencide by the titular subject’s controlling masochist of a father (“a high school teacher of English literature”) made me wonder what the in the author’s childhood could’ve led him to think this adumbration was necessary. As it turns out, it’s a piece of misdirection whose sole purpose, I think, is to make us believe that the emotionally scarred child is indeed the murderer of the adult man’s wife.
From that inauspicious beginning, the “novel” sallies forth, bad punctuation and poor grammar in hand, for many overwrought and repetitious chapters until the one that made me want to throw the thing across the room. It involves the young journalist’s visit to a caricature of a queer character’s boat, a 30’ sailboat the description of which includes references to the varnished wood, the height and material (aluminum) of the mast, and the bell “hanging over the vessel’s primary entrance door” she rings to get his attention (with a string hanging from “the bottom of the bell’s mouth, a device Adele remembered as being called a clapper.”1) This is where the author’s dogged attention to detail trips him up: a clapper isn’t a string, but “a small piece of metal suspended within a bell that causes it to sound when made to strike against its side.” I tried to ignore this sloppy bit of false attribution, but it was just too much when the boat’s owner emerges (“erupted from the boat’s bowels”—ugh!) via “the sailboat’s door” which “swings open.” I don’t know whether the writer has ever been on or around any boats, but they don’t have doors, they have hatches, and said hatches don’t “swing”, they slide in rails.
The book’s 239 printed-on-demand pages could have been much briefer had the author not leaned so heavily on unnecessary adjectives: “The author winced again as a soft grunt passed between his pursed lips.” “Decklan leaned back in the cream-colored farmhouse-styled wood chair.” The young journalist “adjusts her backpack” no fewer than three times that I counted.
There are many other annoying tics in this dog’s breakfast as well, including referring to his characters sometimes by their first names, sometimes their first and last, and often by their role (“the bookstore owner,” “the University student,” etc.) as if we might not be able to follow along. The device of putting the narrator’s internal monologue in italics, spelling out for the clearly not-too-bright readers, does nothing to increase the drama or move the story along. And while he’s weirdly specific about many details of the islands, including their physical features and flora, he refers oddly to the University in Bellingham as “Bellingham University” rather than Western Washington University. Why? And then there are the many incongruities: the young journalist has come for a two-hour interview, yet when she stays overnight, she joins the writer/author “after a quick shower and a change of clothes.” Huh?
Adele sees “the same burning cigarette light” outside Decklan’s home while she’s there after his arrest. The “same” one that she observed her first overnight there. How can a “cigarette light” be the same? Perhaps he’s reaching for another word—similar?
I could go on (and on, and on) but why? As you’ve come to understand from reading this far, I feel it’s a public service to warn people off this tome and its brethren, if the “free excerpt” of his upcoming novel is any indication of the dreck he continues to put to print (on demand).
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/...
This may be the worst “novel” I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading, and that’s said as someone whose book club has read several vanity press poorly edited works. While I’m not prone to negativity as a rule, this book was so egregiously bad in so many ways that I feel it’s my moral duty to warn readers off.
Published as part of the “Kindle Scout” program that launched in 2014 (a hybrid publishing project where Amazon used crowd-sourcing to select titles to publish. Authors who were accepted were offered a $1,500 advance, 50% royalties, and an Amazon marketing push), the fact that readers actually voted for this poorly conceived and even more poorly executed piece of junk gives me serious pause about the taste and discernment of a vast portion of the American reading population.
Where to begin? I’m a lover of physical books with thoughtfully designed covers and elegant typefaces, so the ugly cover image (uncredited) and even uglier choice of font style and size (is this a term paper?) coupled with strange page breaks that often leave an entire third of a page inexplicably blank were an instant red flag.
Semi-undeterred, I soldiered on, as this was the current read for one of my book clubs. The prologue which features a horrific and graphic experience of kittencide by the titular subject’s controlling masochist of a father (“a high school teacher of English literature”) made me wonder what the in the author’s childhood could’ve led him to think this adumbration was necessary. As it turns out, it’s a piece of misdirection whose sole purpose, I think, is to make us believe that the emotionally scarred child is indeed the murderer of the adult man’s wife.
From that inauspicious beginning, the “novel” sallies forth, bad punctuation and poor grammar in hand, for many overwrought and repetitious chapters until the one that made me want to throw the thing across the room. It involves the young journalist’s visit to a caricature of a queer character’s boat, a 30’ sailboat the description of which includes references to the varnished wood, the height and material (aluminum) of the mast, and the bell “hanging over the vessel’s primary entrance door” she rings to get his attention (with a string hanging from “the bottom of the bell’s mouth, a device Adele remembered as being called a clapper.”1) This is where the author’s dogged attention to detail trips him up: a clapper isn’t a string, but “a small piece of metal suspended within a bell that causes it to sound when made to strike against its side.” I tried to ignore this sloppy bit of false attribution, but it was just too much when the boat’s owner emerges (“erupted from the boat’s bowels”—ugh!) via “the sailboat’s door” which “swings open.” I don’t know whether the writer has ever been on or around any boats, but they don’t have doors, they have hatches, and said hatches don’t “swing”, they slide in rails.
The book’s 239 printed-on-demand pages could have been much briefer had the author not leaned so heavily on unnecessary adjectives: “The author winced again as a soft grunt passed between his pursed lips.” “Decklan leaned back in the cream-colored farmhouse-styled wood chair.” The young journalist “adjusts her backpack” no fewer than three times that I counted.
There are many other annoying tics in this dog’s breakfast as well, including referring to his characters sometimes by their first names, sometimes their first and last, and often by their role (“the bookstore owner,” “the University student,” etc.) as if we might not be able to follow along. The device of putting the narrator’s internal monologue in italics, spelling out for the clearly not-too-bright readers, does nothing to increase the drama or move the story along. And while he’s weirdly specific about many details of the islands, including their physical features and flora, he refers oddly to the University in Bellingham as “Bellingham University” rather than Western Washington University. Why? And then there are the many incongruities: the young journalist has come for a two-hour interview, yet when she stays overnight, she joins the writer/author “after a quick shower and a change of clothes.” Huh?
Adele sees “the same burning cigarette light” outside Decklan’s home while she’s there after his arrest. The “same” one that she observed her first overnight there. How can a “cigarette light” be the same? Perhaps he’s reaching for another word—similar?
I could go on (and on, and on) but why? As you’ve come to understand from reading this far, I feel it’s a public service to warn people off this tome and its brethren, if the “free excerpt” of his upcoming novel is any indication of the dreck he continues to put to print (on demand).
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/...
June 25, 2024
DNF 60 pgs
February 2, 2017
When I agreed to review The Writer, I was glad for a change of pace. I am fortunate to be able to review books for free for an honest review but lately all of my choices have been the same genre. When I picked up The Writer, I immediately felt the difference but I wasn’t sure I was ready for this much change!
Let me just say that the writing is excellent: very descriptive and tantalizing. I was captivated and fascinated and just a little freaked out at times. I was pretty sure everyone could be involved in this mystery but then, was there even a mystery at all? That’s how fascinating this story was! Do yourself a favor and pick up this short novel. You’ll be glad for the wide-eyed adventure.
4 ½ Stars. Clean. Could have had mild cursing but I actually don’t recall at this point, I was totally captivated!
Let me just say that the writing is excellent: very descriptive and tantalizing. I was captivated and fascinated and just a little freaked out at times. I was pretty sure everyone could be involved in this mystery but then, was there even a mystery at all? That’s how fascinating this story was! Do yourself a favor and pick up this short novel. You’ll be glad for the wide-eyed adventure.
4 ½ Stars. Clean. Could have had mild cursing but I actually don’t recall at this point, I was totally captivated!
August 14, 2016
Excellently written, edge of my seat
This book keeps your mind involved and ends with a twist you won't see until the end. It expertly ties up the storylines into a mysterious, intriguing package. I would be excited to read another book from this author.
This book keeps your mind involved and ends with a twist you won't see until the end. It expertly ties up the storylines into a mysterious, intriguing package. I would be excited to read another book from this author.
September 22, 2016
5 stars
First time reading a book from this author and I enjoyed it immensely. Great mystery, although the prologue seemed unnecessary after reading the book. However, once I started reading I could not put it down. Loved the ending.
First time reading a book from this author and I enjoyed it immensely. Great mystery, although the prologue seemed unnecessary after reading the book. However, once I started reading I could not put it down. Loved the ending.
November 23, 2022
Feeble Execution of an Unconvincing Plot
This book violates almost every basic writing tenet and should be a great example of how to collect rejection slips. Yet here it is... flawed and embarrassing. Self published or connected? Either way, a fugitive from the editor's pen.
This book violates almost every basic writing tenet and should be a great example of how to collect rejection slips. Yet here it is... flawed and embarrassing. Self published or connected? Either way, a fugitive from the editor's pen.
September 21, 2016
Hard to put down!
Easy read, continued to build stories and took a different spin at the end. Enjoyed on a lazy, rainy afternoon!
Easy read, continued to build stories and took a different spin at the end. Enjoyed on a lazy, rainy afternoon!
August 19, 2016
Spectacular!
I absolutely LOVED this book. I didn't want it to end! I loved the characters and the story! Freakin fantastic read!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book. I didn't want it to end! I loved the characters and the story! Freakin fantastic read!!!
August 21, 2016
An enjoyable mystery set in the beautiful San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state. I recommend this book!
November 5, 2016
Really good book.
Interesting story which turns out to be more of a mystery than you think it is going to be in the beginning. Excellent twist at the end...
Interesting story which turns out to be more of a mystery than you think it is going to be in the beginning. Excellent twist at the end...
January 22, 2017
What A Moving Story!
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this one as much as I have Ulsterman's other books. What a nice surprise. It gets 5 stars from me.
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this one as much as I have Ulsterman's other books. What a nice surprise. It gets 5 stars from me.
November 14, 2022
A famous writer never writes again and gives an interview to a college newspaper reporter.
What I liked:
-The setting was new to me, the San Quan Islands just north of Seattle. I loved the settling. I Googled Mapped it and got oriented.
-I liked the premise and the story was very interesting for a while, but then it lost the suspense for me at some point. But I read it all.
-Two of the characters were very well developed. I really liked them. They were in the supporting cast.
-Boat emergency scene was good too.
What I didn't like:
-The biggest thing was the author mixed points of view of different characters, often and everywhere. It did not interfere with the story, it just bothered me because I know each POV in 3rd person limited should be separate.
-I felt the big reveal didn't feel realistic or the characters true to their nature.
-The epilogue was too long.
Still I liked the story and would recommend it for the setting if nothing else.
What I liked:
-The setting was new to me, the San Quan Islands just north of Seattle. I loved the settling. I Googled Mapped it and got oriented.
-I liked the premise and the story was very interesting for a while, but then it lost the suspense for me at some point. But I read it all.
-Two of the characters were very well developed. I really liked them. They were in the supporting cast.
-Boat emergency scene was good too.
What I didn't like:
-The biggest thing was the author mixed points of view of different characters, often and everywhere. It did not interfere with the story, it just bothered me because I know each POV in 3rd person limited should be separate.
-I felt the big reveal didn't feel realistic or the characters true to their nature.
-The epilogue was too long.
Still I liked the story and would recommend it for the setting if nothing else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews