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Knottspeed
Enigmatic, charming, and brutally resourceful, Knottspeed is a man on a mission. He also happens to be dead, but the rumors of his demise have been slightly exaggerated-by the man himself as the key to his plan.
A problem-solver, a finder of lost people and rare things, and an accomplished criminal, Knottspeed is experiencing Big Love for the first time in his life, and his elaborately orchestrated plot to reunite with his beloved will profoundly affect everyone he meets, including a rudderless, alcoholic piano player; a wealthy, dispassionate doctor; and an amiable-but-desperate cab driver. From the bars and graveyards of Portland, Oregon to the taco stands and charity hospitals of East Los Angeles, Knottspeed is the uncompromisingly offbeat story about the momentum of love.
A problem-solver, a finder of lost people and rare things, and an accomplished criminal, Knottspeed is experiencing Big Love for the first time in his life, and his elaborately orchestrated plot to reunite with his beloved will profoundly affect everyone he meets, including a rudderless, alcoholic piano player; a wealthy, dispassionate doctor; and an amiable-but-desperate cab driver. From the bars and graveyards of Portland, Oregon to the taco stands and charity hospitals of East Los Angeles, Knottspeed is the uncompromisingly offbeat story about the momentum of love.
278 pages, Hardcover
Published February 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Johnson
9 books85 followersJeff Johnson is the author of Tattoo Machine, The Lucky Supreme Trilogy, Deadbomb Bingo Ray, I Shop At Laney's, and more. Visit him at greatpinkskeleton.com and on Instagram @jeffjohnsonarium.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2017
4.5 stars!
Knottspeed. Tay Tay. Fencepost. These are just a few of the vivid and colorful characters that populate the novel Knottspeed: A Love Story. It will be hard to forget them.
Knottspeed is an enigma, but one thing that IS known is that he's a charmer. He and his enigmatic statement: "I'm here to do good." What does that even mean?
Quote: "His skill in deception hinged on his every word being entirely possible, I was soon to learn. Everything he said was always true, but he was never, ever talking about what you thought he was."
The way in which this story was told was close to brilliant, but I admit to being confused after the first third. The second portion took an entirely different direction and I could not see how the two connected until the very end of part 2. But part 3? Everything comes together so well and at the White Palace too, it couldn't have been more perfect. I'm not ashamed to admit it brought a tear to my eye.
Within this novel you will find real people, both good and bad, but Knottspeed connects with them all. You'll find taco stands and smog in L.A. You'll find heavy rains, dry tree limbs, cabbies, lots of cigarettes and a phenomenal house party with a menu that's out of this world. I can picture it all without a hitch, and I think you'll be able to as well.
It's hard to say much else without spoiling anything, because this story needs to be related as the author intended, otherwise some of the magic will be lost. But if you sit back and let Mr. Johnson guide you through this noir-ish-feeling, deranged world of memorable characters, you will be rewarded with that feeling you can only get from a great book! Highly recommended!
You can get your copy here: Knottspeed: A Love Story
*Thanks to Turner and Edelweiss for the free digital ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback.*
Knottspeed. Tay Tay. Fencepost. These are just a few of the vivid and colorful characters that populate the novel Knottspeed: A Love Story. It will be hard to forget them.
Knottspeed is an enigma, but one thing that IS known is that he's a charmer. He and his enigmatic statement: "I'm here to do good." What does that even mean?
Quote: "His skill in deception hinged on his every word being entirely possible, I was soon to learn. Everything he said was always true, but he was never, ever talking about what you thought he was."
The way in which this story was told was close to brilliant, but I admit to being confused after the first third. The second portion took an entirely different direction and I could not see how the two connected until the very end of part 2. But part 3? Everything comes together so well and at the White Palace too, it couldn't have been more perfect. I'm not ashamed to admit it brought a tear to my eye.
Within this novel you will find real people, both good and bad, but Knottspeed connects with them all. You'll find taco stands and smog in L.A. You'll find heavy rains, dry tree limbs, cabbies, lots of cigarettes and a phenomenal house party with a menu that's out of this world. I can picture it all without a hitch, and I think you'll be able to as well.
It's hard to say much else without spoiling anything, because this story needs to be related as the author intended, otherwise some of the magic will be lost. But if you sit back and let Mr. Johnson guide you through this noir-ish-feeling, deranged world of memorable characters, you will be rewarded with that feeling you can only get from a great book! Highly recommended!
You can get your copy here: Knottspeed: A Love Story
*Thanks to Turner and Edelweiss for the free digital ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback.*
December 25, 2016
This was a real FAST PACED Requiem for a dream / Spun Type
Just alcohol shenanigans with a old drunkard and Indian. (Named Fence-post!!!)
Fun read !!!
Just alcohol shenanigans with a old drunkard and Indian. (Named Fence-post!!!)
Fun read !!!
December 1, 2016
What happens when crazy meets insane? You get Knottspeed.
In the beginning, we are introduced to FB, the alcoholic piano player living in the basement on the day Knottspeed moves in. FB doesn’t have much going for him and he’s a little pathetic, but when Knottspeed offers to pay him for a little help, he finds himself with more to deal with than any one person needs.
This is pretty much Knottspeeds M. O. Anytime he needs something, he finds the nearest person and recruits them into his service. Much of the time, Knottspeed’s choices seem random and even pointless, but there’s always a reason why he chose the person he did for each event. In the end, he gives back to each of his recruits by helping them with things they’ve been struggling with themselves.
I was highly amused throughout part one because watching Knottspeed and FB work their way through the day, finding food, excitement, and clothing is a bit like watching slapstick comedy. Anything that can go wrong, does. Not that any of that stops them from achieving their goals eventually. However, when part two started, the switch in narrators left me confused and a little lost. That said, when the author brings the two narrators – FB and Dr. Resner – together, it all falls into place rather quickly. This is also about where I finally discovered where the ‘love story’ part of the novel came into play.
Despite my confusion regarding a large part of the plot, I found Knottspeed to be highly enjoyable and engaging. The novel is stuffed full of unique, interesting, and sometimes unstable characters. The kind of people that you only hope to find in fiction. Because if you ran into any of these guys in real life, you’d be in trouble. It was fascinating watching the friendship between FB and Knottspeed develop in its own uncommon way. I also loved the way the plot finally came together, becoming clear in a flash of light for me. If you enjoy unconventional stories with even more bizarre characters, then Knottspeed: A Love Story is an excellent choice.
DISCLAIMER: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In the beginning, we are introduced to FB, the alcoholic piano player living in the basement on the day Knottspeed moves in. FB doesn’t have much going for him and he’s a little pathetic, but when Knottspeed offers to pay him for a little help, he finds himself with more to deal with than any one person needs.
This is pretty much Knottspeeds M. O. Anytime he needs something, he finds the nearest person and recruits them into his service. Much of the time, Knottspeed’s choices seem random and even pointless, but there’s always a reason why he chose the person he did for each event. In the end, he gives back to each of his recruits by helping them with things they’ve been struggling with themselves.
I was highly amused throughout part one because watching Knottspeed and FB work their way through the day, finding food, excitement, and clothing is a bit like watching slapstick comedy. Anything that can go wrong, does. Not that any of that stops them from achieving their goals eventually. However, when part two started, the switch in narrators left me confused and a little lost. That said, when the author brings the two narrators – FB and Dr. Resner – together, it all falls into place rather quickly. This is also about where I finally discovered where the ‘love story’ part of the novel came into play.
Despite my confusion regarding a large part of the plot, I found Knottspeed to be highly enjoyable and engaging. The novel is stuffed full of unique, interesting, and sometimes unstable characters. The kind of people that you only hope to find in fiction. Because if you ran into any of these guys in real life, you’d be in trouble. It was fascinating watching the friendship between FB and Knottspeed develop in its own uncommon way. I also loved the way the plot finally came together, becoming clear in a flash of light for me. If you enjoy unconventional stories with even more bizarre characters, then Knottspeed: A Love Story is an excellent choice.
DISCLAIMER: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 18, 2017
Fast paced story. You won't want to put it down.
February 13, 2019
The story is presented in a way that entices you to constantly say "wtf is happening? This is amazingly different!"
October 17, 2016
An Enigmatic Man with a Mission
The alcoholic piano player living in the basement hears Knottspeed move in. He goes upstairs and is shocked by the Knottspeed’s condition. He’s badly smashed up, lying on a ratty couch under a single blanket.
Knottspeed may be down, but he wants to do things. He co-opts the piano player into becoming his companion and off they go to find food, entertainment and clothes. The whole trip, particularly the scene in the clothing store is reminiscent of the Keystone Kops.
This is the pattern for the novel. Knottspeed co-opts people into helping him achieve his objectives, but he helps them also. He’s a very unique character.
This is definitely a character driven novel. It’s filled with unusual people who interact in unusual ways. The characters are interesting, but I found the plot difficult to follow. Knottspeed has a mission, but it’s not easy to figure it out until the very end. He changes situations and people. His plans may be hard to follow, but people become involved with him, and it changes their lives for the better.
If you enjoy character driven novels, this is an interesting one. It’s not the type of book I usually enjoy so I can’t recommend it. However, it has a particular charm because the story is off-beat.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
The alcoholic piano player living in the basement hears Knottspeed move in. He goes upstairs and is shocked by the Knottspeed’s condition. He’s badly smashed up, lying on a ratty couch under a single blanket.
Knottspeed may be down, but he wants to do things. He co-opts the piano player into becoming his companion and off they go to find food, entertainment and clothes. The whole trip, particularly the scene in the clothing store is reminiscent of the Keystone Kops.
This is the pattern for the novel. Knottspeed co-opts people into helping him achieve his objectives, but he helps them also. He’s a very unique character.
This is definitely a character driven novel. It’s filled with unusual people who interact in unusual ways. The characters are interesting, but I found the plot difficult to follow. Knottspeed has a mission, but it’s not easy to figure it out until the very end. He changes situations and people. His plans may be hard to follow, but people become involved with him, and it changes their lives for the better.
If you enjoy character driven novels, this is an interesting one. It’s not the type of book I usually enjoy so I can’t recommend it. However, it has a particular charm because the story is off-beat.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
April 7, 2017
This is the best book I've read in a while. It was a quick read and I hated to see it end. It was captivating and kept me engaged. I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't wait to see what happened. The characters were vibrant and from the descriptions I could picture them in my minds eye as if they were standing in front of me. I hope to read more of this author and I hope he keeps these good ones coming.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews