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Marshland
To help his father, Ben moves back into the old neighborhood. Years ago he was a popular athlete in the local school, then a successful mid-level executive, father, husband. Now Ben is a loner, content to spend his free time in the "reality" of the internet.
Ben reluctantly snaps out of his seclusion when he tries to understand why an old friend and neighbor killed himself and realizes that this is no longer the same neighborhood he grew up in. It's as if someone used resources of social media, internet and surveillance to strip away a layer of civilization, exposing a nightmare of conflicts and betrayals. When Ben is threatened by the same forces, he has to re-discover his own strengths to fight back against a shadow opponent.
Ben reluctantly snaps out of his seclusion when he tries to understand why an old friend and neighbor killed himself and realizes that this is no longer the same neighborhood he grew up in. It's as if someone used resources of social media, internet and surveillance to strip away a layer of civilization, exposing a nightmare of conflicts and betrayals. When Ben is threatened by the same forces, he has to re-discover his own strengths to fight back against a shadow opponent.
- GenresFiction
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2016
153 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
D.R. Bell
9 books38 followers I didn't plan to become a writer. In late 2012 a friend's death prompted me to ask what would be the one thing I regret not doing. I've always been an avid reader but have not had the courage to write. And I made a New Year resolution to write a book. That's how it started.
Since I don't depend on writing for my livelihood, I feel no pressure to "commercialize" my work or to follow "formulas for success." I do hope to say something meaningful and original about human existence. My books are not light reading and not to everyone's liking. I write about serious topics, such as the price of freedom and the corruption of power, a relationship between an individual and a state, tribal (in)tolerances, etc., but wrap them into action-filled stories. Having been born under a totalitarian regime, I'm very sensitive to the kind of power that a modern state wields over an individual. There is one common trait that my books share: the heroes are ordinary people, not superheroes or master detectives. While all my books are entirely fictional, the fiction is always rooted in facts and realities of the current or past events.
Since I don't depend on writing for my livelihood, I feel no pressure to "commercialize" my work or to follow "formulas for success." I do hope to say something meaningful and original about human existence. My books are not light reading and not to everyone's liking. I write about serious topics, such as the price of freedom and the corruption of power, a relationship between an individual and a state, tribal (in)tolerances, etc., but wrap them into action-filled stories. Having been born under a totalitarian regime, I'm very sensitive to the kind of power that a modern state wields over an individual. There is one common trait that my books share: the heroes are ordinary people, not superheroes or master detectives. While all my books are entirely fictional, the fiction is always rooted in facts and realities of the current or past events.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 3, 2021
Ben Feldman returns to his childhood home to a neighborhood significantly different than the one he grew up in. Shockingly one his high school football teammates has killed his wife and taken his own life. Marshland follows Ben's (and another teammate's) quest to find answers to Evan's suicide and murder of his spouse.
The book was a bit slow to start and I felt there were far too many characters involved to be able to track who was doing what. While I eventually found myself engaged in the story the ending, after an exciting climax, ground to a painful end. Trimming pages off the end and not tying the conclusion up in an unwieldy neat bow would have boosted my rating.
3.5 rounded down to 3.
The book was a bit slow to start and I felt there were far too many characters involved to be able to track who was doing what. While I eventually found myself engaged in the story the ending, after an exciting climax, ground to a painful end. Trimming pages off the end and not tying the conclusion up in an unwieldy neat bow would have boosted my rating.
3.5 rounded down to 3.
August 31, 2016
This novel is made up of every day characters just trying to get through life. Ben and his wife have divorced after the death of their son and now Ben's Mom dies so he moves back with his Dad. The old neighborhood has changed as most of the places we all grew up in have--but there is something disparately wrong--too many people have been divorcing and moving away--statistically way too many for this small neighborhood. After his son's death Ben got into the world of virtual reality and has gone from a high level position in the work world to a much lower one as a contractor in a large IT firm. He is also contemplating suicide. Then he hears that one of his best friends from high school killed his wife-then shot himself. Ben is bound and determined, along with his other high school buddies to figure out why, and decides to delay his own suicide until after he figures out this puzzle. The person responsible will not be revealed until the end--and it will surprise you.
This will probably leave you with chills running up and down your back-I know it did mine-when you realize what can happen when social media, the internet and surveillance are used by someone with revenge in their minds. You will also think twice before bullying anyone!! The author, at the very end of the book, tells us what technology is already with us. What really frightens me--this could possibly happen and nobody would be the wiser until it was too late--not the government--not the co-workers-greed is involved as it usually is-even in real life-it took Ben a while to sort out this mess. Did the perpetrator ever get caught? You will have to read this novel to find out!
Marshland
This will probably leave you with chills running up and down your back-I know it did mine-when you realize what can happen when social media, the internet and surveillance are used by someone with revenge in their minds. You will also think twice before bullying anyone!! The author, at the very end of the book, tells us what technology is already with us. What really frightens me--this could possibly happen and nobody would be the wiser until it was too late--not the government--not the co-workers-greed is involved as it usually is-even in real life-it took Ben a while to sort out this mess. Did the perpetrator ever get caught? You will have to read this novel to find out!
Marshland
July 19, 2020
This book had me guessing until the shocking ending. Social media is used in a negative way to get revenge.
When Ben moves back to his old neighborhood he realizes that nothing is the same. As he tried to solve the suicidal of an old friend, he becomes threatened by forces beyond his control. As he fights back , he realizes how much evil surrounds him.
I received this Ebook as a gift fromGoodreads in exchange for an honest review. A fast paced page turner that you will not want to put down!
When Ben moves back to his old neighborhood he realizes that nothing is the same. As he tried to solve the suicidal of an old friend, he becomes threatened by forces beyond his control. As he fights back , he realizes how much evil surrounds him.
I received this Ebook as a gift fromGoodreads in exchange for an honest review. A fast paced page turner that you will not want to put down!
September 9, 2016
Benjamin “Ben” Feldman (former Franklin HS QB, FB Cougars, narrator, June’s ex-husband,), started R7 Space Systems.
Ben (son) & Richard Feldman (dad) were being interviewed by Detective Jim Walton & Detective Peter O’Connell about the murder of Rose Johnson (2nd. wife, porn star, aka Violet Lynn) & suicide of Evan Johnson (AA, husband, former Franklin HS, FB, Cougars).
Ralph Peterson works with Adult Video World. They produced Violet’s porn movies.
David Fishman (aka Ben, Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers) came to discuss the ATRF format.
Evan’s funeral is at Florence Park cemetery.
DeShawn Johnson (Evan’s father), Deion King (AA, R7 Space Systems, former Franklin HS FB Cougars, pro DE), & Jamar Walker (R7 Space Systems, retired USMC, PI) are already there.
General Howard Bailey (West Point, USMC) is the VP & Senior Director of Communications Research Center.
Blake Sullivan (former Franklin HS student, RND Corp., Alpha Management Group) is the Director of Research Center.
Travis Rigley (retired USMC officer, degree operations research) is the Associate Director of Operations of Research Center.
Anna Caparelli claims she never screwed Evan.
Lucille Thurman (R7 Space System’s CEO, aka Broom Hilda), has called a meeting.
Rachel Donahue (widow) told the story of how she found Jeff Donahue in his 67, Ford Mustang running with the garage door down.
What was Blake into?
What is Pantano Wetlands development all about?
Jamal was murdered. Who could be next?
Will Detective Jim Walton & Detective Peter O’Connell wrap up the murder case?
Warning: This book contains extreme violence, graphic adult content or expletive language &/or sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written big business political adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great big business political adventure movie, or a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Ben (son) & Richard Feldman (dad) were being interviewed by Detective Jim Walton & Detective Peter O’Connell about the murder of Rose Johnson (2nd. wife, porn star, aka Violet Lynn) & suicide of Evan Johnson (AA, husband, former Franklin HS, FB, Cougars).
Ralph Peterson works with Adult Video World. They produced Violet’s porn movies.
David Fishman (aka Ben, Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers) came to discuss the ATRF format.
Evan’s funeral is at Florence Park cemetery.
DeShawn Johnson (Evan’s father), Deion King (AA, R7 Space Systems, former Franklin HS FB Cougars, pro DE), & Jamar Walker (R7 Space Systems, retired USMC, PI) are already there.
General Howard Bailey (West Point, USMC) is the VP & Senior Director of Communications Research Center.
Blake Sullivan (former Franklin HS student, RND Corp., Alpha Management Group) is the Director of Research Center.
Travis Rigley (retired USMC officer, degree operations research) is the Associate Director of Operations of Research Center.
Anna Caparelli claims she never screwed Evan.
Lucille Thurman (R7 Space System’s CEO, aka Broom Hilda), has called a meeting.
Rachel Donahue (widow) told the story of how she found Jeff Donahue in his 67, Ford Mustang running with the garage door down.
What was Blake into?
What is Pantano Wetlands development all about?
Jamal was murdered. Who could be next?
Will Detective Jim Walton & Detective Peter O’Connell wrap up the murder case?
Warning: This book contains extreme violence, graphic adult content or expletive language &/or sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written big business political adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great big business political adventure movie, or a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
September 14, 2018
Good book
When I read this I thought it was all fiction, with a bit of truth put in just to make it more believable. I'm glad the way it turns out . Sometimes fiction is more nonfiction then you think.
When I read this I thought it was all fiction, with a bit of truth put in just to make it more believable. I'm glad the way it turns out . Sometimes fiction is more nonfiction then you think.
October 24, 2020
A cautionary tale about the dangers of social media and technology and the all too real type of effects it has already had and will continue to have. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had a knack for figuring out where these types of stories are going, I likely would have been wondering what was going on up to the end. There’s a backdrop of a tragedy, romance, and office politics going on unrelated to the mystery that’s woven into the story fairly well.
January 18, 2019
A DNF for me. I made it about 30% of the way through and there just wasn’t anything happening. A lot of investigating about the death of a friend- endless investigating- but no intrigue. I also found the writing style really stilted, “I am going, I did not know” and so forth. Maybe it’s just me but that doesn’t feel like the way people talk, use a contraction once in awhile.
June 17, 2020
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
A man returns home to help his father out after a successful life but now a recluse hanging out on the internet. Slowly he returns to reality when an old friend and neighbor die as he investigates. He will slowly realize that things are not the same as where he grew up.
It’s a mixture of technology and reality blended into society.
A man returns home to help his father out after a successful life but now a recluse hanging out on the internet. Slowly he returns to reality when an old friend and neighbor die as he investigates. He will slowly realize that things are not the same as where he grew up.
It’s a mixture of technology and reality blended into society.
April 7, 2019
From just okay to very good!
After reading approximately one third of the book. I found myself thinking why read the rest of the book. Suddenly, it became a true and intriguing mystery that was well worth reading..
After reading approximately one third of the book. I found myself thinking why read the rest of the book. Suddenly, it became a true and intriguing mystery that was well worth reading..
October 13, 2019
I enjoyed the way in which this was told - day by day
March 31, 2020
This was a riveting story about technology and how it might be abused. Highly recommended.
March 3, 2021
Cynicism re-enforced
Big organisations always tend to exercise their power, and frequently push their boundaries to see just how much they can get away with.
Big organisations always tend to exercise their power, and frequently push their boundaries to see just how much they can get away with.
July 7, 2021
Good mystery
Interesting story. Makes you really think about how the government spies on you. How the media manipulates your thinking. Good mystery story too.
Interesting story. Makes you really think about how the government spies on you. How the media manipulates your thinking. Good mystery story too.
July 20, 2022
A perfectly-paced mystery, and a compelling "what-if" of sorts.
July 24, 2016
Another eye opener by D. R. Bell
I wasn't sure where events were going in this story for at least half of it. I was pulled along by the intrigue and twists and turns. New revelations kept me glued to the book. Interesting insertion of Jeff Kron and his political movement from D. R. Bell's other books.
I wasn't sure where events were going in this story for at least half of it. I was pulled along by the intrigue and twists and turns. New revelations kept me glued to the book. Interesting insertion of Jeff Kron and his political movement from D. R. Bell's other books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews