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Hank Madden #3
Lucidity
David Carnoy’s Detective Hank Madden returns in this bicoastal caper that pits dreams against reality, where nothing can be taken at face value.
Twenty years after the unsolved case of Stacey Walker’s disappearance went cold, a Silicone Valley executive hires the retired Menlo Park Police Detective Hank Madden to find her body and track down her missing husband, the prime suspect in her unsolved murder. Four months later, author Candace Epstein is pushed in front of a car near Central Park. Her editor Max Fremmer becomes entangled into the investigation of her attempted murder, though he is adamant that he is uninvolved. As he digs into Candace’s background to clear his own name, Fremmer grows suspicious of his client’s connection to a nefarious institute for lucid dreaming on the Upper East Side and its staff whose stories never seem to add up—all while an unexpected link emerges to Detective Madden’s investigation in California.
As similarities arise between the cases on each coast, Detective Madden and Fremmer forge an unlikely partnership to expose what misconduct lurks beneath the façade of the Lucidity Center—but can they unravel the secret that links their investigations together in time, or are they only dreaming? Carnoy’s Lucidity stuns with complex detail that will keep readers guessing until the final, satisfying jolt.
Twenty years after the unsolved case of Stacey Walker’s disappearance went cold, a Silicone Valley executive hires the retired Menlo Park Police Detective Hank Madden to find her body and track down her missing husband, the prime suspect in her unsolved murder. Four months later, author Candace Epstein is pushed in front of a car near Central Park. Her editor Max Fremmer becomes entangled into the investigation of her attempted murder, though he is adamant that he is uninvolved. As he digs into Candace’s background to clear his own name, Fremmer grows suspicious of his client’s connection to a nefarious institute for lucid dreaming on the Upper East Side and its staff whose stories never seem to add up—all while an unexpected link emerges to Detective Madden’s investigation in California.
As similarities arise between the cases on each coast, Detective Madden and Fremmer forge an unlikely partnership to expose what misconduct lurks beneath the façade of the Lucidity Center—but can they unravel the secret that links their investigations together in time, or are they only dreaming? Carnoy’s Lucidity stuns with complex detail that will keep readers guessing until the final, satisfying jolt.
288 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2017
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1073 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 12, 2017
4.5 STARS
I've been a long time fan of David Carnoy's novels; he is a master at creating books that flow together with familiar characters yet also read easily as stand alone novels. If you are new to his work, you may choose to begin with Knife Music, where we are initially introduced to handicapped Detective Hank Madden, and then continue along with him to The Big Exit; if not, you may choose to pick up Lucidity: A Thriller as a standalone if you're looking for a single read thats exciting and fast paced. Whatever your choice, you really can't go wrong. I believe it was Janet, my librarian and all-around bibliophile aunt, who initially introduced me to Carnoy's work and ever since I have eagerly anticipated each book he writes. While it's true he doesn't pop out 15 a year like some well-known authors, it is also a fact that he puts a great deal of time and care into crafting something truly special and unique for the reader; because of this I feel Lucidity: A Thriller is his best work to date.
It's best to go into this book as blind as possible; the description above gives you everything you need to know so I won't be rehashing the storyline or handing out any spoilers. What I will say is how truly satiating this novel is; the author turns the typical thriller into an intelligent, high quality read that doesn't skimp on that compulsive "it factor" that causes many readers to choose the thriller genre. Here we don't have to choose between fleshed out characters and a meaty plot or a fast paced story that's impossible to put down; Carnoy has easily included it all, which is my top reason for being a repeat customer of his books. I believe the only minor factor that kept me from giving this a full 5 star review was the fact that all the pieces were tied up a little too neat and tidy for my taste; while this gave a full, satisfying ending, it also felt a little to perfect. Other than that, I felt this book couldn't have done anything else to rank as a perfect read.
I know many fellow readers and bloggers who tend to shy away from straight up thrillers; they feel most books in this genre lack the depth and quality of others and only offer cheap thrills and timely pacing to serve as palate cleansers between other heavier reads. This is the type of thriller I would hand to those reviewers who are looking for more-more characterization, a more intelligent, intricate plot, and more to offer as a whole. The fact that the author can make me interested in a setting and plots involving Silicone Valley, something that has bored me to tears in the past, proves his talent in weaving together stories that have meaning and purpose. When I finish a book of his, I feel like I've accomplished something of value instead of binging on fluff. Highly recommended to those readers looking for quality without pretentiousness; this is the type of read anyone can pick up and follow well. Bring on the book hangover; my only regret is now having to wait for book #4!
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to share my thoughts free of bias or influence.
I've been a long time fan of David Carnoy's novels; he is a master at creating books that flow together with familiar characters yet also read easily as stand alone novels. If you are new to his work, you may choose to begin with Knife Music, where we are initially introduced to handicapped Detective Hank Madden, and then continue along with him to The Big Exit; if not, you may choose to pick up Lucidity: A Thriller as a standalone if you're looking for a single read thats exciting and fast paced. Whatever your choice, you really can't go wrong. I believe it was Janet, my librarian and all-around bibliophile aunt, who initially introduced me to Carnoy's work and ever since I have eagerly anticipated each book he writes. While it's true he doesn't pop out 15 a year like some well-known authors, it is also a fact that he puts a great deal of time and care into crafting something truly special and unique for the reader; because of this I feel Lucidity: A Thriller is his best work to date.
It's best to go into this book as blind as possible; the description above gives you everything you need to know so I won't be rehashing the storyline or handing out any spoilers. What I will say is how truly satiating this novel is; the author turns the typical thriller into an intelligent, high quality read that doesn't skimp on that compulsive "it factor" that causes many readers to choose the thriller genre. Here we don't have to choose between fleshed out characters and a meaty plot or a fast paced story that's impossible to put down; Carnoy has easily included it all, which is my top reason for being a repeat customer of his books. I believe the only minor factor that kept me from giving this a full 5 star review was the fact that all the pieces were tied up a little too neat and tidy for my taste; while this gave a full, satisfying ending, it also felt a little to perfect. Other than that, I felt this book couldn't have done anything else to rank as a perfect read.
I know many fellow readers and bloggers who tend to shy away from straight up thrillers; they feel most books in this genre lack the depth and quality of others and only offer cheap thrills and timely pacing to serve as palate cleansers between other heavier reads. This is the type of thriller I would hand to those reviewers who are looking for more-more characterization, a more intelligent, intricate plot, and more to offer as a whole. The fact that the author can make me interested in a setting and plots involving Silicone Valley, something that has bored me to tears in the past, proves his talent in weaving together stories that have meaning and purpose. When I finish a book of his, I feel like I've accomplished something of value instead of binging on fluff. Highly recommended to those readers looking for quality without pretentiousness; this is the type of read anyone can pick up and follow well. Bring on the book hangover; my only regret is now having to wait for book #4!
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to share my thoughts free of bias or influence.
February 10, 2017
"When you know the author, it's sometimes hard to know what's fiction and what isn't."
"You helped her write a book?"
"Books, actually. I helped her self-publish a series of e-books".
"Under her own name?"
"No, she writes under a pseudonym. Lexi Hart.
Max Femmer is a publisher living in New York. His transportation of choice is his scooter. He teaches spin classes, has a son, and has never married. Max is a funny guy. Right off the bat I liked his laid back attitude.... but I wasn't sure if he was legit or a slimeball. He tells a client....."I've spent years vetting the right cover designers,
formatters, copy editors, and people you're going to pay to review your book, etcetera, etcetera". PAY for those reviews? Where do I sign up? haha!
Max Femmer had a client by the name of Candace Epstein.
New York Detective Thomas Chu is trying to get some background information about Candace from Femmer.
There was a car accident. The detectives have a witness who says Candace was pushed in front of the vehicle. She is still alive - but expected to live???
They are questioning Femmer because they have learned Max Femmer was her publisher -- knows she still owes him money ( by tracing iPhone conversations), and Candace ( Lexi Hart), wrote erotica books -- a sub-genre of erotica which he called "corporate fetishism'. What does Max have to do Candace being hit by the car?
Meanwhile---on the other side of the country- in Menlo Park, California, Detective Hank Madden, sixty-six years old, Menlo Park PD, retired also wants to write a book. He had led two sensational murder investigations and had overcome childhood sexual abuse. Many people told him the book would write itself...but that wasn't the case. Madden wasn't a natural born writer. So, he takes a job working in a hardwood store.
A man by the name of Hal Shelby comes into the store and offers him a deal hard to pass up.
Shelby offers Madden one million dollars to find Stacey Walker - another million if he can find her husband - and a million bonus if he finds both. Stacey Walker has been missing twenty years.
Frank Marcus wrote a book about Stacey called "Never Found Never Dead".
BOOK THEMES - writers - want-to-be writers ....and mystery crime suspense...east and west coast drama.
David keeps the momentum moving in this wonderfully plotted complex suspense novel. If you've enjoy reading Henning Mankell....you'll enjoy read David Carnoy!!!
GREAT CRIME DRAMA.....without the blood-graphic violence!!!
"You helped her write a book?"
"Books, actually. I helped her self-publish a series of e-books".
"Under her own name?"
"No, she writes under a pseudonym. Lexi Hart.
Max Femmer is a publisher living in New York. His transportation of choice is his scooter. He teaches spin classes, has a son, and has never married. Max is a funny guy. Right off the bat I liked his laid back attitude.... but I wasn't sure if he was legit or a slimeball. He tells a client....."I've spent years vetting the right cover designers,
formatters, copy editors, and people you're going to pay to review your book, etcetera, etcetera". PAY for those reviews? Where do I sign up? haha!
Max Femmer had a client by the name of Candace Epstein.
New York Detective Thomas Chu is trying to get some background information about Candace from Femmer.
There was a car accident. The detectives have a witness who says Candace was pushed in front of the vehicle. She is still alive - but expected to live???
They are questioning Femmer because they have learned Max Femmer was her publisher -- knows she still owes him money ( by tracing iPhone conversations), and Candace ( Lexi Hart), wrote erotica books -- a sub-genre of erotica which he called "corporate fetishism'. What does Max have to do Candace being hit by the car?
Meanwhile---on the other side of the country- in Menlo Park, California, Detective Hank Madden, sixty-six years old, Menlo Park PD, retired also wants to write a book. He had led two sensational murder investigations and had overcome childhood sexual abuse. Many people told him the book would write itself...but that wasn't the case. Madden wasn't a natural born writer. So, he takes a job working in a hardwood store.
A man by the name of Hal Shelby comes into the store and offers him a deal hard to pass up.
Shelby offers Madden one million dollars to find Stacey Walker - another million if he can find her husband - and a million bonus if he finds both. Stacey Walker has been missing twenty years.
Frank Marcus wrote a book about Stacey called "Never Found Never Dead".
BOOK THEMES - writers - want-to-be writers ....and mystery crime suspense...east and west coast drama.
David keeps the momentum moving in this wonderfully plotted complex suspense novel. If you've enjoy reading Henning Mankell....you'll enjoy read David Carnoy!!!
GREAT CRIME DRAMA.....without the blood-graphic violence!!!
February 9, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I have a giveaway for three ebooks of this one on my blog right now!!
You know how sometimes you read the same genre so often that things begin to feel stale? I especially feel this can be true when you read a lot of mysteries, it’s hard to come across something fresh and different, I can’t imagine how hard it is for authors to come up with something new and exciting! There was something really noteworthy about Lucidity, it gave me a new vibe while I was reading it that I really appreciated.
There are two separate narratives here; Hank Madden is a retired detective in California who has been hired to investigate a cold case as a PI and Max Fremmer, a “book doctor” and spin instructor from New York who’s client and friend, Candace was just pushed into traffic and is not expected to make it. Each chapter flips back and forth between the two men and both storylines were engrossing. There were definitely similarities between both cases, but the way Carnoy weaved them together was truly effortless and impressive, it sure kept me on my toes.
Both Fremmer and Madden were fantastic characters, the type where you feel like you could actually encounter people exactly like them in real life. Fremmer was a funny guy, his dialogue reminded me of Harlan Coben’s style and I mean that as a huge compliment, because as a writer I feel he can do no wrong. Everything about this was sharp and witty, like I said earlier it just felt really fresh. Madden was equally interesting, he was one of the last cases of polio in the US, he’s a sexual abuse survivor and a decorated cop.
I loved hopping back and forth from the east to the west coast, it kept things exciting. There were several well executed turns and red herrings along the way and things didn’t play out how I was anticipating. Besides the two amazing protagonists there was a great cast of eccentric characters to spice things up, and the concept of lucid dreaming was trippy but a really cool addition.
I have a giveaway for three ebooks of this one on my blog right now!!
You know how sometimes you read the same genre so often that things begin to feel stale? I especially feel this can be true when you read a lot of mysteries, it’s hard to come across something fresh and different, I can’t imagine how hard it is for authors to come up with something new and exciting! There was something really noteworthy about Lucidity, it gave me a new vibe while I was reading it that I really appreciated.
There are two separate narratives here; Hank Madden is a retired detective in California who has been hired to investigate a cold case as a PI and Max Fremmer, a “book doctor” and spin instructor from New York who’s client and friend, Candace was just pushed into traffic and is not expected to make it. Each chapter flips back and forth between the two men and both storylines were engrossing. There were definitely similarities between both cases, but the way Carnoy weaved them together was truly effortless and impressive, it sure kept me on my toes.
Both Fremmer and Madden were fantastic characters, the type where you feel like you could actually encounter people exactly like them in real life. Fremmer was a funny guy, his dialogue reminded me of Harlan Coben’s style and I mean that as a huge compliment, because as a writer I feel he can do no wrong. Everything about this was sharp and witty, like I said earlier it just felt really fresh. Madden was equally interesting, he was one of the last cases of polio in the US, he’s a sexual abuse survivor and a decorated cop.
I loved hopping back and forth from the east to the west coast, it kept things exciting. There were several well executed turns and red herrings along the way and things didn’t play out how I was anticipating. Besides the two amazing protagonists there was a great cast of eccentric characters to spice things up, and the concept of lucid dreaming was trippy but a really cool addition.
February 7, 2017
I really liked this novel. The plot is very clever, very well thought out. There were twists at the end, as well as along the way, that kept me actively thinking about the cold case and its possible resolution. A red herring showed up here and there too. That the action happens in two places was deftly handled. The narrative alternates between California and New York but in a systematic way so I was not confused.
The characters were well crafted. Madden came across as a real person. He had been successful as a detective but now retired lacked the focus to write his memoir. He was prime for working a cold case when approached. Fremmer came across as one of those New York City guys who tried to work all the angles.
I always appreciate learning something when I read a novel and this time it was about lucid dreaming. Some of the dream descriptions were a little too graphic for me in their sexual nature but otherwise, reading about them was interesting.
I recommend this novel to those who like a well planned out plot with lots of action. There is a graphic sex scene, part of a lucid dream, but other than that I found the novel entertaining and an enjoyable one to read. I'll be watching for more from this author.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The characters were well crafted. Madden came across as a real person. He had been successful as a detective but now retired lacked the focus to write his memoir. He was prime for working a cold case when approached. Fremmer came across as one of those New York City guys who tried to work all the angles.
I always appreciate learning something when I read a novel and this time it was about lucid dreaming. Some of the dream descriptions were a little too graphic for me in their sexual nature but otherwise, reading about them was interesting.
I recommend this novel to those who like a well planned out plot with lots of action. There is a graphic sex scene, part of a lucid dream, but other than that I found the novel entertaining and an enjoyable one to read. I'll be watching for more from this author.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 20, 2017
I was lucky enough to be part of a Partners in Crime blog tour for this novel. Please go check out my post for extra info about the book, an excerpt and the chance to with an Amazon gift card! https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/201...
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Do whatever you do with conviction. Always.
This is my first Carnoy novel but I’m definitely going to check out his others. Lucidity did not give up all its secrets at once! It was incredible at leaving you guessing what was going to happen next and being able to come up with your own theories on what was going on. That being said, it was still fast paced and exciting enough to keep you hooked. I only say this when I really mean it, but this was unputdownable! I liked the mix of morbidity, mystery and wit in this novel. It had a good mix of all three that made for some excellent, fast paced reading.
To begin with, I wasn’t so sure how the two stories connected. When, at 50%, the stories still hadn’t really crossed I was a bit unsure if I was going to understand how the separate plots worked together. However, be patient! It’s well worth the wait! Even though there are parts that can be predicted, this doesn’t take away from the excitement of reading about it.
The characters in this novel are really well executed. Even though I hadn’t read any of the other books featuring Madden, I didn’t feel like I didn’t know him. When you go into a series midway, even when they’re standalone books but with the same characters, you often find yourself a little bit lost on the mc as you don’t have their history. This wasn’t the case here. Madden was well introduced and maintained throughout the read.
Fremmer was a fun character to get to know. It’s not often that you get a character like him in a novel. He was intelligent and quick witted, but he was also arrogant and a little bit self absorbed, so it’s amazing how likable he still was.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the ending got a little cheesy which felt out of place when compared to tone the book kept throughout, but it wasn’t that much of an issue.
Thanks to Partners in Crime book tours for giving me a free copy of the book to read, review & promote!
----
Do whatever you do with conviction. Always.
This is my first Carnoy novel but I’m definitely going to check out his others. Lucidity did not give up all its secrets at once! It was incredible at leaving you guessing what was going to happen next and being able to come up with your own theories on what was going on. That being said, it was still fast paced and exciting enough to keep you hooked. I only say this when I really mean it, but this was unputdownable! I liked the mix of morbidity, mystery and wit in this novel. It had a good mix of all three that made for some excellent, fast paced reading.
To begin with, I wasn’t so sure how the two stories connected. When, at 50%, the stories still hadn’t really crossed I was a bit unsure if I was going to understand how the separate plots worked together. However, be patient! It’s well worth the wait! Even though there are parts that can be predicted, this doesn’t take away from the excitement of reading about it.
The characters in this novel are really well executed. Even though I hadn’t read any of the other books featuring Madden, I didn’t feel like I didn’t know him. When you go into a series midway, even when they’re standalone books but with the same characters, you often find yourself a little bit lost on the mc as you don’t have their history. This wasn’t the case here. Madden was well introduced and maintained throughout the read.
Fremmer was a fun character to get to know. It’s not often that you get a character like him in a novel. He was intelligent and quick witted, but he was also arrogant and a little bit self absorbed, so it’s amazing how likable he still was.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the ending got a little cheesy which felt out of place when compared to tone the book kept throughout, but it wasn’t that much of an issue.
Thanks to Partners in Crime book tours for giving me a free copy of the book to read, review & promote!
January 26, 2017
Reality versus lucid dreams? Can one control the other? Enter the world created by David Carnoy in LUCIDITY and become entangled in a world of missing persons, cold cases, attempted murders and a questionable center designed around the study of and lucid dreams.
California: Retired Detective Hank Madden has been hired to close out missing persons file from two decades earlier.
New York: a well-known author is pushed into the path of an oncoming car. Her editor, Max Fremmer, a quirky kind of guy may be a suspect and digs into her background and finds a connection to a shady lucid dreaming clinic. How was Candace involved?
When a connection is made between Madden’s case in California and Max’s own investigations in New York, this unlikely duo teams up to expose the clinic and discover what is going on. Will they get to the bottom of a twenty year old case and discover who wants Candace dead?
Twisted like a road climbing a mountain, filled with surprises and intrigue, this suspenseful tale is one of those tales where an armchair detective will be hard-pressed to guess the big reveals at the end. A little gritty, a little humorous and filled with unique ideas, a great read for mystery fans and amateur sleuths, alike.
I received an ARC edition from David Carnoy in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: The Overlook Press (February 7, 2017)
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Genre: Mystery | Suspense
Print Length: 288 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
California: Retired Detective Hank Madden has been hired to close out missing persons file from two decades earlier.
New York: a well-known author is pushed into the path of an oncoming car. Her editor, Max Fremmer, a quirky kind of guy may be a suspect and digs into her background and finds a connection to a shady lucid dreaming clinic. How was Candace involved?
When a connection is made between Madden’s case in California and Max’s own investigations in New York, this unlikely duo teams up to expose the clinic and discover what is going on. Will they get to the bottom of a twenty year old case and discover who wants Candace dead?
Twisted like a road climbing a mountain, filled with surprises and intrigue, this suspenseful tale is one of those tales where an armchair detective will be hard-pressed to guess the big reveals at the end. A little gritty, a little humorous and filled with unique ideas, a great read for mystery fans and amateur sleuths, alike.
I received an ARC edition from David Carnoy in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: The Overlook Press (February 7, 2017)
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Genre: Mystery | Suspense
Print Length: 288 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 19, 2017
a good mystery thriller that will keep you guessing full of twist thanks to goodreads for the free book
February 20, 2017
"Twenty years after the unsolved case of Stacey Walker’s disappearance went cold, a Silicon Valley executive hires the retired Menlo Park Police Detective Hank Madden to find her body and track down her missing husband, the prime suspect in her unsolved murder. Four months later, author Candace Epstein is pushed in front of a car near Central Park. Her editor Max Fremmer becomes entangled into the investigation of her attempted murder, though he is adamant that he is uninvolved. As he digs into Candace’s background to clear his own name, Fremmer grows suspicious of his client’s connection to a nefarious institute for lucid dreaming on the Upper East Side and its staff whose stories never seem to add up—all while an unexpected link emerges to Detective Madden’s investigation in California." (source)
I picked this up because I really enjoyed David Carnoy's previous novel, The Big Exit, and as a follow up, this didn't let me down! The writing is what stood out to me the most about both books. I'd describe it as both literary and clever. The author often made me smile with his wry observations. His writing is good enough that I feel each word is chosen with care and yet, it's beyond my writing ability to tell you what he's done that makes it work so well. He also manages to do all this without losing the excitement and fast pace that makes thrillers so much fun. I particularly enjoyed the setting as well. Recognizing the Silicon Valley locations in Madden's part of the story added a little extra something to the reading experience.
The main characters were not my favorite. They both felt like your stereotypical, hard-boiled detective to me and I had trouble keeping track of who was who. The minor characters were a different story, very distinctive with a ton of fun quirks without becoming (too) unbelievable. The plot was also just this side of too unbelievable, but the author walked that line well. The action was constantly exciting and also believable enough for me to enjoy it as fiction. My only complaint is that the plot seemed to pull the characters along, rather than the characters driving the plot. Most of the answers just fell into the detectives' laps. Personally, I prefer to see detectives do something clever to get to the answers they need. This was a small problem though and certainly won't keep me from recommending this. If you enjoy thrillers and want something that feels unique or if you usually don't read thrillers for fear the writing will be too bland, you should definitely give Lucidity a chance.
This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
I picked this up because I really enjoyed David Carnoy's previous novel, The Big Exit, and as a follow up, this didn't let me down! The writing is what stood out to me the most about both books. I'd describe it as both literary and clever. The author often made me smile with his wry observations. His writing is good enough that I feel each word is chosen with care and yet, it's beyond my writing ability to tell you what he's done that makes it work so well. He also manages to do all this without losing the excitement and fast pace that makes thrillers so much fun. I particularly enjoyed the setting as well. Recognizing the Silicon Valley locations in Madden's part of the story added a little extra something to the reading experience.
The main characters were not my favorite. They both felt like your stereotypical, hard-boiled detective to me and I had trouble keeping track of who was who. The minor characters were a different story, very distinctive with a ton of fun quirks without becoming (too) unbelievable. The plot was also just this side of too unbelievable, but the author walked that line well. The action was constantly exciting and also believable enough for me to enjoy it as fiction. My only complaint is that the plot seemed to pull the characters along, rather than the characters driving the plot. Most of the answers just fell into the detectives' laps. Personally, I prefer to see detectives do something clever to get to the answers they need. This was a small problem though and certainly won't keep me from recommending this. If you enjoy thrillers and want something that feels unique or if you usually don't read thrillers for fear the writing will be too bland, you should definitely give Lucidity a chance.
This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
December 16, 2017
Painful attempts at hipness, with a middle-aged single-dad protagonist who rides a scooter, runs his "book-doctoring" business out of Starbucks, advising would-be novelists to change the gender of a protagonist ("You're a pair of tits and a vagina away from fulfilling your destiny"), and in his spare time teaches a spinning class. One conversation contained eight "bro"'s. Another character embellishes it to "brochacho." Someone says, "We Moneyballed that shit." Someone else, or maybe it was the same person, says, "What's up, dog?" (Technically, I believe this should be spelled dawg.)
I'm too old for this shit.
I'm old enough to remember a time when writers knew what dangling modifiers were, and that they were not supposed to use them. There are several here. The worst one, which almost deserves a round of applause: "A level-one trauma center, Bernstein had worked at the hospital for over ten years." And few remaining English speakers know the word wangle, but it is a word, and it should have been used here: "Somehow Isabelle had managed to wrangle herself an apartment...."
December 14, 2017
If I can use the word "genial" to describe a style of writing, I would use that description to explain the feeling I got from the portrayal of the two main characters in this book. I also tended to mix up the two characters somehow throughout the book. Since both men's personalities are likable and felt similar to me, the only way I sometimes could tell them apart was by their environment or supporting characters. I think stronger and more apparent differences between these two might have made these better and more interesting personality characterizations.
The two main characters, who finally get to work together near the end of this story, are Detective Hank Madden and (self described) "book doctor" Max Fremmer. This bicoastal story involves an unsolved cold case and a missing husband, and includes a woman shoved in front of a car. It weaves in and out, has some good characterizations and surprises, and was generally a pleasant read.
The two main characters, who finally get to work together near the end of this story, are Detective Hank Madden and (self described) "book doctor" Max Fremmer. This bicoastal story involves an unsolved cold case and a missing husband, and includes a woman shoved in front of a car. It weaves in and out, has some good characterizations and surprises, and was generally a pleasant read.
May 12, 2017
It's not thrilling or lucid. In fact, "Lucidity" is rather a red herring. The book is dull, with incidents that pile up instead of building momentum or a sense of peril. It's populated by characters who range from a fast-talking, douchey (or perhaps he'd prefer "prick") "book doctor" to a detective whose minor handicap and retired status are his only salient personality features to a female con-artist sketched broadly within the lines of "middle-aged man's fantasy tough chick" to a (theoretically) dead murderer who turns out to be a REALLY BAD GUY in all the generic ways (manic-depressive, bullying, wife-beater and child-molester). The central mystery/mysteries (yes, it's all connected, as you guess it will be) are pedestrian. None of the characters is interesting enough to justify their page time, and nobody is fleshed out; this feels like a half-baked follow-up to a previous and more successful book, with the author counting on fans' previously established affections to carry them through the sequel. And, worst of all, the whole story is pointless--so much so that when the two main characters face a choice between upholding the law and going to work for a self-confessed killer, we don't even see them consider the decision. The big confrontation scene ends abruptly, and a brief wrap-up offhandedly reveals the weirdly weightless outcome. Perhaps Mr. Carnoy wasn't particularly interested in these people, either.
April 24, 2017
This book was a great read. It was the mystery I was looking for at the moment and had that suspense. Full of twists, just when you are suspecting one person, you realize it is another.
February 10, 2017
I enjoyed the humanity of the characters. Carnoy avoids making anyone a stereotype. He needs a copy editor, though! One glaring dangling modifier and a lot of smaller errors.
July 6, 2017
Chapter 1 opens in New York with a book doctor advising someone on how to fix his novel. A police detective approaches- needs to talk to him about one of his clients who was hit by a car. Chapter 2 opens "Four months before..." in California- a retired detective is offered up to $3 million to find a missing woman who is believed to have been murdered by her husband 20 years ago - and the husband who disappeared soon after the wife. The chapters alternate between the two apparently unrelated situations. I hate books that do this. Of course the events aren't unrelated and the reader has to be a moron not to figure it out. I also thought, several times, "he wouldn't do that." But I finished it- so just barely three stars.
January 28, 2020
This book could have gotten 3 stars if there weren’t so many proofreading errors. I remember at least 5 or 6 and several were just on one page.
Overall, the story is interesting and it is a quick read. But the novel itself is driven by 80% dialogue. Carnoy does the best setting up his scenes by relying on the reader’s (non)existent knowledge of various pop culture movies rather than an ability to describe it. There are also a lot of interesting characters and situations that I think could have added to the mysteriousness of the storyline, but they flatlined and because of that felt like those plot points were excessive.
This would probably do better on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
Overall, the story is interesting and it is a quick read. But the novel itself is driven by 80% dialogue. Carnoy does the best setting up his scenes by relying on the reader’s (non)existent knowledge of various pop culture movies rather than an ability to describe it. There are also a lot of interesting characters and situations that I think could have added to the mysteriousness of the storyline, but they flatlined and because of that felt like those plot points were excessive.
This would probably do better on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
February 25, 2017
A terrific read! I brought this book on vacation and loved getting lost in its smart twists and turns. Having read Carnoy's previous books, I knew there would be surprises, but nonetheless, he got me good at the end. I also love all the references to familiar features of modern life (e.g. technology). It gave me a feeling of "being there" as the contexts and details felt so familiar and real. Finally, I love the humanity of the characters. They were three dimensional and likable. A wonderful read!
August 20, 2017
I believe this is his third book, and it is good but not my favorite. His two previous mysteries are better, but this is an easy, summer read with interesting characters and a mystery that ties together events in California and New York, one a cold case and the other an "accident" that occurs when a homeless person pushes a women into traffic.
February 26, 2019
It's only gets three stars because the narrator of the audiobook was really good. The story itself left a lot to be desired. the title and description made me think it was going to be a more exciting exploration of dreams and potentially questioning reality. It was instead I rather dull mystery. Two separate stories that ended up connecting in a rather uninspired way.
January 30, 2022
I liked this one, but have one issue. There are two crimes, one in California and the other in New York City. Both unfold with believable characters, but it isn't until nearly three quarters of the book through that we find out what links the two. Before that it feels as if there are two distinct stories. As I noted, both are interesting but .... In any case, it was a good read.
July 25, 2017
I had a hard time getting into this one. I think there was a good story there, but I had a hard time keeping the two main characters straight, since they were so much alike. I found the story a little difficult to follow.
May 18, 2017
I really like this book. Thank you for sharing it with me.
June 26, 2017
Okay but not that great. Good mystery but the some of the characters became tedious after awhile. It's a book you find yourself putting down after a few pages.
October 14, 2017
I'm disappointed that there was no actual story line with the lucid dreaming center.
April 15, 2018
I enjoyed Carnoy’s Knife Music and The Big Exit and was looking forward to finishing the trilogy. Such a disappointment. The book was simply boring. Perhaps Carney should have used the book doctor.
June 16, 2018
My least favorite book of the trilogy. Some of this felt phoned in and he stretched the boundaries of belief with some aspects of the plot.
July 2, 2018
good book
title has almost nothing to do with the book, unless it was deeper than i thought
title has almost nothing to do with the book, unless it was deeper than i thought
June 1, 2017
This is my first time to read a David Carnoy.
I think the story started slowly. Then, it picked up speed on the 2/3rd part of the story. The action and events became fast-paced as it neared its conclusion. Until the very last part of the story, it wasn't very clear if all the assumptions and theories of both Madden and Fremmer, were any closer to the truth. Not until a confession came to light. It was so unexpected that I did not see it coming. Not in any way. There were no hints or anything that might have led me to believe or theorize. It was so unforeseen. Also, all my theories and conjectures as to the individuals, the case and all the other characters involved in this finely-entangled plot were all wrong. Not even close.
I am a big mystery and suspense fan. Especially, crime thrillers and mysteries and I would like to believe that I am quite an avid reader who reads between the lines and can spot nuances and unsuspecting characters that are going to be essential to the whole story but for this book, I was put to shame. My years of reading thrillers have not been good enough for this book. I was like a blind bat. I did not see how the story would end or who really committed the crime. Wow! I was so flummoxed which means that the writer really did a great job of making sure that I am in for the surprise of my life.
My only observation was how the start of the story was paced. I think it was slow for a book of this caliber. I wished it was faster. I think the most interesting parts of the story started right in the middle. If the start were as engrossing as the rest, then we won't have to talk about anything here but how I was rendered an amateur in the whole crime and thriller reading.
I have two questions that were not answered in this story. First, is what happened to the teenage daughter of Candace Epstein. It was never mentioned in the book what happened to her after her mother died. Fremmer was concerned about the child's future and since everything turned out better for everyone, I guess it was just fair that the future of the child was guaranteed also. Second, is who was Shelby? What was really his interest in the whole affair? Why would he spend millions if he wasn't emotionally or for whatever reason he was into the whole thing? Was he related to the victim? What were really his motives? I think there was more to it than just being so disturbed by the death that he lost sleep. It was never clear what Shelby was or who was he in relation to the crime, the victims and the dead. I think there was more to Shelby than just a rich man wanting for a cold case to be solved and have nothing else to do with his money.
One more thing, I agree with Fremmer, that an "iPhone or an Android for Guns" would make a good program for keeping guns off the streets of New York or for any city. Yes, our police chief, commissioner, or the mayor should get creative.
I give the book 4/5 shovels. This book was finely-crafted and way out of my league. I never figured out any of the things that happened here. All my theories, for the life of me, were wrong. I loved that this book had shoved me to a corner where I am at a lost as to who killed who. I am amazed to be confused this way. The writer is truthfully a master of this game and I am but a novice claiming to be proficient in it. Congratulations David Carnoy. You've fooled me and I was happy for it. This has been an experience.
When you got no favorites, you bet the long shot.
- David Carnoy, Lucidity -
Thank you again, PICT for the review copy.
I think the story started slowly. Then, it picked up speed on the 2/3rd part of the story. The action and events became fast-paced as it neared its conclusion. Until the very last part of the story, it wasn't very clear if all the assumptions and theories of both Madden and Fremmer, were any closer to the truth. Not until a confession came to light. It was so unexpected that I did not see it coming. Not in any way. There were no hints or anything that might have led me to believe or theorize. It was so unforeseen. Also, all my theories and conjectures as to the individuals, the case and all the other characters involved in this finely-entangled plot were all wrong. Not even close.
I am a big mystery and suspense fan. Especially, crime thrillers and mysteries and I would like to believe that I am quite an avid reader who reads between the lines and can spot nuances and unsuspecting characters that are going to be essential to the whole story but for this book, I was put to shame. My years of reading thrillers have not been good enough for this book. I was like a blind bat. I did not see how the story would end or who really committed the crime. Wow! I was so flummoxed which means that the writer really did a great job of making sure that I am in for the surprise of my life.
My only observation was how the start of the story was paced. I think it was slow for a book of this caliber. I wished it was faster. I think the most interesting parts of the story started right in the middle. If the start were as engrossing as the rest, then we won't have to talk about anything here but how I was rendered an amateur in the whole crime and thriller reading.
I have two questions that were not answered in this story. First, is what happened to the teenage daughter of Candace Epstein. It was never mentioned in the book what happened to her after her mother died. Fremmer was concerned about the child's future and since everything turned out better for everyone, I guess it was just fair that the future of the child was guaranteed also. Second, is who was Shelby? What was really his interest in the whole affair? Why would he spend millions if he wasn't emotionally or for whatever reason he was into the whole thing? Was he related to the victim? What were really his motives? I think there was more to it than just being so disturbed by the death that he lost sleep. It was never clear what Shelby was or who was he in relation to the crime, the victims and the dead. I think there was more to Shelby than just a rich man wanting for a cold case to be solved and have nothing else to do with his money.
One more thing, I agree with Fremmer, that an "iPhone or an Android for Guns" would make a good program for keeping guns off the streets of New York or for any city. Yes, our police chief, commissioner, or the mayor should get creative.
I give the book 4/5 shovels. This book was finely-crafted and way out of my league. I never figured out any of the things that happened here. All my theories, for the life of me, were wrong. I loved that this book had shoved me to a corner where I am at a lost as to who killed who. I am amazed to be confused this way. The writer is truthfully a master of this game and I am but a novice claiming to be proficient in it. Congratulations David Carnoy. You've fooled me and I was happy for it. This has been an experience.
When you got no favorites, you bet the long shot.
- David Carnoy, Lucidity -
Thank you again, PICT for the review copy.
February 18, 2017
Retired Detective Hank Madden is working in a hardware store in California. He enjoys this work but misses his days on the police force. So when a man approaches him about finding the body of Stacey Walker twenty years after her disappearance he is intrigued. He's even more intrigued when he's offered a million dollars if he finds the body. Hank accepts the offer and quickly gets a team together to help him hunt.
Meanwhile on the East Coast an erotica author named Candace is hit by a car and is in intensive care. They call her editor Max Fremmer to get information about her. He goes to the police station to talk to the cops and finds that it was no accident. A homeless man pushed her in front of the car and she may not make it.
Later in the day Max gets a call from a man who owns the Lucidity dream clinic. He claims Candace owes him $50,000 and Max has until the end of the day to pay him. Max has no clue what is going on and doesn't have the money the man is looking for.
The book goes back and forth between both coasts and between Max and Hank. They are each doing their own thing and for a while I wondered what the connection was between them. About halfway into the book they finally come together and their stories intertwine.
I was thrown off by several red herrings in this book and thought that I had things figured out but I didn't have a clue. The ending blew my mind and was a twisted and exciting conclusion to the book.
I enjoyed reading this novel. It was fast paced, I was totally into the characters, and I couldn't wait to see how the two stories would cross paths. Things were not as they seemed throughout the story but in the end everything worked out for those involved.
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Meanwhile on the East Coast an erotica author named Candace is hit by a car and is in intensive care. They call her editor Max Fremmer to get information about her. He goes to the police station to talk to the cops and finds that it was no accident. A homeless man pushed her in front of the car and she may not make it.
Later in the day Max gets a call from a man who owns the Lucidity dream clinic. He claims Candace owes him $50,000 and Max has until the end of the day to pay him. Max has no clue what is going on and doesn't have the money the man is looking for.
The book goes back and forth between both coasts and between Max and Hank. They are each doing their own thing and for a while I wondered what the connection was between them. About halfway into the book they finally come together and their stories intertwine.
I was thrown off by several red herrings in this book and thought that I had things figured out but I didn't have a clue. The ending blew my mind and was a twisted and exciting conclusion to the book.
I enjoyed reading this novel. It was fast paced, I was totally into the characters, and I couldn't wait to see how the two stories would cross paths. Things were not as they seemed throughout the story but in the end everything worked out for those involved.
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
February 24, 2017
Good quick read.
February 9, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won't be the last.
Retired Detective Hank Madden, from CA, is approached by a wealthy business man to investigate and solve a cold case of twenty years in the disappearance of a husband and wife. And the reward is in the millions if he is successful. At the same time, in New York, a woman is pushed into oncoming traffic. Are these 2 incidents connected? And if so, how?
When the author ties it all together, and reveals the connection, it was shocking. An ending that blew me away.
This story was a page turner, the characters believable, the action is non stop. Exciting!
Mr. Carnoy has definitely been added to my "authors to read" list. I can't wait to read more of his work.
Definitely recommend!
Retired Detective Hank Madden, from CA, is approached by a wealthy business man to investigate and solve a cold case of twenty years in the disappearance of a husband and wife. And the reward is in the millions if he is successful. At the same time, in New York, a woman is pushed into oncoming traffic. Are these 2 incidents connected? And if so, how?
When the author ties it all together, and reveals the connection, it was shocking. An ending that blew me away.
This story was a page turner, the characters believable, the action is non stop. Exciting!
Mr. Carnoy has definitely been added to my "authors to read" list. I can't wait to read more of his work.
Definitely recommend!
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