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Severed
The Louisiana parish of Nakadee, a typical town of Creoles, Cajuns, Blacks, and Whites, is more interested in its annual Hot Sauce Festival than in the lives of two eccentric celebrity writers living in the “Hollykook” house. Dr. Lula Logan, a Northerner teaching forensic anthropology at the local university—and researching the stories buried in the graves of local slaves—is reluctantly drawn into an investigation by her ex-boyfriend, a detective, regarding a severed finger left at the Police Department. As the investigation expands, she is caught up in a romantic tug-of-war with an enigmatic U.S. Congressman who turns her liberal worldview upside down. She is also thrust into the lives of the town’s colorful suspects, including a head-turning Confederate-sympathizing college student, a precocious wanna-be- rapper, and a scholarly handyman.
Everybody is connected in Nakadee, which leads to intriguing alliances among the rich, not so rich, and those on their way to being important. When the crimes become a murder investigation, Lula discovers that small towns like Nakadee are not always what they seem, and sometimes hide very big secrets.
Everybody is connected in Nakadee, which leads to intriguing alliances among the rich, not so rich, and those on their way to being important. When the crimes become a murder investigation, Lula discovers that small towns like Nakadee are not always what they seem, and sometimes hide very big secrets.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2015
8 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 20, 2016
Dr. Lula Logan is a single black female forensic Anthropologist living and working in a very small Louisiana town.
She is contacted by her ex-boyfriend, Detective Devon Lemonde to help in the investigation of the severed fingers found on the steps of the police station.
There is so much to this story. It is a mystery .. there are bodies involved ... but the most interesting aspect is a view of race in southern America .. especially when it comes to a professional black woman.
It's very well written, the plot is intriguing. The characters are finely drawn. There are several extremely interesting suspects. Lula is going to come to realize that everyone has secrets..and small towns can hold very large secrets.
Many thanks to the author and Word Slinger Publicity who provided a copy of SEVERED in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
She is contacted by her ex-boyfriend, Detective Devon Lemonde to help in the investigation of the severed fingers found on the steps of the police station.
There is so much to this story. It is a mystery .. there are bodies involved ... but the most interesting aspect is a view of race in southern America .. especially when it comes to a professional black woman.
It's very well written, the plot is intriguing. The characters are finely drawn. There are several extremely interesting suspects. Lula is going to come to realize that everyone has secrets..and small towns can hold very large secrets.
Many thanks to the author and Word Slinger Publicity who provided a copy of SEVERED in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
June 27, 2016
An excellent story with a most interesting main character. As an added bonus, I didn't notice a single typo anywhere in the novel. Well done!
March 8, 2017
Severed, A Novel is a crime thriller charbroiled in a damning indictment of American society with a side of biting cultural and social commentary on the menu.
Although “Severed” is a crime thriller and an entertaining whodunit, I recommend it as a self-help book to readers who are seeking to get out of their own way to become their best by validating their own talent.
Often, we will seek validation from others to feel good about ourselves without recognizing the destruction that we leave in our wake.
We’ll leave our noble causes by the wayside to join in on something that isn’t worthy of our time just win the approval from someone who doesn’t matter.
“Severed” allows us to experience the ramifications of the decisions we make, especially when the means never justify the end.
“Severed” forces the reader to separate goals from motives and determine which goals serve the greater good and which serve the weakened ego. The latter, we learn, always brings chaos, death and destruction whereas the former adds meaning to our lives and advances civilization.
Visit the novelist, VL Towler at SeveredaNoveldotcom
Although “Severed” is a crime thriller and an entertaining whodunit, I recommend it as a self-help book to readers who are seeking to get out of their own way to become their best by validating their own talent.
Often, we will seek validation from others to feel good about ourselves without recognizing the destruction that we leave in our wake.
We’ll leave our noble causes by the wayside to join in on something that isn’t worthy of our time just win the approval from someone who doesn’t matter.
“Severed” allows us to experience the ramifications of the decisions we make, especially when the means never justify the end.
“Severed” forces the reader to separate goals from motives and determine which goals serve the greater good and which serve the weakened ego. The latter, we learn, always brings chaos, death and destruction whereas the former adds meaning to our lives and advances civilization.
Visit the novelist, VL Towler at SeveredaNoveldotcom
April 18, 2016
Anyone looking for a study on how to write brilliant character led fiction, read Severed. Without a doubt one of the best books I have read in a long time it has one of the strongest opening chapters I have ever read. A few words in and it's so well described, the dialogue so good and the characters so strong that I could imagine myself in real life surround by the events as they unfolded. The other thing is that there is plenty of clever humour used throughout the book. Some author’s get it totally wrong V L Towler gets it bang to rights every time. It easy to wax lyrical when you feel you have read an exceptional book but it really was that good.
June 20, 2016
This is a complex, multi-layered story; not a genre I typically read, so I'm taking it slow. I'm finding that the characters are well developed and the social commentary is thoughtfully presented without being strident. I'll be reporting back when I'm finished!
May 30, 2022
I was very excited to find a mystery set in Louisiana. The setting and culture(s) make for an engaging story. The plot was unpredictable, with new complications and developments to throw the investigation (and reader's predictions) in many different directions.
I had a bit of trouble sorting some characters out--there were a few too many for my tastes. I know that's totally subjective, but there were times when I was a bit confused on where (or if) a character had been introduced previously. As I got to know the characters, it was easier to keep them straight in my head. And, of course, there's the tradeoff of needing enough characters to be able to pull off a successful murder mystery while keeping the audience guessing.
I was partially drawn to this book because of its description of the town's residents. It's exciting to see Cajuns in novels, and the author was able to get the reader to understand how the different groups interact. At times, it was a bit more telling than showing, particularly in the discussion of race relations. The information is good, and I agree with the author's assessment. It just sometimes seemed like we were taking a break from the narrative to learn about the history of racism. It may be possible to intertwine this a bit more smoothly at times. And, with all of that said, I (European/Cajun ancestry) did gain some insight into how some groups perceive themselves and each other--some subtleties in conversation and interactions.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I was kept guessing right until the end, and the author clearly had some good knowledge about the subject matter. The relationships are complicated, which makes sense for a small southern town and provides some good conflict. It's outside of the genres I usually read, and it was a nice change--the sort of book I should read more often.
I had a bit of trouble sorting some characters out--there were a few too many for my tastes. I know that's totally subjective, but there were times when I was a bit confused on where (or if) a character had been introduced previously. As I got to know the characters, it was easier to keep them straight in my head. And, of course, there's the tradeoff of needing enough characters to be able to pull off a successful murder mystery while keeping the audience guessing.
I was partially drawn to this book because of its description of the town's residents. It's exciting to see Cajuns in novels, and the author was able to get the reader to understand how the different groups interact. At times, it was a bit more telling than showing, particularly in the discussion of race relations. The information is good, and I agree with the author's assessment. It just sometimes seemed like we were taking a break from the narrative to learn about the history of racism. It may be possible to intertwine this a bit more smoothly at times. And, with all of that said, I (European/Cajun ancestry) did gain some insight into how some groups perceive themselves and each other--some subtleties in conversation and interactions.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I was kept guessing right until the end, and the author clearly had some good knowledge about the subject matter. The relationships are complicated, which makes sense for a small southern town and provides some good conflict. It's outside of the genres I usually read, and it was a nice change--the sort of book I should read more often.
March 6, 2018
Severed by VL Towler is the perfect book to reading during this month (March). This novel features a black educated woman who is plunged into a big murder investigation. From politics to the crazy locals, Dr. Lula and her ex-boyfriend will have their hands full. The cultural aspects of the different characters inside this fictional town was fun to read. Louisiana is the best place for this kind of chaos and murder to happen. It felt real. A lot of racial issues were brought into this story. Blacks versus whites etc. and the danger is enough to cause a sense of fear... chills running down my back. Here, unlike most stories a black person is behind the danger...and Dr. Lula will find her life in danger. Survival, forensics, and chasing after a killer kept me entertained. I cannot wait to see what happens next. Overall, the plot was good (3.5-stars), the intrigue and suspense (4-stars each), the characterization is spot on (5-stars).
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary.
July 19, 2017
Our book club read. A thrilling whodunit all the way to the disappointing end.
October 2, 2016
Couldn't get past the first few chapters. Bad, forced writing.
March 3, 2018
A detailed, descriptive, AMAZING, nail biting, and thought provoking novel is written with a depth of intelligence, research, history, wisdom, experience, and truth which can only be told by an author, in such a way, to reach every reader. And all walks of life. When I read, 'Severed', I took my time, enjoyed each twist and turn, researched historical facts in which I had myself forgotten about. It kept me feeling like I couldn't wait to find out the next piece.
My favorite character was Lula the Forensic Anthropologist. Author V.L. Towler used excellent description to allowing me to feel like I was actually in the story witnessing the characters and happenings. In 'Severed', Dr. Lula Logan is an absolutely beautiful, confident black woman who is has the intelligence and wisdom to survive within any environment. However, by racism and bigotry. She acquired all the accolades of peers, both male and female. Shes the best and only one available. Yet 'still' not good enough. An ailment blacks face daily. Her education, wisdom, intuition, and discernment and beauty is what set her apart. I loved her Lula's sassiness! Her intelligence. Her fight. Her endurance. She fought and pursued through the distraction to find the TRUTH. She didn't allow the SYSTEM to dictate what the truth was going to be.
This novel. Is A MUST READ FOR AGES 13+. This is realistic and touches everyone life---from the ground up!!..
I 💘 LOVE(D) THIS NOVEL. More importantly I appreciate it. It confirms our everyday struggle in this world the seen and unseen, as a black female. I am reading it again....
I bought another and encouraged several people to read and keep in library. I am suggesting it as a High School Novel. I am putting it on my facebook page as a
A MUST READ!!!!!
Jas.Business@live.com
My favorite character was Lula the Forensic Anthropologist. Author V.L. Towler used excellent description to allowing me to feel like I was actually in the story witnessing the characters and happenings. In 'Severed', Dr. Lula Logan is an absolutely beautiful, confident black woman who is has the intelligence and wisdom to survive within any environment. However, by racism and bigotry. She acquired all the accolades of peers, both male and female. Shes the best and only one available. Yet 'still' not good enough. An ailment blacks face daily. Her education, wisdom, intuition, and discernment and beauty is what set her apart. I loved her Lula's sassiness! Her intelligence. Her fight. Her endurance. She fought and pursued through the distraction to find the TRUTH. She didn't allow the SYSTEM to dictate what the truth was going to be.
This novel. Is A MUST READ FOR AGES 13+. This is realistic and touches everyone life---from the ground up!!..
I 💘 LOVE(D) THIS NOVEL. More importantly I appreciate it. It confirms our everyday struggle in this world the seen and unseen, as a black female. I am reading it again....
I bought another and encouraged several people to read and keep in library. I am suggesting it as a High School Novel. I am putting it on my facebook page as a
A MUST READ!!!!!
Jas.Business@live.com
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews