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Somewhere Over Lorain Road
For more than forty years, the stain of horrific allegations against their father has haunted the Esker sons. When three little boys were murdered in 1975, their dad was suspected of the crimes. The immense strain of the unsolved case shattered the family, sending the brothers reeling into destinies of death, flight, and, in the case of Don Esker, shame-filled silence.
Years later, Don returns to the family home in North Homestead, Ohio, to help care for his dying father in his final months. His dad longs for the peace that will only come with clearing his name. If Don can find the killer, he can heal his family—and himself. His own redemption begins when he becomes romantically involved with Bruce, who joins the hunt and forces Don to confront the unthinkable answer they’ve uncovered.
Years later, Don returns to the family home in North Homestead, Ohio, to help care for his dying father in his final months. His dad longs for the peace that will only come with clearing his name. If Don can find the killer, he can heal his family—and himself. His own redemption begins when he becomes romantically involved with Bruce, who joins the hunt and forces Don to confront the unthinkable answer they’ve uncovered.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2018
152 people want to read
About the author
Bud Gundy
5 books18 followersIn addition to being a Lambda Literary Award finalist, Bud is an Executive Producer and on-air host for KQED, San Francisco's PBS and NPR affiliate. He's won two Emmy Awards and his novel Elf Gift was considered for inclusion on the Over the Rainbow list by the GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association. He is on Twitter but he rarely checks his feed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 29, 2019
31st Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalist
***My personal favorite for the 31st Lammy. But I have learned...my taste differs from the official jury.
What an engaging read!
Without artificially fabricated loud actions or stunning twists or unexpected turns. Simply a great (quietly) told touching story, smooth in its course and harmonically with genres that perfectly tuned with each other.
Talking about genres...
This book is a mystery
That is where the story starts: Don, a high skilled marketing analyst, who has achieved everything in his field/life and now works only on contracts, mostly for friends, comes back to North Homestead, Ohio, his Hometown from San Francisco where he lives to take care of his dying father and to spend the last months with him. His family need him: his brothers and his mother are at their physical and psychological limits.
As he arrives, his father, in one of the moments free from the strong analgesics, expresses his biggest desire - to die officially innocent.(?) Soon we'll find out that more than forty years ago, in year 1975, a terrible crime shocked this small community - three little boys were disappeared and shortly after two of them were found murdered, and...the most horrible thing: this case has never been solved.
And...(who could guess?!) Don's father was for one evening one of the suspects. Even if the police confirmed these accusations one day later as unfounded, this event changed a normal life of Don's family completely. This one evening, when the local police broke in their house under the watchful eyes of the citizens made Don's father to a child's murderer.
The only possibility to clear the name of his father is to find a REAL killer. But is it possible forty years later?
This book is a gay fiction
My VERY best genre. And it is a big compliment to qualify a book as the one. It reminded me a bit of Michael Thomas Ford and Tom Mendicino - my favorite authors in gay literary fiction genre. And do you know what I did after I finished this book? I went to Amazon and purchased all books Bud Gundy has written. There are not many of them. But...let us remember: quality over quantity.
This book is about a family
A family dynamic. A family story. A family SAGA. A family. The story switches between NOW and THEN. I LOVE IT. LOVE IT.
This book is a romance
YEAH! It is. And I liked EVERYTHING between Don and Bruce. And I like Bruce! Who could think that this book would turn into romance in the second half?
I have to admit, that after reading the half of the book (or almost) I kept on thinking "WTF this cover has to do with this book?!" I didn't have a problem with the content, but I had a problem to tie WHAT I have read with the cover. A romance part will appear LATE in the book and with a quiet tread.
It is a wonderful romance story in it, but it is not LOUD...not dominated, not made in long detailed sex scene descriptions(THANKS for that!!!), but on an emotional level, and it is the best for me. And it appeared later in the story. Just be prepared.
I had a VERY busy month at work. Means, I couldn't actually read TOO late into the night. And you know what? I read this book THROUGH the night. Because I couldn't stop reading. And honestly, I don't even remember when it happened the last time.
Highly recommended!
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
***My personal favorite for the 31st Lammy. But I have learned...my taste differs from the official jury.
Somewhere Over Lorain Road could be misinterpreted as a Romance on Goodreads. It is not MM Romance as one could guess from the cover. This book HAS a romantic relationship, but Somewhere Over Lorain Road is in the first place Gay Mystery/LGBT Fiction.
What an engaging read!
Without artificially fabricated loud actions or stunning twists or unexpected turns. Simply a great (quietly) told touching story, smooth in its course and harmonically with genres that perfectly tuned with each other.
Talking about genres...
This book is a mystery
That is where the story starts: Don, a high skilled marketing analyst, who has achieved everything in his field/life and now works only on contracts, mostly for friends, comes back to North Homestead, Ohio, his Hometown from San Francisco where he lives to take care of his dying father and to spend the last months with him. His family need him: his brothers and his mother are at their physical and psychological limits.
As he arrives, his father, in one of the moments free from the strong analgesics, expresses his biggest desire - to die officially innocent.(?) Soon we'll find out that more than forty years ago, in year 1975, a terrible crime shocked this small community - three little boys were disappeared and shortly after two of them were found murdered, and...the most horrible thing: this case has never been solved.
And...(who could guess?!) Don's father was for one evening one of the suspects. Even if the police confirmed these accusations one day later as unfounded, this event changed a normal life of Don's family completely. This one evening, when the local police broke in their house under the watchful eyes of the citizens made Don's father to a child's murderer.
The only possibility to clear the name of his father is to find a REAL killer. But is it possible forty years later?
This book is a gay fiction
My VERY best genre. And it is a big compliment to qualify a book as the one. It reminded me a bit of Michael Thomas Ford and Tom Mendicino - my favorite authors in gay literary fiction genre. And do you know what I did after I finished this book? I went to Amazon and purchased all books Bud Gundy has written. There are not many of them. But...let us remember: quality over quantity.
This book is about a family
A family dynamic. A family story. A family SAGA. A family. The story switches between NOW and THEN. I LOVE IT. LOVE IT.
This book is a romance
YEAH! It is. And I liked EVERYTHING between Don and Bruce. And I like Bruce! Who could think that this book would turn into romance in the second half?
I have to admit, that after reading the half of the book (or almost) I kept on thinking "WTF this cover has to do with this book?!" I didn't have a problem with the content, but I had a problem to tie WHAT I have read with the cover. A romance part will appear LATE in the book and with a quiet tread.
It is a wonderful romance story in it, but it is not LOUD...not dominated, not made in long detailed sex scene descriptions(THANKS for that!!!), but on an emotional level, and it is the best for me. And it appeared later in the story. Just be prepared.
I had a VERY busy month at work. Means, I couldn't actually read TOO late into the night. And you know what? I read this book THROUGH the night. Because I couldn't stop reading. And honestly, I don't even remember when it happened the last time.
Highly recommended!
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
January 25, 2018
**4.5 stars**
Whoah. First time I read a book from this author and I couldn’t put it down.
What’s good to know : it’s not a romance but a mystery. And a good and original one, written from the perspective of persons of interest of a crime that happened 4 decades ago.
One fateful evening, a kid went missing and it irrevocably changed the life of Don and his family when Don’s father is being interrogated by the police. Forty years later, Don is trying to once and for all clear his father’s name, the clock ticking as Don’s father is dying from cancer.
It deals with the impact of suspicions and rumors and how everyone involved deal with it, each in a different way. And it’s sometimes raw. Triggers : not only does it refers to children’s brutal killings, but also to heroin’s use (it’s not gory, but it was a bit rough to read for me).
The writing is solid, the alternance between what happened in the 70’s and the present was very well done and complimented the description of Don’s family dynamics, both from Don’s perspective as a kid and as an adult, and Don’s efforts to unravel the truth.
I rounded it down only because the ending is a bit abrupt and I would have loved more romance in the mix, but in overall, it’s a "very good" whodunnit, heartbreaking and gripping.
Highly recommended.
** A copy of “Somewhere Over Lorain Road” was kindly provided to me by the publisher “Bold Strokes Books” via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review**
Whoah. First time I read a book from this author and I couldn’t put it down.
What’s good to know : it’s not a romance but a mystery. And a good and original one, written from the perspective of persons of interest of a crime that happened 4 decades ago.
One fateful evening, a kid went missing and it irrevocably changed the life of Don and his family when Don’s father is being interrogated by the police. Forty years later, Don is trying to once and for all clear his father’s name, the clock ticking as Don’s father is dying from cancer.
It deals with the impact of suspicions and rumors and how everyone involved deal with it, each in a different way. And it’s sometimes raw. Triggers : not only does it refers to children’s brutal killings, but also to heroin’s use (it’s not gory, but it was a bit rough to read for me).
The writing is solid, the alternance between what happened in the 70’s and the present was very well done and complimented the description of Don’s family dynamics, both from Don’s perspective as a kid and as an adult, and Don’s efforts to unravel the truth.
I rounded it down only because the ending is a bit abrupt and I would have loved more romance in the mix, but in overall, it’s a "very good" whodunnit, heartbreaking and gripping.
Highly recommended.
** A copy of “Somewhere Over Lorain Road” was kindly provided to me by the publisher “Bold Strokes Books” via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review**
January 30, 2018
This review is going to stick out like a sore thumb at this stage as I'm the only dissenting voice in a sea of praise but I just couldn't love this book. I could barely like it.
Gundy's novel is appealing on a lot of levels; in addition to the hook of the synopsis, we have a long-ago murder mystery being investigated by someone who is not doing it because it's their job but for their own personal reasons (which I thought would lend the experience some gravitas and yet didn't really), and our MCs are in their fifties. That last one really really got me excited because I'm always looking for not-twenty-somethings to read about. But sadly none of it lived up to what I had hoped to get from this read.
Returning home to spend time with his ailing father before he passes, Don discovers his father's dying wish is to be officially cleared of a crime he didn't commit. Three boys had been raped and murdered in their small town in the seventies, and Don's father had been one of the suspects. While his alibi had proven he could not have committed the atrocities, no one was ever charged and the associating pall had hung over their family, specifically Rob, for forty years.
As Don isn't a professional -- he is, in fact, a marketing analyst? or something -- a lot of his policing methods were questionable. Unlikely. However Gundy does a good job of at least making the character aware of his own shortcomings in his investigation and does let him stumble on a bit. Where I thought I could at least be comforted by the love story element of the book, instead the romance just.. kind of happens out of nowhere. I was never once sold on the connection between these two. Part of the problem might be because I never found Don to be a likeable character despite how much we're told he was just the best ever always. I seriously doubt I would be interested in someone who responds to being told they're handsome by saying 'yeah, okay, but about my family drama..'. Or, conversely, when the mystery is solved but Bruce goes on to talk about other reveals, Don shuts him down with a 'yeah, well, it's over for me, so drop it.' The only thing they seemed to have in common was their sexual orientation and the fact that they fell in love with each other in five seconds.
My dislike of Don wasn't really a shock, though, considering I don't think I liked any of the characters at all? This might not have been helped by awkward dialogue, flashbacks that encompassed more unfortunate moments than positive ones, and too much 'rah rah rah the gay boys are smarter and better than the straights'. It was all just a bit hard to swallow.
I'll admit that I did find the big mystery reveal to be a nice shock. I didn't see it coming despite the fact that along the way I wasn't sold on any of the suspects or the red herrings that were being tossed around. Even the reason for it was unexpected, but in a good way, as I could appreciate the realistic motive despite the awfulness of it all.
Ultimately, this was just not the story for me. I couldn't connect with the characters, the romance, was bored by some of the filler scenes, and I didn't enjoy the writing style. While the bare bones of the story had promise, I don't think I would pick up another book by this author.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Gundy's novel is appealing on a lot of levels; in addition to the hook of the synopsis, we have a long-ago murder mystery being investigated by someone who is not doing it because it's their job but for their own personal reasons (which I thought would lend the experience some gravitas and yet didn't really), and our MCs are in their fifties. That last one really really got me excited because I'm always looking for not-twenty-somethings to read about. But sadly none of it lived up to what I had hoped to get from this read.
Returning home to spend time with his ailing father before he passes, Don discovers his father's dying wish is to be officially cleared of a crime he didn't commit. Three boys had been raped and murdered in their small town in the seventies, and Don's father had been one of the suspects. While his alibi had proven he could not have committed the atrocities, no one was ever charged and the associating pall had hung over their family, specifically Rob, for forty years.
As Don isn't a professional -- he is, in fact, a marketing analyst? or something -- a lot of his policing methods were questionable. Unlikely. However Gundy does a good job of at least making the character aware of his own shortcomings in his investigation and does let him stumble on a bit. Where I thought I could at least be comforted by the love story element of the book, instead the romance just.. kind of happens out of nowhere. I was never once sold on the connection between these two. Part of the problem might be because I never found Don to be a likeable character despite how much we're told he was just the best ever always. I seriously doubt I would be interested in someone who responds to being told they're handsome by saying 'yeah, okay, but about my family drama..'. Or, conversely, when the mystery is solved but Bruce goes on to talk about other reveals, Don shuts him down with a 'yeah, well, it's over for me, so drop it.' The only thing they seemed to have in common was their sexual orientation and the fact that they fell in love with each other in five seconds.
My dislike of Don wasn't really a shock, though, considering I don't think I liked any of the characters at all? This might not have been helped by awkward dialogue, flashbacks that encompassed more unfortunate moments than positive ones, and too much 'rah rah rah the gay boys are smarter and better than the straights'. It was all just a bit hard to swallow.
I'll admit that I did find the big mystery reveal to be a nice shock. I didn't see it coming despite the fact that along the way I wasn't sold on any of the suspects or the red herrings that were being tossed around. Even the reason for it was unexpected, but in a good way, as I could appreciate the realistic motive despite the awfulness of it all.
Ultimately, this was just not the story for me. I couldn't connect with the characters, the romance, was bored by some of the filler scenes, and I didn't enjoy the writing style. While the bare bones of the story had promise, I don't think I would pick up another book by this author.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
April 22, 2019
I had a tough time working myself through this story. I gave up on it at the 40% mark, but I did read the last 10% in order to get the resolution of the story.
It’s an interesting family drama about three boys who are killed in 1975. One of the suspects is a family father whose alibi clears him quickly, but the damage in the small town community is done after the police take him away for questioning. As the killer is never found, the lingering doubt about the man remains.
The story is told more than 40 years later with lots of flashbacks to 1975 through the eyes of the family’s youngest son, Don. Don is a gay man living in San Francisco who returns to his hometown to care for his dying father. He’s in his mid-fifties and a hot gym rat. That’s literally all we get to learn about his adult self in the parts I’ve read.
His dad’s last wish is to finally be cleared of all accusations against him concerning the murders of 1975. And since Don doesn’t have anything to do but write some reports for a job he doesn’t really mention anywhere, he goes all PI and tries to find out who murdered them.
I am pretty unhappy with this story. It’s very plot-intense and is mainly a whodunit with a gay spin. Don tells us the story through his POV, but I never found myself get a grab on Don as a character. Even when he talked, there wasn’t any feedback on himself. It felt like reading a screenplay. All dialogue and no emotional explanations. In other words, it was incredibly dry and I didn’t care for Don at all. Actually, his 10 year old self in the flashbacks was much more relatable and approachable than his adult persona which I found particularly odd.
I was looking forward to the introduction of Bruce, a gay friend of a friend, who happened to be the random good looking hunky loner often found in romance novels who is miraculously single in his 50s and just waiting to be the love interest here.
I didn’t like the way they hit things off and I generally didn’t like the way their interactions were portrayed, which saddens me a bit, since I usually love a gay male author’s spin on things. After all, male authors are still a bit underrepresented in the m/m genre.
The plot was very interesting, although having read the ending, I really wasn’t surprised about the outcome. I hadn’t actually considered that turn of events because it seemed too obvious…
All in all, this story wasn’t the greatest reading experience for me. It was much more a mystery than it was a gay themed novel (like the cover suggests). It would probably have worked even better if it wasn’t trying to be a gay romance at the same time. I generally like the set-up and especially enjoyed the novels Jamie Fessenden created with a similar theme, but this one didn’t work for me.
2.5 stars!
It’s an interesting family drama about three boys who are killed in 1975. One of the suspects is a family father whose alibi clears him quickly, but the damage in the small town community is done after the police take him away for questioning. As the killer is never found, the lingering doubt about the man remains.
The story is told more than 40 years later with lots of flashbacks to 1975 through the eyes of the family’s youngest son, Don. Don is a gay man living in San Francisco who returns to his hometown to care for his dying father. He’s in his mid-fifties and a hot gym rat. That’s literally all we get to learn about his adult self in the parts I’ve read.
His dad’s last wish is to finally be cleared of all accusations against him concerning the murders of 1975. And since Don doesn’t have anything to do but write some reports for a job he doesn’t really mention anywhere, he goes all PI and tries to find out who murdered them.
I am pretty unhappy with this story. It’s very plot-intense and is mainly a whodunit with a gay spin. Don tells us the story through his POV, but I never found myself get a grab on Don as a character. Even when he talked, there wasn’t any feedback on himself. It felt like reading a screenplay. All dialogue and no emotional explanations. In other words, it was incredibly dry and I didn’t care for Don at all. Actually, his 10 year old self in the flashbacks was much more relatable and approachable than his adult persona which I found particularly odd.
I was looking forward to the introduction of Bruce, a gay friend of a friend, who happened to be the random good looking hunky loner often found in romance novels who is miraculously single in his 50s and just waiting to be the love interest here.
I didn’t like the way they hit things off and I generally didn’t like the way their interactions were portrayed, which saddens me a bit, since I usually love a gay male author’s spin on things. After all, male authors are still a bit underrepresented in the m/m genre.
The plot was very interesting, although having read the ending, I really wasn’t surprised about the outcome. I hadn’t actually considered that turn of events because it seemed too obvious…
All in all, this story wasn’t the greatest reading experience for me. It was much more a mystery than it was a gay themed novel (like the cover suggests). It would probably have worked even better if it wasn’t trying to be a gay romance at the same time. I generally like the set-up and especially enjoyed the novels Jamie Fessenden created with a similar theme, but this one didn’t work for me.
2.5 stars!
February 8, 2018
I don’t think I am the intended audience for this book, since I’m not a big fan of murder mysteries without much romance. I do have to admit that the mystery kept me interested, just not enough to really love this book.
This story is told through bits from the present, where 52 year old Don is taking care of his dying father, and parts of 1975 when Don was a 10 year old boy. I’m so not a fan of small towns in the 70s and 80s, and this book really made that clear for me. Don encountered so much bigotry and narrow-minded people. It was just such a harsh world back then.
I liked how Don found out more and more about the murders that took place in 1975 and I was kept engaged throughout this entire book. But I had 2 issues with this book that made me enjoy it a little less.
One is the romance, or the lack of romance I must say. Don meets Bruce, they basically say ‘wanna fuck?’ within 2 seconds of meeting each other and then start ‘dating’ (no sexy times on page). I say ‘dating’ because they don’t spend that much time on page together. And when they do, they talk about the murders. Interesting, but not that romantic. It would have liked it more if there had been no romance at all, because this was just unsatisfying. (I know this book is not supposed to be a romance, but if you put something in your book resembling a romance, at least make it somewhat believable)
And then the whodunnit conclusion. I figured out who did it a while back, but was still interested to see how things would play out, and more importantly, why. And then we get to my issue with it. The why. I thought the reason for the killings was VERY farfetched and very unrealistic. I didn’t buy it at all. (Don’t read this spoiler if you want to read the book.)
A pretty decent murder mystery, but don’t read this because of the romance.
------------------------------
An ARC of Somewhere Over Lorain Road was generously provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
This story is told through bits from the present, where 52 year old Don is taking care of his dying father, and parts of 1975 when Don was a 10 year old boy. I’m so not a fan of small towns in the 70s and 80s, and this book really made that clear for me. Don encountered so much bigotry and narrow-minded people. It was just such a harsh world back then.
I liked how Don found out more and more about the murders that took place in 1975 and I was kept engaged throughout this entire book. But I had 2 issues with this book that made me enjoy it a little less.
One is the romance, or the lack of romance I must say. Don meets Bruce, they basically say ‘wanna fuck?’ within 2 seconds of meeting each other and then start ‘dating’ (no sexy times on page). I say ‘dating’ because they don’t spend that much time on page together. And when they do, they talk about the murders. Interesting, but not that romantic. It would have liked it more if there had been no romance at all, because this was just unsatisfying. (I know this book is not supposed to be a romance, but if you put something in your book resembling a romance, at least make it somewhat believable)
And then the whodunnit conclusion. I figured out who did it a while back, but was still interested to see how things would play out, and more importantly, why. And then we get to my issue with it. The why. I thought the reason for the killings was VERY farfetched and very unrealistic. I didn’t buy it at all. (Don’t read this spoiler if you want to read the book.)
A pretty decent murder mystery, but don’t read this because of the romance.
------------------------------
An ARC of Somewhere Over Lorain Road was generously provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
March 29, 2021
This book was totally not for me. There are many things in it that most readers do not bother at all, and which I hate. Besides, I was in the mood for something completely different, and I expected this book to be completely different.
I expected a romance with a bit of a mystery. And this book is something between literary fiction and a mystery. There is practically no romance. I mean, the main character meets a man during this story and they are together in the end, but I wouldn't call it a romance. Ultimately, Don does not meet his guy until 30 percent of the story.
There are also some things I just don't like about my books that are very personal preferences. One of them are flashbacks. Here we have two perspectives, we read alternately about events in modern times and about the 70's and 80's. This is something that usually makes it very hard for me to enjoy the book and unfortunately it happened this time as well. I also don't like when we follow the main character's entire life from his childhood to the present day. And that, unfortunately, also found its way into this story. This is definitely not a book for me.
If only this book had focused on solving the mystery of the murder of three boys. I like mysteries so chances are good that I would still enjoy this story. But unfortunately for me, this book turned out to be much more serious and deeper than what I needed at the moment. A large part of this story is a picture of the life of a family that has to deal with difficult situations in life - from a false accusation of murder to the death of one of the brothers as a result of an overdose. And then there is the bulling of Don in his childhood and the fatal illness of his father in the present day. These are many difficult and serious topics, I need to be in a special mood to read about them. Now I wasn't in that mood.
I think that the cover of this book and its blurb are doing this book a disservice. They suggest that it is a different type of story and do not attract the right kind of readers. I am an example of this. I have a problem with rating this book, on the one hand I realize that I was not the right reader and that it was definitely not the time for me to read this story, but on the other hand I just did not enjoy the story. Maybe I'll change my rating later on.
I expected a romance with a bit of a mystery. And this book is something between literary fiction and a mystery. There is practically no romance. I mean, the main character meets a man during this story and they are together in the end, but I wouldn't call it a romance. Ultimately, Don does not meet his guy until 30 percent of the story.
There are also some things I just don't like about my books that are very personal preferences. One of them are flashbacks. Here we have two perspectives, we read alternately about events in modern times and about the 70's and 80's. This is something that usually makes it very hard for me to enjoy the book and unfortunately it happened this time as well. I also don't like when we follow the main character's entire life from his childhood to the present day. And that, unfortunately, also found its way into this story. This is definitely not a book for me.
If only this book had focused on solving the mystery of the murder of three boys. I like mysteries so chances are good that I would still enjoy this story. But unfortunately for me, this book turned out to be much more serious and deeper than what I needed at the moment. A large part of this story is a picture of the life of a family that has to deal with difficult situations in life - from a false accusation of murder to the death of one of the brothers as a result of an overdose. And then there is the bulling of Don in his childhood and the fatal illness of his father in the present day. These are many difficult and serious topics, I need to be in a special mood to read about them. Now I wasn't in that mood.
I think that the cover of this book and its blurb are doing this book a disservice. They suggest that it is a different type of story and do not attract the right kind of readers. I am an example of this. I have a problem with rating this book, on the one hand I realize that I was not the right reader and that it was definitely not the time for me to read this story, but on the other hand I just did not enjoy the story. Maybe I'll change my rating later on.
February 6, 2018
ARC for Netgalley, Enjoyable story - Don looks back looking at growing up in the late 70’s 80’s in smallish town of Ohio, while coming home and attempting to clear his fathers as well as his family’s name. Early in Don’s childhood his dad was questioned for a crime he did not commit, although only questioned the stigma stuck around with him and his family. Don is home and attempting to uncover what really happened so long ago, told through flashbacks this is a story about growling up labeled, being different, coming of age, all during a different time a much less accepting time. There are quite a few rough parts that the MC goes through in his life, the book is much more a mystery than romance. Interesting & enjoyable.
April 21, 2018
Please don't let the cover confuse you into thinking this is purely an M/M romance. It's not. While there is a love story inside, this book is at its core a mystery with gay characters. It's a book about secrets, and unsolved murders, and old wounds, and family pain. It's about coming home to help your aging mother take care of your father in his last days, it's about giving an old man his dying wish. It's about terrible, horrible secrets kept for 40 years, and confronting the ghosts of your past.
Don Esker has come home to North Homestead, Ohio, where his father lies dying, and his mother and older brothers need help with the palliative care. Don has done well for himself in San Francisco, working in marketing, and is in a position where he can work from anywhere. Coming home isn't easy, as the family name is still talked about in hushed voices in connection to an unsolved crime that happened 40 years ago in 1975, when a little boy, the neighbor's and Sheriff's son, mysteriously disappeared, and two other little boys were found brutally murdered. Don's father was a suspect in the disappearance of the first boy, if only for one evening, and while he was never charged with anything, his good name has never been fully cleared. The suspicion alone shattered Don's family, and when he came out as gay, staying in town became impossible for him. Small towns and small-minded people will not forgive and not forget, and the townsfolk certainly wouldn't accept a gay man.
In a lucid moment, Don's father asks for just one thing before he dies - to have his name cleared once and for all. Don, obliging son, begins a journey that not only brings him to Bruce, the love interest, but also face to face with his childhood friend, the brother of the missing boy, who still lives with his father, the ex-Sheriff across the street from the Esker home. It forces him to confront things of his past. Thick as thieves when they were young, Don and his friend haven't spoken in many years, longer than Don has been gone from North Homestead. There is history there. And hurt, anger, and hate.
As the story unfolds, we are given pieces of the past, set in the 70s and 80s. There's an incident with an old fridge. There's the moment in which Mr. Esker is hauled from his home to answer questions about the disappearance of the neighbor's son. There's the moment in which Don's brother... no, I won't spoil this for you. Just do yourself a favor and read this book.
There is a moment when I knew, just KNEW, who the culprit was, thought I knew who had committed these crimes.
And there is a moment when the truth comes out, and I was proven wrong. Except, not entirely.
The romance between Don and Bruce doesn't really begin until the 2nd half of this book, and it's never in the forefront of the tale. There are no explicit scenes, and there didn't need to be any. It unfolds quietly, organically, and peacefully, just as it should have. These are grown, mature men, and there are no games to be played. No contrived misunderstandings. A love story. Simple. Quiet.
Obviously, Don is not a skilled investigator, and it's often just sheer luck that he is able to find a piece he needs to solve the decades-old crime. He fumbles more often than not, which is to be expected, but he does persevere.
The mystery is eventually solved. The truth comes out, as it always will, no matter how much time passes. I wasn't prepared for this truth. I wasn't expecting this truth. Though, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to go that route, and I must applaud the author for taking this road. It humanized the perpetrator, and though it doesn't offer forgiveness, it offers a believable motive. It does also shine a bright light on deep dysfunction within a family, on emotional and psychological and physical abuse. Facades crumble under such light. Cracks appear. Truth will out.
This book, with its tight narration and unexpected turn of events, kept me glued to its pages until the very last one. It's riveting - a page turner, and masterfully written.
Give this a try, I beg you. This isn't a romance. It's a mystery with a gay MC. It's a story about family. But it is also a love story. Absolutely worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Don Esker has come home to North Homestead, Ohio, where his father lies dying, and his mother and older brothers need help with the palliative care. Don has done well for himself in San Francisco, working in marketing, and is in a position where he can work from anywhere. Coming home isn't easy, as the family name is still talked about in hushed voices in connection to an unsolved crime that happened 40 years ago in 1975, when a little boy, the neighbor's and Sheriff's son, mysteriously disappeared, and two other little boys were found brutally murdered. Don's father was a suspect in the disappearance of the first boy, if only for one evening, and while he was never charged with anything, his good name has never been fully cleared. The suspicion alone shattered Don's family, and when he came out as gay, staying in town became impossible for him. Small towns and small-minded people will not forgive and not forget, and the townsfolk certainly wouldn't accept a gay man.
In a lucid moment, Don's father asks for just one thing before he dies - to have his name cleared once and for all. Don, obliging son, begins a journey that not only brings him to Bruce, the love interest, but also face to face with his childhood friend, the brother of the missing boy, who still lives with his father, the ex-Sheriff across the street from the Esker home. It forces him to confront things of his past. Thick as thieves when they were young, Don and his friend haven't spoken in many years, longer than Don has been gone from North Homestead. There is history there. And hurt, anger, and hate.
As the story unfolds, we are given pieces of the past, set in the 70s and 80s. There's an incident with an old fridge. There's the moment in which Mr. Esker is hauled from his home to answer questions about the disappearance of the neighbor's son. There's the moment in which Don's brother... no, I won't spoil this for you. Just do yourself a favor and read this book.
There is a moment when I knew, just KNEW, who the culprit was, thought I knew who had committed these crimes.
And there is a moment when the truth comes out, and I was proven wrong. Except, not entirely.
The romance between Don and Bruce doesn't really begin until the 2nd half of this book, and it's never in the forefront of the tale. There are no explicit scenes, and there didn't need to be any. It unfolds quietly, organically, and peacefully, just as it should have. These are grown, mature men, and there are no games to be played. No contrived misunderstandings. A love story. Simple. Quiet.
Obviously, Don is not a skilled investigator, and it's often just sheer luck that he is able to find a piece he needs to solve the decades-old crime. He fumbles more often than not, which is to be expected, but he does persevere.
The mystery is eventually solved. The truth comes out, as it always will, no matter how much time passes. I wasn't prepared for this truth. I wasn't expecting this truth. Though, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to go that route, and I must applaud the author for taking this road. It humanized the perpetrator, and though it doesn't offer forgiveness, it offers a believable motive. It does also shine a bright light on deep dysfunction within a family, on emotional and psychological and physical abuse. Facades crumble under such light. Cracks appear. Truth will out.
This book, with its tight narration and unexpected turn of events, kept me glued to its pages until the very last one. It's riveting - a page turner, and masterfully written.
Give this a try, I beg you. This isn't a romance. It's a mystery with a gay MC. It's a story about family. But it is also a love story. Absolutely worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not promised in return. **
February 13, 2018
~ 4.5 Stars ~
Bud Gundy’s Somewhere Over Lorain Road is riveting. There’s just no other word for it. I was absolutely enthralled with the story from the opening paragraph until the final moments, and went through a small rollercoaster of emotions in between. Gundy keeps the reader guessing up until the very end as to what really happened that long-ago summer in North Homestead, Ohio, but it wasn’t only the mystery that had me on edge throughout the book. Somewhere Over Lorain Road is as much a portrait and study of human behavior and small-town dynamics as it is a murder mystery. And, it’s almost more a survival story than anything else. It’s about the Eskers surviving the onslaught of ill will and ridicule and small-mindedness they endured back in 1975, and coming out the other side.
Don Esker is a successful and sought-after marketing analyst. Graduating at the top of his class in high school and earning a full ride to Harvard, along with a career full of brilliant business moves, have afforded him the flexibility to be able to return to his childhood home and help his mother take care of his father, who is dying of cancer. Robert Esker has one main desire before he leaves this earth, which is to once and for all clear his name and rid his family of another cancer, the cloud of suspicion that the family felt so keenly for so long after he was was wrongfully accused and dragged in for questioning. So, Don agrees to see what he can still uncover on the forty-year-old cold case, in the hopes of bringing his dad the peace he deserves.
One member of the Esker family unfortunately didn’t survive, and Don, Randy, and Tim, the brothers of Rich Esker, think the killer of those little boys forty years ago was as much responsible for Rich’s death as he was for the other three victims. The story of what happened to Rich, and how it affected the family, was beyond heart wrenching. Don, as the youngest, and perhaps the closest to Rich, took it the hardest; it was something he never quite got over.
The story switches back and forth, chapter by chapter, between 1975 and the disappearance of Eddie Tedesco and the murders of two other little boys, and present day and Don’s investigation of the crimes. This format kept the suspense at peak levels, placing the reader both front and center to the events as they happened, and riding right along with Don as he discovers the lies and coverups and clues that bring him ever closer to uncovering the truth. Don gets answers and help in some of the unlikeliest of places, and gets some shocks along the way as well. One of his allies is Bruce, who he meets through his dad’s caregiver.
Bruce is handsome, and confident, and so, so kind. And, he turns out to be a great sidekick, too! He and Don really are an excellent team, in every way. But, I think it’s important to mention that the romance is definitely not the focus of the story. It’s there…Don and Bruce grow to care about each other, and Bruce is a bigger part of the story toward the end. But I do think that the cover, while gorgeous, is perhaps a bit misleading as to the extent that the romance is a part of the story. I didn’t feel anything was lacking in the book; I didn’t personally need the romance to be in the forefront. But, I thought readers who might be looking for more of a love story based on the cover, might like to have some clarification there.
I loved this book so much. It was moving, gripping, and unforgettable. This was my first read from Bud Gundy—from this publisher too, in fact!—but I will, without a doubt, be keeping my eyes open for more of his work. Definitely check this one out, guys!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
Bud Gundy’s Somewhere Over Lorain Road is riveting. There’s just no other word for it. I was absolutely enthralled with the story from the opening paragraph until the final moments, and went through a small rollercoaster of emotions in between. Gundy keeps the reader guessing up until the very end as to what really happened that long-ago summer in North Homestead, Ohio, but it wasn’t only the mystery that had me on edge throughout the book. Somewhere Over Lorain Road is as much a portrait and study of human behavior and small-town dynamics as it is a murder mystery. And, it’s almost more a survival story than anything else. It’s about the Eskers surviving the onslaught of ill will and ridicule and small-mindedness they endured back in 1975, and coming out the other side.
Don Esker is a successful and sought-after marketing analyst. Graduating at the top of his class in high school and earning a full ride to Harvard, along with a career full of brilliant business moves, have afforded him the flexibility to be able to return to his childhood home and help his mother take care of his father, who is dying of cancer. Robert Esker has one main desire before he leaves this earth, which is to once and for all clear his name and rid his family of another cancer, the cloud of suspicion that the family felt so keenly for so long after he was was wrongfully accused and dragged in for questioning. So, Don agrees to see what he can still uncover on the forty-year-old cold case, in the hopes of bringing his dad the peace he deserves.
One member of the Esker family unfortunately didn’t survive, and Don, Randy, and Tim, the brothers of Rich Esker, think the killer of those little boys forty years ago was as much responsible for Rich’s death as he was for the other three victims. The story of what happened to Rich, and how it affected the family, was beyond heart wrenching. Don, as the youngest, and perhaps the closest to Rich, took it the hardest; it was something he never quite got over.
The story switches back and forth, chapter by chapter, between 1975 and the disappearance of Eddie Tedesco and the murders of two other little boys, and present day and Don’s investigation of the crimes. This format kept the suspense at peak levels, placing the reader both front and center to the events as they happened, and riding right along with Don as he discovers the lies and coverups and clues that bring him ever closer to uncovering the truth. Don gets answers and help in some of the unlikeliest of places, and gets some shocks along the way as well. One of his allies is Bruce, who he meets through his dad’s caregiver.
Bruce is handsome, and confident, and so, so kind. And, he turns out to be a great sidekick, too! He and Don really are an excellent team, in every way. But, I think it’s important to mention that the romance is definitely not the focus of the story. It’s there…Don and Bruce grow to care about each other, and Bruce is a bigger part of the story toward the end. But I do think that the cover, while gorgeous, is perhaps a bit misleading as to the extent that the romance is a part of the story. I didn’t feel anything was lacking in the book; I didn’t personally need the romance to be in the forefront. But, I thought readers who might be looking for more of a love story based on the cover, might like to have some clarification there.
I loved this book so much. It was moving, gripping, and unforgettable. This was my first read from Bud Gundy—from this publisher too, in fact!—but I will, without a doubt, be keeping my eyes open for more of his work. Definitely check this one out, guys!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
February 4, 2018
4.5 stars
Right now my brain’s mush so this is likely to be a slightly nonsensical review. There are so many things to like about this story. It has a huge whodunit vibe, and although I figured out who it was rather early on (in fact, I was so sure who it was, I was sure I was wrong - did that make sense?) anyway, the fact I guessed who it was didn't detract from my enjoyment. Plenty of red herrings kept me off kilter so the element of suspense remained throughout.
The timeline shifts back and forth between present day and 1975-1982ish. Given those years hold some of my fondest memories, it was nice to take a trip down memory lane.
For the most part, I hoovered on a 4-star rating, then right near the end, Gundy ripped my fuckin’ heart out. This book made me tear up, and it takes a lot for a story to reduce me to tears.
The New Year’s Eve scene was so damn heart breaking, and so damn beautiful, it about wrecked me.
In short, this is a mystery. There is a hint of romance, but ultimately, this story showcases the devastating aftermath an entire family, Don and his three brothers, suffered through after their father was falsely accused of a heinous crime.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley
Right now my brain’s mush so this is likely to be a slightly nonsensical review. There are so many things to like about this story. It has a huge whodunit vibe, and although I figured out who it was rather early on (in fact, I was so sure who it was, I was sure I was wrong - did that make sense?) anyway, the fact I guessed who it was didn't detract from my enjoyment. Plenty of red herrings kept me off kilter so the element of suspense remained throughout.
The timeline shifts back and forth between present day and 1975-1982ish. Given those years hold some of my fondest memories, it was nice to take a trip down memory lane.
For the most part, I hoovered on a 4-star rating, then right near the end, Gundy ripped my fuckin’ heart out. This book made me tear up, and it takes a lot for a story to reduce me to tears.
The New Year’s Eve scene was so damn heart breaking, and so damn beautiful, it about wrecked me.
In short, this is a mystery. There is a hint of romance, but ultimately, this story showcases the devastating aftermath an entire family, Don and his three brothers, suffered through after their father was falsely accused of a heinous crime.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley
February 1, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Bud Gundy is a new author to me and this book happened upon my radar. It’s a mystery at the heart as Don reaches back to solve a 40-year-old case. The crimes hit his small town hard and his family was shattered in a number of ways when his father was taken in as a suspect. While his father was cleared quickly, long lasting damage was done as the town turned on them all. Adding in that Don was gay, his life became unbearable.
The book cleverly alternates between present day and the mid-70s and 80s as Don’s life before and after the tragedies unfolds. Gundy weaves a tight narrative of Don’s life as the youngest of four boys and we learn of the crimes in a matter of fact way, as there is no on page violence, and we learn where it took Don and his brothers after their father was wrongly accused.
There is a cast of characters as expected for a mystery and they all play a part in the story of Don’s life. Don also meets Bruce when he returns home and the author sets up an outline of a romance. The relationship between Don and Bruce is not the focus of the story and the majority of their romantic interactions are off page. We see them together as Bruce tries to help Don find the killer. The attempt at a romance didn’t completely fit into the rest of the book so well for me. As it was presented, it would have worked better for me if a romantic relationship wasn’t seemingly forced upon them. If there was to be a romance, I then would have preferred to see it evolve more than it did.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Bud Gundy is a new author to me and this book happened upon my radar. It’s a mystery at the heart as Don reaches back to solve a 40-year-old case. The crimes hit his small town hard and his family was shattered in a number of ways when his father was taken in as a suspect. While his father was cleared quickly, long lasting damage was done as the town turned on them all. Adding in that Don was gay, his life became unbearable.
The book cleverly alternates between present day and the mid-70s and 80s as Don’s life before and after the tragedies unfolds. Gundy weaves a tight narrative of Don’s life as the youngest of four boys and we learn of the crimes in a matter of fact way, as there is no on page violence, and we learn where it took Don and his brothers after their father was wrongly accused.
There is a cast of characters as expected for a mystery and they all play a part in the story of Don’s life. Don also meets Bruce when he returns home and the author sets up an outline of a romance. The relationship between Don and Bruce is not the focus of the story and the majority of their romantic interactions are off page. We see them together as Bruce tries to help Don find the killer. The attempt at a romance didn’t completely fit into the rest of the book so well for me. As it was presented, it would have worked better for me if a romantic relationship wasn’t seemingly forced upon them. If there was to be a romance, I then would have preferred to see it evolve more than it did.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
February 6, 2018
ARC for Netgalley, Enjoyable story - Don looks back looking at growing up in the late 70’s 80’s in smallish town of Ohio, while coming home and attempting to clear his fathers as well as his family’s name. Early in Don’s childhood his dad was questioned for a crime he did not commit, although only questioned the stigma stuck around with him and his family. Don is home and attempting to uncover what really happened so long ago, told through flashbacks this is a story about growling up labeled, being different, coming of age, all during a different time a much less accepting time. There are quite a few rough parts that the MC goes through in his life, the book is much more a mystery than romance. Interesting & enjoyable.
September 26, 2024
4.5 stars from me. A very well thought out and constructed murder mystery spanning 40 years, shocking in its simplicity really. It's a serious tale with very little light relief, and it is definitely not a romance. After I’d reached a certain stage in the story, I came to the conclusion that my original take on this story was correct….I just couldn’t understand the why of it though, and the Author then lead us on a trail of deception and deceit, blackmail and secrets. It’s not the sort of story where you have light bulb moments, things build gradually, you accept what’s in front of your eyes and if you’re anything like me, you thank heaven that the police are no longer able to conduct investigations as this one was **coughs** conducted. A scapegoat was needed…the fact that the injustice ruined lives and destroyed families was of no consequence to anyone in North Homestead, except the families themselves.
There were plenty of red…or should I say dead herrings tossed into the mix to try and throw readers off the scent; there were some strong characters too, some very intense feelings…predictably anger or fury even in particular, and at the end of the day, you couldn’t help but admire Don and his family for their strength, courage and fortitude. They’d been to hell and back and survived.
Thanks to Lena for her review. Hopefully this story will feature quite prominently in the Goodreads Awards of 2018, it certainly deserves to.
January 12, 2018
Not only was this a good mystery/family drama, it was not a typical LGBT romance novel. In fact, I would barely classify it as a romance. Instead, it felt a lot more like a whodunnit that focused on how relationships and attachments change and form. The protagonist is gay and falls for a guy during the book, but it always takes a back burner to the plot about how a family deals with adversity and struggles to solve a decades old crime that smeared their standing in the community. The brothers feel real in their actions of fighting, picking on each other, hiding things, and exploring different paths in life to cope with tragedy. The murder mystery is fairly standard, but is explored through many viewpoints, and the reader sees how the deaths of three boys impact a small community over the course of 40 years. The protagonist Don is a bit too smart to be credible in some areas though. He is smart enough to be able to skip several grades, but also nearly single handedly solves a 40 year old mystery, is valedictorian, gets a full ride to Harvard, avoids much of the fallout of the AIDS crisis in the 80s, and jumps in early with Yahoo, Google, Facebook and Twitter. I understand the character is smart, but this seems omniscient. Overall though, this was a great read.
February 15, 2018
When I had requested this book, I thought it was going to be romance first, mystery/suspense second - well, I had that wrong! This is definitely a suspenseful mystery first, and the romance is very much second. Nothing graphic explained, pretty much everything physical between Don and Bruce happens off-page.
However, having said that, if you are a fan of mysteries don’t let the lack of heavy romance stop you from getting this story! If you are a fan of books from someone like Harlan Coben but have always wanted a gay leading man, this might be perfect for you!
I really enjoyed the set up for this. It flips back and forth between present day and the events that happened when Don was a kid in the 1970’s when three boys were murdered and the killer was never found. Don’s dad was a suspect, and the town never forgot that. Now, Don is determined the fully clear his dad’s name before he passes away from cancer.
I was definitely interested the entire time, and I didn’t guess who the killer was - I always judge a mystery book by how easily I can or cannot guess who the killer is. And this I definitely didn’t guess! The mystery writing was definitely stronger than the romance aspect for me, I feel like I still know nothing about Bruce, really.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
However, having said that, if you are a fan of mysteries don’t let the lack of heavy romance stop you from getting this story! If you are a fan of books from someone like Harlan Coben but have always wanted a gay leading man, this might be perfect for you!
I really enjoyed the set up for this. It flips back and forth between present day and the events that happened when Don was a kid in the 1970’s when three boys were murdered and the killer was never found. Don’s dad was a suspect, and the town never forgot that. Now, Don is determined the fully clear his dad’s name before he passes away from cancer.
I was definitely interested the entire time, and I didn’t guess who the killer was - I always judge a mystery book by how easily I can or cannot guess who the killer is. And this I definitely didn’t guess! The mystery writing was definitely stronger than the romance aspect for me, I feel like I still know nothing about Bruce, really.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
March 5, 2019
This was soooooo good!!! I'm not one for gushing all over books like this, and I am very selective with my higher rating but I just can't help myself!
Just read it and you'll understand.
Don comes home to help take care of his dying father. He is successful, handsome and has a chip on his shoulder the size of a small mountain. His father's dying wish is to have his name properly cleared of the murders of three little boys 40 years earlier.
Yes this is a bit of mystery/suspense but that was not the main focus.
This is so much more.
It is about surviving scandal and being a social out cast. It's about family coming together, about how they have different ways to coop with the disruption. It's about grief and learning to forgive yourself. It's about growing up gay in a narrow minded community. It's about finding peace.
I must say I think Mr. Gundy did an out standing job bringing this to life.
And then there's a little bit of sweet romance.
If you get the chance - READ IT!
Just read it and you'll understand.
Don comes home to help take care of his dying father. He is successful, handsome and has a chip on his shoulder the size of a small mountain. His father's dying wish is to have his name properly cleared of the murders of three little boys 40 years earlier.
Yes this is a bit of mystery/suspense but that was not the main focus.
This is so much more.
It is about surviving scandal and being a social out cast. It's about family coming together, about how they have different ways to coop with the disruption. It's about grief and learning to forgive yourself. It's about growing up gay in a narrow minded community. It's about finding peace.
I must say I think Mr. Gundy did an out standing job bringing this to life.
And then there's a little bit of sweet romance.
If you get the chance - READ IT!
February 27, 2018
OK, so I finished and I'm right down the middle, 3 stars on this one. It was a good story from a "whodunnit" perspective—I was driven to finish it and find out who done it. But something about the writing missed the mark for me. It went abruptly from trite to deep and back again in a way that was jarring. The cover is selling it as a love story but I found that aspect underdeveloped and ever-so-slightly prudish (I'm not a fade-to-black girl, that's probably why).
It was good, I wouldn't consider it time wasted. And it was almost great, but not quite. One of those reads where everyone will have to decide for themselves.
It was good, I wouldn't consider it time wasted. And it was almost great, but not quite. One of those reads where everyone will have to decide for themselves.
February 3, 2018
4.5 stars. This book was...Wow. Well written...absolutely riveting...I couldn't put it down. Don is a fantastic character. <3 So, so good. Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com
April 15, 2019
This was an excellent book that I would recommend to anybody regardless of their preferred genre. A tale of family & loss mixed with an intriguing 40-year old mystery. Don’t let the cover prejudice your decisions read this book as it is not representative of the story.
I look forward to reading the author’s other novels.
I look forward to reading the author’s other novels.
April 20, 2019
Excellent, very well written mystery. Some of this tore at my heart.
February 15, 2023
A great book, well written with a mystery that kept me engaged to the end.
The romance was definitely secondary to the serial killer plot.
Nearly 40 years after his father was falsely arrested for murder, on comes back to his home town to try and clear his father's name before he dies.
Recommended.
The romance was definitely secondary to the serial killer plot.
Nearly 40 years after his father was falsely arrested for murder, on comes back to his home town to try and clear his father's name before he dies.
Recommended.
February 2, 2018
February 1, 2018
Somewhere Over Lorain Road is a story that sticks with you. It captured my attention within the first few pages---and then would not let go! Throughout the day, I found myself thinking about the characters and could not wait until I was able to read more. As the story progresses, the reader learns more and more about Don Esker-about his experiences growing up gay in 1970s America, about his relationship with his family, and about his quest for a happy life—all while he prepares for the death of his father and a mystery tries to unravel the mystery that has rocked his entire family. A well crafted story, I strongly recommend Somewhere Over Lorain Road by Bud Gundy
Robert Sardy, Ph.D.
Somewhere Over Lorain Road is a story that sticks with you. It captured my attention within the first few pages---and then would not let go! Throughout the day, I found myself thinking about the characters and could not wait until I was able to read more. As the story progresses, the reader learns more and more about Don Esker-about his experiences growing up gay in 1970s America, about his relationship with his family, and about his quest for a happy life—all while he prepares for the death of his father and a mystery tries to unravel the mystery that has rocked his entire family. A well crafted story, I strongly recommend Somewhere Over Lorain Road by Bud Gundy
Robert Sardy, Ph.D.
March 20, 2018
Goodreads tags would suggest this is a MM romance story, it's not. There is a MM romantic relationship but it's definitely a secondary element to the story. Somewhere Over Lorain Road is about family and a 40 year old mystery that has been plaguing that family.
It's an enjoyable story with a few problems. You do have to suspend belief a bit with the 'investigation' as Don (the MC) isn't a professional and some of his actions I felt were unlikely to happen. The author did however write the character aware of his shortcomings which helped. I also found the 'why' to the mystery a little bit messy in it's details.
However I enjoyed the mystery of the book and the slow reveal of what happened all those years ago. It was thoughtfully told, with various and realistic suspects for the reader to grab on to. The romance was nice, but as I said previously not a major part of the story. What was lovely to read was the family dynamics and how the events affected them.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher / author for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
It's an enjoyable story with a few problems. You do have to suspend belief a bit with the 'investigation' as Don (the MC) isn't a professional and some of his actions I felt were unlikely to happen. The author did however write the character aware of his shortcomings which helped. I also found the 'why' to the mystery a little bit messy in it's details.
However I enjoyed the mystery of the book and the slow reveal of what happened all those years ago. It was thoughtfully told, with various and realistic suspects for the reader to grab on to. The romance was nice, but as I said previously not a major part of the story. What was lovely to read was the family dynamics and how the events affected them.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher / author for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
February 13, 2018
I have read some brilliant review books lately, but Somewhere Over Lorain Road has forced itself into the top spot and has scrambled my brain sufficiently to leave me at a loss for words. Where do I possibly start? The characters? The murders? The romance? Present day? 1975? There is so damn much that I want to talk about, to tell someone about. This story made me feel sick with apprehension, it made me cry, it made angry, but interwoven with all of that angst, was the undisputable love of family. The Esker family, of North Homestead, Ohio, who became the indirect victims of a serial killer, and survived to tell their tale.
Our main character here is Don Esker – 53ish (my memory sucks) – and the youngest of the four Esker siblings. We begin the book with Don having returned home to North Homestead, the town he grew up in, to help care for his dying father. But although the book begins here, the story actually starts forty years ago, in 1975, with the disappearance of six-year-old Eddie Tedesco.
This story is basically told in two parts, alternating chapters switching back and forth between 1975 and the present, after Don’s dying father, who was briefly a suspect in the murder of Eddie and the two little boys who followed, voiced his wish that the real killer be found so he could die an innocent man. Don doesn’t hold out too much hope of solving a forty year old cold case, but figures it won’t hurt to have a nose around the old investigation. After all, DNA profiling has advanced so far. But Don is quickly confused and concerned by the apparent lack of any decent police work and soon finds himself amateur sleuthing his way through his own investigation. As Don follows vague clues and tracks downs suspects and witnesses in the present day, the chapters set back in 1975 walk us through the murders and the fallout suffered by the Esker family after suspicion falls on their father for all of twenty four hours. Twenty four hours which drastically alter the lives of all four brothers and their parents.
While the chapters written in the present kept me riveted to the unfolding mystery, the chapters in the past damn near broke my heart. The fact that the murder victims were little children was always going to be hard hitting, but the author has a way of sharing the heart breaking visual that rips your chest open without being overly descriptive. I swear, the image of a chubby kiddy hand, or bare little feet and limbs left lying in the dirt will be etched in my mind for some time. Then there’s the death of Rich Esker. You know about this pretty much from the start, so it’s really not a spoiler. Given some early drops of information, you know what year and month he’s going to die. Again, the dread I felt as each chapter took us closer and closer to that month was ridiculous. The author really knows how to draw a reader in and then emotionally knock the crap out of you!
Murder mystery wise – you aren’t going to guess it. It’s not one of those stories where the clues are obvious and you want to shake the main characters for not figuring it out. There are plenty of suspects offered up for your consideration, some you want to be guilty, and others that you pray aren’t. And in the end it all comes together in such a crazy, over the top, deliciously complicated way that actually, somehow, makes sense. It’s fair to say that Mr. Gundy knows how to deliver a spectacular climax. (Ha! I just read that sentence back, and I swear it wasn’t meant to sound dirty.)
Despite the gorgeous cover, don’t pick up this book looking for a romance. For me, this was a story about family, although others may see it first and foremost as a mystery to solve. I saw Don’s relationship with Bruce as a way to add some lighter moments to what was often a heavy story. That’s not to say that there wasn’t any romance between the two men, but those flashes were rarely the focus. Having said that, I loved these two men together. Bruce won my heart the moment he met Don and asked him if he “needed a break” and did he want to “blow his load?”
This story probably won’t appeal to every reader. I think it’s the sort of book that you need to be in the mood for, but it’s exactly what I’ve been craving lately. Something with a bit more depth than a standard romance. The writing is impeccable and the plot enthralling – it’s safe to say that this author has some mad authoring skills.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2018/02/1...
Our main character here is Don Esker – 53ish (my memory sucks) – and the youngest of the four Esker siblings. We begin the book with Don having returned home to North Homestead, the town he grew up in, to help care for his dying father. But although the book begins here, the story actually starts forty years ago, in 1975, with the disappearance of six-year-old Eddie Tedesco.
This story is basically told in two parts, alternating chapters switching back and forth between 1975 and the present, after Don’s dying father, who was briefly a suspect in the murder of Eddie and the two little boys who followed, voiced his wish that the real killer be found so he could die an innocent man. Don doesn’t hold out too much hope of solving a forty year old cold case, but figures it won’t hurt to have a nose around the old investigation. After all, DNA profiling has advanced so far. But Don is quickly confused and concerned by the apparent lack of any decent police work and soon finds himself amateur sleuthing his way through his own investigation. As Don follows vague clues and tracks downs suspects and witnesses in the present day, the chapters set back in 1975 walk us through the murders and the fallout suffered by the Esker family after suspicion falls on their father for all of twenty four hours. Twenty four hours which drastically alter the lives of all four brothers and their parents.
While the chapters written in the present kept me riveted to the unfolding mystery, the chapters in the past damn near broke my heart. The fact that the murder victims were little children was always going to be hard hitting, but the author has a way of sharing the heart breaking visual that rips your chest open without being overly descriptive. I swear, the image of a chubby kiddy hand, or bare little feet and limbs left lying in the dirt will be etched in my mind for some time. Then there’s the death of Rich Esker. You know about this pretty much from the start, so it’s really not a spoiler. Given some early drops of information, you know what year and month he’s going to die. Again, the dread I felt as each chapter took us closer and closer to that month was ridiculous. The author really knows how to draw a reader in and then emotionally knock the crap out of you!
Murder mystery wise – you aren’t going to guess it. It’s not one of those stories where the clues are obvious and you want to shake the main characters for not figuring it out. There are plenty of suspects offered up for your consideration, some you want to be guilty, and others that you pray aren’t. And in the end it all comes together in such a crazy, over the top, deliciously complicated way that actually, somehow, makes sense. It’s fair to say that Mr. Gundy knows how to deliver a spectacular climax. (Ha! I just read that sentence back, and I swear it wasn’t meant to sound dirty.)
Despite the gorgeous cover, don’t pick up this book looking for a romance. For me, this was a story about family, although others may see it first and foremost as a mystery to solve. I saw Don’s relationship with Bruce as a way to add some lighter moments to what was often a heavy story. That’s not to say that there wasn’t any romance between the two men, but those flashes were rarely the focus. Having said that, I loved these two men together. Bruce won my heart the moment he met Don and asked him if he “needed a break” and did he want to “blow his load?”
This story probably won’t appeal to every reader. I think it’s the sort of book that you need to be in the mood for, but it’s exactly what I’ve been craving lately. Something with a bit more depth than a standard romance. The writing is impeccable and the plot enthralling – it’s safe to say that this author has some mad authoring skills.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2018/02/1...
February 13, 2018
I have to say I was completely surprised by this book. I expected a mystery and I got that. I also expected some romance and I got that too. What I didn't expect was to be so caught up in this story that I couldn't put it down. This is not an edge of your seat, action packed crime mystery. In fact, it pulls a reader in little by little with the narrator's perspective of crimes that took place four decades ago and how the aftermath of those crimes affected our amateur sleuth and his family. I won't go into all the details so as not to give spoilers because there is quite the twist in the conclusion. What I will say is that this is a wonderfully written tale that flows seamlessly between past and present, drawing the reader into Don's world. It is a mystery, but it's so much more than that. The author has woven a thoroughly compelling story of family, friendship, love, regrets, loss, and forgiveness.
May 8, 2019
Don't let the cover of this book fool you. This is a great crime novel about how a series of murders of three young boys in 1976 destroyed a family. The main character, Don, a gay man living in San Fransisco, is coming home to help his family when his father is dying. His father was one of the suspects of these killings forty years ago, and still, after all these years, the stigma of suspicion is still palpable. Don wants to help his father remove the suspicion before he dies, and tries to figure out what happened all those years ago. But the story is about much more, about growing up gay, about the love of a family, about loosing people, about falling in love. This story has plenty of unexpected twists that make it a great read, both emotional and as a crime story. Highly recommended.
February 10, 2018
I wish 4.5 was a category on here!!!!! I very much enjoyed Gundy’s new book and was excited to read it because it deals with a cold case. I was met with a strong story about Don, a sensitive guy who was thrown into the role of an investigator to answer the questions that haunted his family for so long. There is m/m romance along the way, as well as family wounds which are dealt with in an honest and forgiving way. Don’s struggles to come out in a small Ohio town resonated with me. I look forward to reading more from Gundy.
February 26, 2018
A very good read about unsolved murders and family drama
March 11, 2019
A truly amazing book, with more than one uncharacteristic feature. First, the main character is a 53-years old man, mature and comfortable in his life. Not happy, but comfortable. And secondly, there are zero sex scenes. What you have here is a 40-years old mystery, a family changed forever by the suspicion, a man with a very limited time to solve it who, while doing it, finds someone who could become more than a means to scratch an itch.
Because when Don returns home to help to care for his dying father, he is, without knowing it, going back to heal.
The story alternate between chapters in the present, and chapters in the past. When we met Don, he's a grown-up man, a successful and highly skilled marketing analyst without money problems, working not because he needs the money, but because he needs the distraction. His father is dying of cancer, and there is only one thing he can do to help him: finding the culprit of the murder of three children 40 years ago, to finally lift the shadow that has loomed over his family since then, when his father was detained for one afternoon as a suspect of the killings.
We are slowly learning about Don's life in flashbacks chapters, while he does his best to find what was that really happened back then. We learn how the suspicion affected not only his life, and the life of his whole family but the life of others suspects' families, and the life of the victims' families.
And meanwhile, at the prompt of his father's nurse, he meets her friend, Bruce and finds he could be someone for whom he could feel something more than lust
The story is fascinating, the characters solid and really well constructed, the representation of life in a small town back in the 70s perfect. This is, first and foremost, a mystery. Yes, there is a romance here, but the main story is the mystery. It's a quiet story, a story about family, without bouts of action and unnecessary twists, a story that will engage you and surprise you at the end.
This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. A superb read.
Because when Don returns home to help to care for his dying father, he is, without knowing it, going back to heal.
The story alternate between chapters in the present, and chapters in the past. When we met Don, he's a grown-up man, a successful and highly skilled marketing analyst without money problems, working not because he needs the money, but because he needs the distraction. His father is dying of cancer, and there is only one thing he can do to help him: finding the culprit of the murder of three children 40 years ago, to finally lift the shadow that has loomed over his family since then, when his father was detained for one afternoon as a suspect of the killings.
We are slowly learning about Don's life in flashbacks chapters, while he does his best to find what was that really happened back then. We learn how the suspicion affected not only his life, and the life of his whole family but the life of others suspects' families, and the life of the victims' families.
And meanwhile, at the prompt of his father's nurse, he meets her friend, Bruce and finds he could be someone for whom he could feel something more than lust
The story is fascinating, the characters solid and really well constructed, the representation of life in a small town back in the 70s perfect. This is, first and foremost, a mystery. Yes, there is a romance here, but the main story is the mystery. It's a quiet story, a story about family, without bouts of action and unnecessary twists, a story that will engage you and surprise you at the end.
This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. A superb read.
March 27, 2019
This book was okay but it certainly wasn't worth $9.99. There were some good parts but there were also a few things that just didn't make a lot of sense to me. I also figured out who the villain was pretty early. There wasn't much romance in this book either so it just wasn't for me.
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