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Broken House
A new psychological novel from Tom Turner, author of the Charlie Crawford - Palm Beach series
Hedge fund honcho Cam Crawford just checked himself into a ritzy Connecticut rehab facility. Admitted the same day were a drunk, an addict, and a psychopath.
With little in common except deep psychic scars are Avril, a drugged-out actress, Rachel, a 18-year old self-destructive wild child, and haunted, pretty boy, Cam, just trying to piece together their tormented lives.
All they want is to learn how to cope, find peace of mind, make a few friends…but better be careful, because there are a few twisted people inside the ivy covered walls of Clairmount. And not everyone’s going to make it home.
Hedge fund honcho Cam Crawford just checked himself into a ritzy Connecticut rehab facility. Admitted the same day were a drunk, an addict, and a psychopath.
With little in common except deep psychic scars are Avril, a drugged-out actress, Rachel, a 18-year old self-destructive wild child, and haunted, pretty boy, Cam, just trying to piece together their tormented lives.
All they want is to learn how to cope, find peace of mind, make a few friends…but better be careful, because there are a few twisted people inside the ivy covered walls of Clairmount. And not everyone’s going to make it home.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2018
272 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Tom Turner
33 books93 followersA native New Englander, Tom Turner ran a bar in Vermont after college, then moved to New York and spent time as an award-winning copywriter at several Manhattan advertising agencies.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 12, 2023
Broken House - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Cameron 'Cam' Crawford checks into Clairmount (aka Broken House) House, where he meets and gradually befriends, fellow drink and drug addicts, Ted, Rachel and Avril who each has their own issues on the 'outside'.
Cam runs a hedge fund with elder brother Evan, and once there, needs to sneak out of the clinic to do a hard sell with a smile to a rich potential client.
Getting back into the clinic and up to his room unseen is a harder task than Cam expected, due to his hours-long, celebratory bender, that leaves him addled and unco-ordinated.
Yet gradually the booze eases its stranglehold and helping others at the House gives his mental well-being a much-needed boost.
Later, sadly, a tragic event leaves him, (and the others) devastated, but Cam's determined to get justice for Rachel, peace of mind and a new beginning for bipolar star of screen and now stage, Avril, a fair settlement for his own soon-to-be ex-wife and a family reunion and new purpose in life, for his (vertically challenged), pal Ted.
No longer such a 'broken' house, but a slowly-mended one, Broken House by the perspicacious Tom Turner, will draw you into a web of wonders, full of his great characters, heart-achingly poignant storylines and believable redemption, for those who determine to face and overcome their inner demons.
A wonderful stand-alone story, Broken House by Tom Turner, reveals Charlie Crawford's (star of the Palm Beach Thrillers series), family background and familial relationships in a realistic way, that tells you what you need to know to enjoy the book, without detracting from Cam, as the unassuming hero of his own epic tale.
Get your 5-star copy soon - and tell all your friends!
Cameron 'Cam' Crawford checks into Clairmount (aka Broken House) House, where he meets and gradually befriends, fellow drink and drug addicts, Ted, Rachel and Avril who each has their own issues on the 'outside'.
Cam runs a hedge fund with elder brother Evan, and once there, needs to sneak out of the clinic to do a hard sell with a smile to a rich potential client.
Getting back into the clinic and up to his room unseen is a harder task than Cam expected, due to his hours-long, celebratory bender, that leaves him addled and unco-ordinated.
Yet gradually the booze eases its stranglehold and helping others at the House gives his mental well-being a much-needed boost.
Later, sadly, a tragic event leaves him, (and the others) devastated, but Cam's determined to get justice for Rachel, peace of mind and a new beginning for bipolar star of screen and now stage, Avril, a fair settlement for his own soon-to-be ex-wife and a family reunion and new purpose in life, for his (vertically challenged), pal Ted.
No longer such a 'broken' house, but a slowly-mended one, Broken House by the perspicacious Tom Turner, will draw you into a web of wonders, full of his great characters, heart-achingly poignant storylines and believable redemption, for those who determine to face and overcome their inner demons.
A wonderful stand-alone story, Broken House by Tom Turner, reveals Charlie Crawford's (star of the Palm Beach Thrillers series), family background and familial relationships in a realistic way, that tells you what you need to know to enjoy the book, without detracting from Cam, as the unassuming hero of his own epic tale.
Get your 5-star copy soon - and tell all your friends!
January 18, 2018
DISAPPOINTED
*** I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
After reading The Soul Reaver, I thought this was fitting as my next read and was feeling a little pleased. However, once I started reading the book that feeling changed. This book was extremely hard to continue reading. I actually DNF it and only got to page 86. What I did read of Broken House was full of duplicated sentences and grammar issues. The book would jump around a lot and was hard to keep up with which character was doing what. You had to wait for a name to drop or a description and try to guess which character that was. This got really confusing and frustrating quickly.
I mean sure, since this was about a rehab facility there were characters like that in there, but it didn’t really go into depth about that. It should have represented that better. There were patients that were mentally unstable and that part was represented well, especially with this character named Arthur. I am pretty sure he is the psychopath mentioned in the blurb, but I felt like the story was dragging BIG TIME. Like the worst I have ever seen for a book. I wanted to do anything other than read it and that is just when I knew I couldn’t finish reading it any longer.
There were some moments where the characters were funny, but it wasn’t enough for me to continue reading the book. I can’t get past how the blurb mentions Cam’s brother Charlie, like he is going to be a huge part of the book when the only thing he had done so far in what I had read was call Cam. It was to check up on him.
I feel like the whole blurb was misleading and I really wish this book would have been better.
I am really disappointed right now. This was supposed to make me feel better after reading my last book, but now I feel worse. I am still sad about The Soul Reaver and irritated about this.
If I hadn’t laughed at what some of the characters said in the beginning, mainly Avril and Rachel’s conversations and some of Arthur’s. This would have been a one star review.
I am somewhat mind-blown how there are so many high reviews for the book. I am not sure how others got past the book going so slow and the odd character issues.
To each their own I suppose.
*** I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
After reading The Soul Reaver, I thought this was fitting as my next read and was feeling a little pleased. However, once I started reading the book that feeling changed. This book was extremely hard to continue reading. I actually DNF it and only got to page 86. What I did read of Broken House was full of duplicated sentences and grammar issues. The book would jump around a lot and was hard to keep up with which character was doing what. You had to wait for a name to drop or a description and try to guess which character that was. This got really confusing and frustrating quickly.
I mean sure, since this was about a rehab facility there were characters like that in there, but it didn’t really go into depth about that. It should have represented that better. There were patients that were mentally unstable and that part was represented well, especially with this character named Arthur. I am pretty sure he is the psychopath mentioned in the blurb, but I felt like the story was dragging BIG TIME. Like the worst I have ever seen for a book. I wanted to do anything other than read it and that is just when I knew I couldn’t finish reading it any longer.
There were some moments where the characters were funny, but it wasn’t enough for me to continue reading the book. I can’t get past how the blurb mentions Cam’s brother Charlie, like he is going to be a huge part of the book when the only thing he had done so far in what I had read was call Cam. It was to check up on him.
I feel like the whole blurb was misleading and I really wish this book would have been better.
I am really disappointed right now. This was supposed to make me feel better after reading my last book, but now I feel worse. I am still sad about The Soul Reaver and irritated about this.
If I hadn’t laughed at what some of the characters said in the beginning, mainly Avril and Rachel’s conversations and some of Arthur’s. This would have been a one star review.
I am somewhat mind-blown how there are so many high reviews for the book. I am not sure how others got past the book going so slow and the odd character issues.
To each their own I suppose.
February 3, 2019
A mixed bag...
Tom Turner's biography,at least insofar as it's set forth by his publisher in conjunction with his Charlie Crawford series, and in this stand-alone novel as well, suggests that Turner does his homework before he starts to write. However, the ease of execution and the consistency in plot, character development, and scene-setting that are the hallmark of the better crime fiction writers, and that are largely characteristic of his Palm Beach novels, are curiously missing in Broken House. And it is all the more curious because the sub-sub-genre of the fictionalized recovery autobiography, to which this novel arguably belongs, virtually demands that the writer own the experience of the main protagonist so closely that the reader often reaches the last chapter with a reluctance somewhat akin to the regret with which real-life residents of the better recovery programs greet their graduation from the same. Rather than attribute the relative indifference I felt as Broken House drew near the end to Turner having failed to immerse himself and, thus, his reader in that specific universe, I would argue that he has published as a final product something I'd have expected to find in his files of first drafts.
Tom Turner's biography,at least insofar as it's set forth by his publisher in conjunction with his Charlie Crawford series, and in this stand-alone novel as well, suggests that Turner does his homework before he starts to write. However, the ease of execution and the consistency in plot, character development, and scene-setting that are the hallmark of the better crime fiction writers, and that are largely characteristic of his Palm Beach novels, are curiously missing in Broken House. And it is all the more curious because the sub-sub-genre of the fictionalized recovery autobiography, to which this novel arguably belongs, virtually demands that the writer own the experience of the main protagonist so closely that the reader often reaches the last chapter with a reluctance somewhat akin to the regret with which real-life residents of the better recovery programs greet their graduation from the same. Rather than attribute the relative indifference I felt as Broken House drew near the end to Turner having failed to immerse himself and, thus, his reader in that specific universe, I would argue that he has published as a final product something I'd have expected to find in his files of first drafts.
January 16, 2018
Broken House was a bit of a let down for me since it was described as a mystery but was not a mystery as far as I was concerned. It should be sold as a drama story instead of a mystery. While I liked the story and understand this was an advanced copy, the typos and duplicate partial sentences really made it hard to read fluidly. They also did not have the format set so there would be scenes regarding one character and then suddenly another character's issues would be addressed. It was also hard to follow who was saying what. Because of the typos, duplications, and formatting issues it made it hard to truly decide how well the book was written.
The police officer mentioned in the blurb was not in the story except being mentioned and one phone call to his brother. I did however like the storylines once I was able to forget what I was told the story would be about and the genre it was supposed to be. I liked some of the characters and how they interacted together.
I am giving this honest review after receiving an ARC of the book.
The police officer mentioned in the blurb was not in the story except being mentioned and one phone call to his brother. I did however like the storylines once I was able to forget what I was told the story would be about and the genre it was supposed to be. I liked some of the characters and how they interacted together.
I am giving this honest review after receiving an ARC of the book.
January 22, 2018
I became acquainted with Tom Turner on Facebook prior to his first book, Palm Beach Nasty, and have read all of his books. This one, Broken House, is a deviation from Charlie Crawford murder mysteries, and I was eager to see how he transitioned to another genre. I was not diasppointed.
Tom Turner's books are fun to read. He has the ability to introduce new characters in a memorable way and keeps the action moving. I love his very short chapters; they keep me reading just one more...just one more...until, before I know it, I've finished the book, eager for the next one to be written.
I did think that some of the situations in the book were unlikely, though. There seemed to be little staff supervision in this rehabilitation center, and the characters had more freedom in their actions that I would have expected. That having been said, Broken House was a fun read, and I would recommend it.
Tom Turner's books are fun to read. He has the ability to introduce new characters in a memorable way and keeps the action moving. I love his very short chapters; they keep me reading just one more...just one more...until, before I know it, I've finished the book, eager for the next one to be written.
I did think that some of the situations in the book were unlikely, though. There seemed to be little staff supervision in this rehabilitation center, and the characters had more freedom in their actions that I would have expected. That having been said, Broken House was a fun read, and I would recommend it.
January 17, 2018
Broken House is the first book I've read from Tom Turner, and I can absolutely say it won't be the last. When I first started reading it, I couldn't really get into it. I wasn't a fan of Cam, but by the second chapter I was hooked. The story revolves around several characters and each chapter focuses on the POV of a different one. I ended up very vested in these characters and as a result was on an emotional roller coaster with them; laughing one minute, crying the next. Broken House is a great read, both heartwarming and heartwrenching and I couldn't put it down.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 8, 2020
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I am hooked on Tom Turner. I read his other books and had to read this book in order to form my own opinion. I liked it and one of the reasons is that its real. Most of us have been impacted by drugs - one way or another or may be we are or used to be in denial. I found several good quotes through the book that i can apply to my life. This is not a self help book — yet, I does make you think about your own life and how we decide and we are the driver of our own life. I give it FIVE STARS. Also, I love Charlie Crawford.
I am hooked on Tom Turner. I read his other books and had to read this book in order to form my own opinion. I liked it and one of the reasons is that its real. Most of us have been impacted by drugs - one way or another or may be we are or used to be in denial. I found several good quotes through the book that i can apply to my life. This is not a self help book — yet, I does make you think about your own life and how we decide and we are the driver of our own life. I give it FIVE STARS. Also, I love Charlie Crawford.
January 17, 2018
Let me first begin by saying that this story was not what it was marketed to be, which was a little disappointing. That being said, I thought the story was good aside from being a little all over the place.
The characters were likable, but I did not really find myself attached to any of them. Overall, I would just say that this book was “okay”.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were likable, but I did not really find myself attached to any of them. Overall, I would just say that this book was “okay”.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 18, 2018
Broken House was an AMAZING read!!
Broken House follows a group of people in Rehab. A place, they really didn't want to be. Each for their different addition, that none could tame on their own. We follow them, in their every different struggles to get clean. A small group of people, who form friendships and try to help each other succeed to become sober. A book, you can't put down until the very end!
Broken House follows a group of people in Rehab. A place, they really didn't want to be. Each for their different addition, that none could tame on their own. We follow them, in their every different struggles to get clean. A small group of people, who form friendships and try to help each other succeed to become sober. A book, you can't put down until the very end!
September 29, 2019
Very different.
Not a mystery like the Palm Beach and Charleston series. This is a touching look at the struggles of addiction. My brother died the night of his last binge after 10years of sobriety so this book especially affected me. Great job creating interesting characters that make you care.
Not a mystery like the Palm Beach and Charleston series. This is a touching look at the struggles of addiction. My brother died the night of his last binge after 10years of sobriety so this book especially affected me. Great job creating interesting characters that make you care.
September 17, 2020
The Not Broken Story
I really enjoyed this book! The idea Mr. Turner took from a minor character in one of the Palm Beach mysteries and wrote a whole new story and cast around a very interesting plot and made them so the reader was pulling for a happy ending for each one! Thanks Mr. Turner!
I really enjoyed this book! The idea Mr. Turner took from a minor character in one of the Palm Beach mysteries and wrote a whole new story and cast around a very interesting plot and made them so the reader was pulling for a happy ending for each one! Thanks Mr. Turner!
July 20, 2024
Review of Broken House
Well, I enjoyed this story particularly because I have had those same
Demons to fight. My stay at a rehab some 37 years ago was much more mundane. But, happy to say Iam and have been sober ever since.
Without giving up the ending, let’s say I was a bit let down.
Well written,though….thx,Tom. Keep ‘em coming. E.B.
Well, I enjoyed this story particularly because I have had those same
Demons to fight. My stay at a rehab some 37 years ago was much more mundane. But, happy to say Iam and have been sober ever since.
Without giving up the ending, let’s say I was a bit let down.
Well written,though….thx,Tom. Keep ‘em coming. E.B.
January 21, 2018
Excellent
The characters s, the setting, the reality, the truth was in every page of this book. And last, but definitely not least, it was uplifting and inspiring. Thank you Mr. Turner
The characters s, the setting, the reality, the truth was in every page of this book. And last, but definitely not least, it was uplifting and inspiring. Thank you Mr. Turner
January 28, 2018
A gripping novel
A really fascinating look into recovery homes and stories of their recovering patients. A very interesting read with many twists and turns. So very well worth reading. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
A really fascinating look into recovery homes and stories of their recovering patients. A very interesting read with many twists and turns. So very well worth reading. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
March 4, 2020
Okay book
Not fond of Charlie’s wil’o’the’wisp brother, the flawed golden child, Cameron Crawford, but he seems to be on a better path by the end of the book. Unanswered questions remain however, and one character did not get a fair shake, in my opinion.
Not fond of Charlie’s wil’o’the’wisp brother, the flawed golden child, Cameron Crawford, but he seems to be on a better path by the end of the book. Unanswered questions remain however, and one character did not get a fair shake, in my opinion.
January 17, 2025
very good read
As a big fan of. Charlie Crawford and all of Tom Turner’s protagonists, I was very pleased with this story centered on Charlie’s troubled brother. Enjoyed it immensely!
As a big fan of. Charlie Crawford and all of Tom Turner’s protagonists, I was very pleased with this story centered on Charlie’s troubled brother. Enjoyed it immensely!
February 9, 2018
Great book
Kept me engaged. The amount of detail and feeling had me pulling for all his characters, made me laugh and cry.
Kept me engaged. The amount of detail and feeling had me pulling for all his characters, made me laugh and cry.
September 8, 2018
Worth reading!
Not his usual mystery detective police procedural, I decided to read this book, anyway. I have really enjoyed the characters and their interaction! Thanks so much!
Not his usual mystery detective police procedural, I decided to read this book, anyway. I have really enjoyed the characters and their interaction! Thanks so much!
January 29, 2019
Disappointing drama about social misfits at an expensive rehab facility and their boring backgrounds. Was expecting a real mystery.
September 15, 2021
Amazing Book
Excellent writing. Loved the story line. Captivating character development.
Liked it better than the Palm Beach series, which was a great read.
Excellent writing. Loved the story line. Captivating character development.
Liked it better than the Palm Beach series, which was a great read.
November 12, 2021
Broken
Tom Turner has written a superb novel that introduces the reader to a group of people who have been broken down by life. Learn how they cope and overcome.
Tom Turner has written a superb novel that introduces the reader to a group of people who have been broken down by life. Learn how they cope and overcome.
March 20, 2023
great read !!
This very well-written book speaks to the good in people, Hope and second chances. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This very well-written book speaks to the good in people, Hope and second chances. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews