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Dangerous Perceptions: The Road To Nowhere
*IBPA/BFDA Benjamin Franklin Silver Honoree Award Nov. 2016*
Two years after leaving the Marine Corp Steve Tait still hadn’t figured out what to do with the rest of his life. He’d left the Corp for a woman who had choices, now he’s a low paid security guard without a future, in a marriage that’s beginning to crack. He has drive, integrity and ambition, but he’s not going anywhere, so neither is she. The clock is ticking, time running out.
Wayne Jackson is a wealthy rancher and a visionary who runs his operation, and a nearby town, with an iron will. No one gets in his way, and those who do live to regret it. But life is far from perfect. The future is coming fast, he doesn’t like what he sees and needs to change whatever he can before it’s too late.
These men meet under explosive circumstances, and one day is all it takes for the world they know to be plunged into uncertainty, for lives to be threatened and for the future to be cast in doubt.
Two years after leaving the Marine Corp Steve Tait still hadn’t figured out what to do with the rest of his life. He’d left the Corp for a woman who had choices, now he’s a low paid security guard without a future, in a marriage that’s beginning to crack. He has drive, integrity and ambition, but he’s not going anywhere, so neither is she. The clock is ticking, time running out.
Wayne Jackson is a wealthy rancher and a visionary who runs his operation, and a nearby town, with an iron will. No one gets in his way, and those who do live to regret it. But life is far from perfect. The future is coming fast, he doesn’t like what he sees and needs to change whatever he can before it’s too late.
These men meet under explosive circumstances, and one day is all it takes for the world they know to be plunged into uncertainty, for lives to be threatened and for the future to be cast in doubt.
- GenresFiction
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
36 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Murray
3 books25 followersStuart Murray, former contracts manager with a Fortune 100 company, now a full time writer and author of three works "Dangerous Perceptions The Road To Nowhere", "Dangerous Perceptions: Unintended Consequences" and "Perfectly Played"
He is currently working on a fourth book scheduled to be released and published in 2018.
Awards
IBPA/BFDA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award Nov. 2016
He is currently working on a fourth book scheduled to be released and published in 2018.
Awards
IBPA/BFDA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award Nov. 2016
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 15, 2017
If you like action adventure be sure to check out this author. Always refreshing to find something different that also keeps your interest going to the end. It was an enjoyable read and one to be added to your list.
February 23, 2018
The Road to Nowhere
I had “The Road to Nowhere” on my TBR list for a very long time, a book I had downloaded a few years back from Amazon. After I had read more than half the book my friend asked if I was reading the latest edition…the book had been completely revised. I usually do update when I noticed them although here I cannot be certain I did…. So with this in mind my review reflects the edition I had in hand….
The story in a few words:
Former Marines Steve Tait and Jeff McCrae decide to rekindle the romance they’d once had with their wives, Karen and Shauna. A peaceful drive from Omaha to the quiet town of Whitefish turns into a battle of life and death when they become victims of road rage from Wayne Jackson.
My thoughts:
What I liked:
“The Road to Nowhere” is mostly a gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller. Mr. Murray’s imagination depicts brilliantly his diverse characters. Each are well thought out and through their eyes we are able to experience the confrontational and disturbing scenes they encountered. Whitefish is a town full of maniacal bullies and this thriller shows what happens when they come up against well trained former marine with PTSD. The story doesn’t stay there we go deep into Steve’s past and other problems that haunts his minds…back to the firing zones of Iraq and Afghanistan and the troubles his memories brought into his marriage.
This is chilling tale of suspense, an action packed drama that explores the darkest desires and highest of hopes. To describe this story in a few words: a wild ride where people are swept up in one clash after the other…… “Dangerous Perceptions”, could have been a very captivating read if it was not for……
What I didn’t like:
What spoiled the experience is how terribly the chapters meshed together. It was as if a flash of darkness happened and in the next chapter you are reading a totally different topic. I wondered too often if my mind had been someplace else and if I had missed something. Too many chapters have no resolution again leaving you wondering what happened to the players and how they managed to pull through. Although the story is good for most parts, I think it touches too many subjects. It may have been better to stay more focussed on one or two at the most…..
I had “The Road to Nowhere” on my TBR list for a very long time, a book I had downloaded a few years back from Amazon. After I had read more than half the book my friend asked if I was reading the latest edition…the book had been completely revised. I usually do update when I noticed them although here I cannot be certain I did…. So with this in mind my review reflects the edition I had in hand….
The story in a few words:
Former Marines Steve Tait and Jeff McCrae decide to rekindle the romance they’d once had with their wives, Karen and Shauna. A peaceful drive from Omaha to the quiet town of Whitefish turns into a battle of life and death when they become victims of road rage from Wayne Jackson.
My thoughts:
What I liked:
“The Road to Nowhere” is mostly a gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller. Mr. Murray’s imagination depicts brilliantly his diverse characters. Each are well thought out and through their eyes we are able to experience the confrontational and disturbing scenes they encountered. Whitefish is a town full of maniacal bullies and this thriller shows what happens when they come up against well trained former marine with PTSD. The story doesn’t stay there we go deep into Steve’s past and other problems that haunts his minds…back to the firing zones of Iraq and Afghanistan and the troubles his memories brought into his marriage.
This is chilling tale of suspense, an action packed drama that explores the darkest desires and highest of hopes. To describe this story in a few words: a wild ride where people are swept up in one clash after the other…… “Dangerous Perceptions”, could have been a very captivating read if it was not for……
What I didn’t like:
What spoiled the experience is how terribly the chapters meshed together. It was as if a flash of darkness happened and in the next chapter you are reading a totally different topic. I wondered too often if my mind had been someplace else and if I had missed something. Too many chapters have no resolution again leaving you wondering what happened to the players and how they managed to pull through. Although the story is good for most parts, I think it touches too many subjects. It may have been better to stay more focussed on one or two at the most…..
June 21, 2016
Former Marines, Steve Tait and Jeff McCrae, decide to rekindle the romance they’d once had with their wives, Karen and Shauna. A peaceful drive from Omaha to the quiet town of Whitefish becomes a battle of life and death when they become victims of road rage from Wayne Jackson – a man who'd wanted the car park at the truck stop which Steve had earlier pulled into, and whose vengeful actions almost cost the lives of those in Steve’s Buick, as well as an old couple inside a Honda Civic who’d swerved to avoid a collision with the large Chevrolet Silverado. Knowing that the old couple need a tow and medical attention, Steve heads into the nearest town to notify the sheriff of what had happened, only to be greeted by a corrupt police force in a tight-knit community. When the sheriff maliciously gives Steve directions back to the highway – directions which take him onto the private property of Wayne Jackson – a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, forever changing the lives of all players involved.
With not a single stone left unturned, Dangerous Perceptions: The Road to Nowhere is a gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller, the likes of which I have never read before. Stuart Murray’s imagination and ability to depict so many different personality types is brilliant. The clarity of every scene which played out in my mind was better than any action-thriller film I have ever watched, with each of the characters well thought out, enabling me to see the world through their eyes in real time. I found myself actually holding my breath in some of the confrontational scenes which were disturbingly realistic. Dangerous Perceptions shows what happens when a town full of maniacal bullies come up against a powerhouse in the form of a former Marine with PTSD, being the equivalent to a wrecking ball slamming into a steel wall. I very much enjoyed Stuart Murray’s action-packed novel and recommend it to all readers over 15 years of age who enjoy an emotionally charged battle of wills in a powerful and chilling tale of suspense, drama, action and revenge which breaks the needle on Richter scale of excellence.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
With not a single stone left unturned, Dangerous Perceptions: The Road to Nowhere is a gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller, the likes of which I have never read before. Stuart Murray’s imagination and ability to depict so many different personality types is brilliant. The clarity of every scene which played out in my mind was better than any action-thriller film I have ever watched, with each of the characters well thought out, enabling me to see the world through their eyes in real time. I found myself actually holding my breath in some of the confrontational scenes which were disturbingly realistic. Dangerous Perceptions shows what happens when a town full of maniacal bullies come up against a powerhouse in the form of a former Marine with PTSD, being the equivalent to a wrecking ball slamming into a steel wall. I very much enjoyed Stuart Murray’s action-packed novel and recommend it to all readers over 15 years of age who enjoy an emotionally charged battle of wills in a powerful and chilling tale of suspense, drama, action and revenge which breaks the needle on Richter scale of excellence.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
December 3, 2016
A well written tale of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. I would have scored it higher if the pacing had been a little faster, but that is a personal taste.
August 22, 2015
I finished reading this book a couple of months ago, and am just now getting to writing my review. Time can be an excellent judge of a book; although a considerable amount of it has gone by, the story stayed with me.
Two couples who are good friends, go for a much anticipated vacation together. They drive out west, their destination a golf resort in the mountains. And as agreed by both couples, it's a vacation without electronic devices, too. So, they left their cell phones at home.
On the interstate, they are nearly run off the road by a hopped-up truck. An older couple was run off the road at the same time; their car needed a tow. So the vacationers follow the route the truck had taken off the interstate exit, and down a two lane road. They wanted to report the driver to the authorities, and get help for the older couple.
But it wasn't just a short diversion down a two lane road they took; it was a trip down a long road to a place that could cost them their lives if they didn't find a way out.
The book was go-go-go from page one. The action scenes were riveting--and there was very little that wasn't action and fraught with calamity at the next bend.
Murray wrote a story with shades of "Deliverance" and "Race With The Devil".
I'll read the sequel, hoping it doesn't end in a bad place...
Two couples who are good friends, go for a much anticipated vacation together. They drive out west, their destination a golf resort in the mountains. And as agreed by both couples, it's a vacation without electronic devices, too. So, they left their cell phones at home.
On the interstate, they are nearly run off the road by a hopped-up truck. An older couple was run off the road at the same time; their car needed a tow. So the vacationers follow the route the truck had taken off the interstate exit, and down a two lane road. They wanted to report the driver to the authorities, and get help for the older couple.
But it wasn't just a short diversion down a two lane road they took; it was a trip down a long road to a place that could cost them their lives if they didn't find a way out.
The book was go-go-go from page one. The action scenes were riveting--and there was very little that wasn't action and fraught with calamity at the next bend.
Murray wrote a story with shades of "Deliverance" and "Race With The Devil".
I'll read the sequel, hoping it doesn't end in a bad place...
May 1, 2015
'One day is all it takes for the world they know to be plunged into uncertainty, for lives to be threatened and the future to be brought into question.' These words from the author, Stuart Murray, perfectly describe this story. From the first chapter, you know you are in for a nonstop thrilling read. It is a wild ride. Escalating circumstances, difficult decisions, powerful egos, and innocent people collide, becoming swept up in one clash after another. Multiple bad decisions are made by all sides and quickly deteriorate into paybacks with consequences. Two individuals, Steve Tate, a former Marine and Wayne Jackson, an arrogant Montana ranch owner, constantly lock horns in a battle of wits and personalities. This is a powerful thriller that jumps off the pages in an engaging read filled with Dangerous Perceptions on all sides.
January 16, 2017
8/21, HighRiver, MT (Rocky Mountains). Steve Tait (security guard, Sergeant 1st. class
USMC, Iraq, Afghanistan, PTSD), Karen Tait (wife), Jeff McCrae, & Shauna McCrae, were in the Tait’s car when a truck driver almost caused them to be in a serious accident.
Mr. Olsen & Mrs. Olsen Honda Civic had broken down back at the intersection of Highway 22.
Steve had told the Sheriff that was following up on the mishap; the 4 of them were on vacation & headed to Whitefish, MT., to play golf.
Joe Carter (elderly) told them when the car overheated & stopped the sign said Private Property, Keep Out.
He also let them know the road they were on was a dead end.
Joe later told them about the Carter vs. Jackson family feud.
They owned the adjoining land.
How were they going to get their Buick fixed?
Steve & Jeff borrowed Joe’s canoe & away they went down the roaring river.
Fast forward Karen Davis & Steve went out for dinner.
He had re-up’ed & was off to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group that patrolled the Persian Gulf.
Later Steve had a meeting with the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Kavanagh.
For the better his future was changed forever.
& what about the Montana Project?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written military romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great military romance adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Stuart Murra publisher; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
USMC, Iraq, Afghanistan, PTSD), Karen Tait (wife), Jeff McCrae, & Shauna McCrae, were in the Tait’s car when a truck driver almost caused them to be in a serious accident.
Mr. Olsen & Mrs. Olsen Honda Civic had broken down back at the intersection of Highway 22.
Steve had told the Sheriff that was following up on the mishap; the 4 of them were on vacation & headed to Whitefish, MT., to play golf.
Joe Carter (elderly) told them when the car overheated & stopped the sign said Private Property, Keep Out.
He also let them know the road they were on was a dead end.
Joe later told them about the Carter vs. Jackson family feud.
They owned the adjoining land.
How were they going to get their Buick fixed?
Steve & Jeff borrowed Joe’s canoe & away they went down the roaring river.
Fast forward Karen Davis & Steve went out for dinner.
He had re-up’ed & was off to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group that patrolled the Persian Gulf.
Later Steve had a meeting with the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Kavanagh.
For the better his future was changed forever.
& what about the Montana Project?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written military romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great military romance adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Stuart Murra publisher; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 20, 2017
Literally nowhere
Top 5 worst books I've ever read. The title is the best description I can think of- the road to nowhere. This books reads so slowly at times that I think the author bored himself. Pages that dime continue the story become chapters that don't continue the story, rabbit trails, overly detailed insignificant elements and no resolution leaves you wondering if the author is paid by the word. Don't waste your time.
Top 5 worst books I've ever read. The title is the best description I can think of- the road to nowhere. This books reads so slowly at times that I think the author bored himself. Pages that dime continue the story become chapters that don't continue the story, rabbit trails, overly detailed insignificant elements and no resolution leaves you wondering if the author is paid by the word. Don't waste your time.
December 1, 2016
This is a fabulous story that had me hooked from the beginning. Stuart Murray has done a great job with this very clever and tense Thriller. It really shows that one small incident, or one small decision could all of a sudden put your life in danger. When they all started out on their holiday, they had no idea it would turn into a complete nightmare. All it took was one unknown mistake by Steve when he almost hit another driver at a gas station, to turn into a road rage incident by one of the Jackson men. Maybe is Steve had realised that he had inadvertently triggered the incident, then he may have apologised and this all would have been forgotten about and they would have continued on with their holiday. However thinking that he had been terribly wronged by being run off the road by a manic driver, Steve wasn’t prepared to let it go, and proceeded to chase the idiot driver down. However it was still a surprise when they are pulled over by the town sheriff, and are accused of being in the wrong. Steve wasn’t to know that that the Sheriff owed the Jackson family, and he wasn’t about to go against them with some out of towner's. So the Sheriff leads them in the wrong direction where they become trapped by more of the Jackson clan that have turned up to chase them. It’s fortunate that they are able to pull the car into a house belonging to old man Joe Carter, who just happens to hate all of the Jackson’s, and is more than happy to help them out. Steve and Jeff are both ex-Marines and they are certainly no pushover, and they need to make sure nothing happens to their wives Karen and Shauna. They thought it would be a good idea not to take any mobile phones on this trip, so Jeff is going to need to fix their car if they are going to have any hope of getting out of this mess, as they are miles from anywhere. This is a very well written book, and it has an edge to it that I certainly enjoyed. I really look forward to more from this Author in the future. Do yourself a favour and read this book, you won’t be disappointed.
January 6, 2016
This was a very good story.
I truly enjoyed reading The road to nowhere. The characters came to life and the story was very real and believable. If you are looking for a good read, something to snuggle up to the fireplace with on a cold winters day then this is it. Some of my friends wouldn't buy it, they would say it was a girlie book. However, I found it to not be just that at all but I read for the enjoyment of it and I get into the story. So no it wasn't a girlie book, but a very well written story about life. Thanks for reading my review, I hope it helps you find an excellent read.
Frank
I truly enjoyed reading The road to nowhere. The characters came to life and the story was very real and believable. If you are looking for a good read, something to snuggle up to the fireplace with on a cold winters day then this is it. Some of my friends wouldn't buy it, they would say it was a girlie book. However, I found it to not be just that at all but I read for the enjoyment of it and I get into the story. So no it wasn't a girlie book, but a very well written story about life. Thanks for reading my review, I hope it helps you find an excellent read.
Frank
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews