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The Holland Suggestions
When a mysterious photograph unlocks a Pandora's box full of memories, Jim Ryan begins a difficult journey toward the truth about the mother of his teenage daughter and uncovers a legacy of betrayal and murder. Reprint.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
23 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
John Dunning
77 books320 followersJohn Dunning was an American writer of non-fiction and detective fiction. He was known for his reference books on old-time radio and his series of mysteries featuring Denver bookseller and ex-policeman Cliff Janeway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 20, 2013
There is a saying that whenever one is faced with a choice between conspiracy and incompetence, one should always choose the latter. But, what if the choice is between conspiracy and paranoia? For much of The Holland Suggestions, it seems like the character is driven by paranoia. Yet, all of the character’s suspicions prove not to be ill-founded and even the final revelation proves to be something of an enigma. The Holland Suggestions is a thriller with, to borrow a lyric from a famous stage opening, “something for everyone…” but it isn’t a comedy. Imagine the idea of hypnotic regression (a la Bridey Murphy) combined with Hitchcock-style pursuers and observers, Serling-esque travelers, and legends from ghost towns (one dealing with lost Spanish gold). That skims the surface of The Holland Suggestions.
There is madness, an obsession, and desperation in this story. An architect who is apparently well-grounded starts to disintegrate psychologically when his daughter, somewhat of a doppelganger for his ex-wife, begins to dress like her mother and even paints a “self-portrait” with her mother’s distinguishing mole on her face. This, though she had never seen her mother or a picture of her mother! That would be unsettling enough, but he then receives an old dusty envelope with a modern cancellation along with its content, an old photograph that looks eerily familiar.
The protagonist begins to drink like a person trapped in one of those Hard Case Crime noir novels where the quicksand keeps seeping under her/his feet whenever he/she thinks safe, solid ground is under them. On one level, this feels different because the typical noir novel has its basis in some hubris that triggered the protagonist’s problem (or, at least, was unwittingly instigated by the protagonist). In The Holland Suggestions, much of the circumstance is the result of external forces—many of which the protagonist is unaware.
At times, the reader senses that the protagonist is caught in an intricate web, but John Dunning masterfully deflects suspicion at times so that one is certain that the narrator of the story is merely delusional and self-destructive. At times, it seems like the key to the story is to be found in the regression analysis (possibly echoed in the title, The Holland Suggestions) and at other times, it seems like the key is in the narrator’s failure to completely work through his abandonment (with infant daughter) by his ex-wife. At other times, there are obvious loose ends that the author doesn’t deem necessary to knot together (I can’t reveal them without providing a negative spoiler so suffice it to say that one of the loose ends is intentional and sets up a possible sequel of which I am unaware.).
For fans of Dunning, let me just say that I found this book to be more of a psychological thriller than the Bookman series or even, Two o’Clock, Eastern Wartime. Both the Bookman series and the book set in World War II are richly textured works which reflect Dunning’s special interests (antique books and the history of radio). In fact, they pulled me in because of their subject matter where this one pulled me in because I saw Dunning’s name. I don’t think this novel is as powerful as the other two, but it is easy to see the power of Dunning’s writing. It’s just that this seemed too much like a noir film and not as much of a masterpiece as his other work. For example, there are hidden identities that are obvious from the moment they are introduced, but the protagonist doesn’t “get it,” even when the identity should have been obvious. Such careless touches make The Holland Suggestions move to the bottom of my Dunning list instead of to the top. One thing is certain, though, one cannot say that all of his novels are the same. They obviously each have their own unique quality to them. There is no obvious formula for the Dunning books I’ve read.
There is madness, an obsession, and desperation in this story. An architect who is apparently well-grounded starts to disintegrate psychologically when his daughter, somewhat of a doppelganger for his ex-wife, begins to dress like her mother and even paints a “self-portrait” with her mother’s distinguishing mole on her face. This, though she had never seen her mother or a picture of her mother! That would be unsettling enough, but he then receives an old dusty envelope with a modern cancellation along with its content, an old photograph that looks eerily familiar.
The protagonist begins to drink like a person trapped in one of those Hard Case Crime noir novels where the quicksand keeps seeping under her/his feet whenever he/she thinks safe, solid ground is under them. On one level, this feels different because the typical noir novel has its basis in some hubris that triggered the protagonist’s problem (or, at least, was unwittingly instigated by the protagonist). In The Holland Suggestions, much of the circumstance is the result of external forces—many of which the protagonist is unaware.
At times, the reader senses that the protagonist is caught in an intricate web, but John Dunning masterfully deflects suspicion at times so that one is certain that the narrator of the story is merely delusional and self-destructive. At times, it seems like the key to the story is to be found in the regression analysis (possibly echoed in the title, The Holland Suggestions) and at other times, it seems like the key is in the narrator’s failure to completely work through his abandonment (with infant daughter) by his ex-wife. At other times, there are obvious loose ends that the author doesn’t deem necessary to knot together (I can’t reveal them without providing a negative spoiler so suffice it to say that one of the loose ends is intentional and sets up a possible sequel of which I am unaware.).
For fans of Dunning, let me just say that I found this book to be more of a psychological thriller than the Bookman series or even, Two o’Clock, Eastern Wartime. Both the Bookman series and the book set in World War II are richly textured works which reflect Dunning’s special interests (antique books and the history of radio). In fact, they pulled me in because of their subject matter where this one pulled me in because I saw Dunning’s name. I don’t think this novel is as powerful as the other two, but it is easy to see the power of Dunning’s writing. It’s just that this seemed too much like a noir film and not as much of a masterpiece as his other work. For example, there are hidden identities that are obvious from the moment they are introduced, but the protagonist doesn’t “get it,” even when the identity should have been obvious. Such careless touches make The Holland Suggestions move to the bottom of my Dunning list instead of to the top. One thing is certain, though, one cannot say that all of his novels are the same. They obviously each have their own unique quality to them. There is no obvious formula for the Dunning books I’ve read.
October 26, 2014
The Holland Suggestions by John Dunning.
The story is focused on a photograph of a cave. That cave is somewhere up in the Colorado Rockies. Jim Ryan believes it may hold answers to his own life as well as be a porthole to buried wealth.
I have read and totally enjoyed the Bookman series featuring THE bookman Cliff Janeway. This story, although suspenseful, made me feel as if I was on a merry go round from cave to home and back again.
With deep respect for this author and the Bookman series I give this story 3 stars.
The story is focused on a photograph of a cave. That cave is somewhere up in the Colorado Rockies. Jim Ryan believes it may hold answers to his own life as well as be a porthole to buried wealth.
I have read and totally enjoyed the Bookman series featuring THE bookman Cliff Janeway. This story, although suspenseful, made me feel as if I was on a merry go round from cave to home and back again.
With deep respect for this author and the Bookman series I give this story 3 stars.
September 12, 2020
John Dunning is such a good writer that’s it’s hard to not like this book. Yes, the writing is both concise and illustrative and easy to read. But the plot is a jagged half-told and never-finished journey. Perhaps it was written to be “thrilling” but it’s just comes off as disorganized. For example it starts out with interesting questions between a man with a mysterious past and his daughter, but he shortly abandons her and that whole part of the plot. The action toward the end is so far fetched that the conclusion can’t really justify it.
April 14, 2010
Hard to get through all 7 disks. Tortured plot with tortured characters. Jim Ryan's daughter disappeared after being his focus for the first few chapters...doesn't make one confident in his parenting skills. I live in Colorado and his Colorado mine stuff isn't terribly convincing. What can I say. How he got to the conclusion, even with being put into a trance, is beyond me. Didn't help that disk 3 skipped. And I like his book dealer stuff. Hmmm.
April 12, 2019
BOTTOM-LINE:
Love John Dunning's prose, but not as good as his book mysteries
.
PLOT OR PREMISE:
A man receives a photograph in the mail and starts having weird dreams and compulsions to go to the spot in the photo, even though he has never been there.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
The story has some interesting elements -- a mysterious past dealing with hypnosis, suggestion, regression, etc. Equally, he's a man trying to "recover" his life a bit, as his daughter starts to push back wanting to more about her absent mother. Finally, there are rumours of "gold in them there hills", stories of old wars, native tribes, miners, and tunnels. He is searching for a treasure that he feels compelled to find, but he doesn't know why.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
There are hints in a few places that is partly about memory, or perhaps even past lives, and as such, it seems like they're about to reveal that he's the reincarnated version of someone. I probably would have thrown the book across the room for the cheesiness if it had, but there are other parts that are almost as bad -- a finale with a series of weird action scenes that don't fit the characters, interactions with individuals that should be more compelling and urgent yet instead come of as "wait and see", and false and inaccurate tensions with snow storms.
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow him on social media.
Love John Dunning's prose, but not as good as his book mysteries
.
PLOT OR PREMISE:
A man receives a photograph in the mail and starts having weird dreams and compulsions to go to the spot in the photo, even though he has never been there.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
The story has some interesting elements -- a mysterious past dealing with hypnosis, suggestion, regression, etc. Equally, he's a man trying to "recover" his life a bit, as his daughter starts to push back wanting to more about her absent mother. Finally, there are rumours of "gold in them there hills", stories of old wars, native tribes, miners, and tunnels. He is searching for a treasure that he feels compelled to find, but he doesn't know why.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
There are hints in a few places that is partly about memory, or perhaps even past lives, and as such, it seems like they're about to reveal that he's the reincarnated version of someone. I probably would have thrown the book across the room for the cheesiness if it had, but there are other parts that are almost as bad -- a finale with a series of weird action scenes that don't fit the characters, interactions with individuals that should be more compelling and urgent yet instead come of as "wait and see", and false and inaccurate tensions with snow storms.
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow him on social media.
March 31, 2019
This was a long, slow, tedious read. There were sections where the main character is heading out on a road trip. He examines various maps, and there are discussions that last for pages of various routes and where they go and what other routes they intersect and connect with. *Yawn*
Once he finally chooses a route, there are pages long discussions of the plants and trees and rocks that line the road. *Yawn*
There are many plot points that make no sense. For example, the guy goes a hike that will last several days. Although he is wearing his winter clothes when he sets out, he takes along a backpack filled with with shorts and t-shirts and ZERO food and /or water. Then, there's a heavy, swirling snow that covers everything in huge drifts, but by morning, has melted off the road.
I thought the premise of the hypnosis was interesting, but it took until the I'd read 80% of the book before things really began to get rolling, but then, full stop at the end, which came without fully resolving all of the issues presented in the book.
Once he finally chooses a route, there are pages long discussions of the plants and trees and rocks that line the road. *Yawn*
There are many plot points that make no sense. For example, the guy goes a hike that will last several days. Although he is wearing his winter clothes when he sets out, he takes along a backpack filled with with shorts and t-shirts and ZERO food and /or water. Then, there's a heavy, swirling snow that covers everything in huge drifts, but by morning, has melted off the road.
I thought the premise of the hypnosis was interesting, but it took until the I'd read 80% of the book before things really began to get rolling, but then, full stop at the end, which came without fully resolving all of the issues presented in the book.
August 15, 2023
This was a good edge-of-your-seat, mess-with-your-mind suspense story. Throughout the book, there is a suggestion of something evil happening or coming but you're never quite sure what. As you travel along with Jim Ryan, you don't know who you can trust or where your subconscious is leading you. And though most of that is answered at the end, I did want more from the ending. The danger is over, but I wanted to know "what next?" with Jim, and his daughter, and Jill. I kind of wish there had been a sequel, or at least an epilogue for this one. But I'm known for wanting everything wrapped up in a neat and tidy bow so others will probably love the ending as-is.
This version has an introduction written by Dunning 22 years after the original printing and it offered good insight into the story's origins as well as his evolution as a writer between this one and his Bookman series.
This version has an introduction written by Dunning 22 years after the original printing and it offered good insight into the story's origins as well as his evolution as a writer between this one and his Bookman series.
October 31, 2019
3* I have been enjoying some audiobooks by this author and will continue to look for more. In many ways, I did enjoy this one. But I have also done a lot of wilderness hiking and camping, and for me, many of those scenes did not ring true, so much so that it threw me off the story line. Maybe I'll relent a little when I listen again in the future, but for now, 3* is the best I can give.
May 18, 2022
There was a story about a man named Bridey Murphy who discovered he had lead previous lives when he was subjected to temporal regression while hypnotized. That was in the fifties and is now largely forgotten. The idea is the basis for this book in which an old Spanish goldmine in Colorado is rediscovered. It ends without the discovery being truly exploited.
June 16, 2022
This was Dunning's first manuscript, not published until his other books established him as an author. I appreciated the "build-up" of this first novel, but could not make my way through the last part, as it was starting to erode my fond memories of his later work. But I think it would make an excellent exercise for a budding author to trace the development of someone's skills in storytelling.
July 16, 2017
Early Dunning. Very early.
July 28, 2019
It started out fun and suspenseful but really fell apart at the end. His later books are better.
February 5, 2023
A little slow but Dunning is always intriguing, even in this early version. I had hopes there was a second novel to finish the dangling plot point but apparently not.
July 9, 2013
I am a Dunning fan. The Jayneway series caught my attention in March and I have read all but two of Dunning's books--I have yet to find "Denver".
His books are generally fast-paced and exciting. I especially enjoyed learning more about the book-buying and -selling business--and the book that dealt with publishing as well.
It's very disappointing to learn from another reader that he is not writing any more--great talent. I also enjoyed Two O'Clock Eastern Time--we have forgotten the impact that radio had on the lives of the era--and we have forgotten the talents of those actors/producers involved. Good reading.
His books are generally fast-paced and exciting. I especially enjoyed learning more about the book-buying and -selling business--and the book that dealt with publishing as well.
It's very disappointing to learn from another reader that he is not writing any more--great talent. I also enjoyed Two O'Clock Eastern Time--we have forgotten the impact that radio had on the lives of the era--and we have forgotten the talents of those actors/producers involved. Good reading.
April 11, 2016
This is Dunning's first mystery novel and predates his Cliff Janeway series, which I really enjoyed. The Holland Suggestions revolves around a man names Jim Ryan, who is sent a series of unidentified photos showing what looks to be a cave somewhere in the mountains. Unable to focus on his work, he takes off on a cross-country quest to find the cave. The book includes intriguing elements of hypnosis, past life regression and legends of a treasure hidden somewhere in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of Colorado, along with the appearance of someone from his past. The story was interesting and I liked the author's description of the rugged Colorado mountains.
March 6, 2009
THE HOLLAND SUGGESTIONS - DNF
Dunning, John - Standalone
Product Description: A mysterious photograph unlocks a Pandora's Box of Jim Ryan's memories and lures him on a terrifying journey toward the shocking truth about the mother of his daughter, about himself, and about a past experiment in terror. As a legacy of betrayal and murder spirals out of control, Jim Ryan edges closer and closer to the hypnotic and destructive powers of "The Holland Suggestions".
Very boring - 90% narrative.
Dunning, John - Standalone
Product Description: A mysterious photograph unlocks a Pandora's Box of Jim Ryan's memories and lures him on a terrifying journey toward the shocking truth about the mother of his daughter, about himself, and about a past experiment in terror. As a legacy of betrayal and murder spirals out of control, Jim Ryan edges closer and closer to the hypnotic and destructive powers of "The Holland Suggestions".
Very boring - 90% narrative.
September 29, 2011
Well, this was Dunning's first book. If you've read his Bookman series, you may be interested to read this, just out of curiosity...
The plot is based on the idea of very deep hypnosis and actual reliving of events in one's past life, and goes on to deal with pursuit of Spanish gold caches in Colorado. But the way it plays out is way beyond improbable and I found the descriptions of supposedly hair-raising moments while exploring caves simply long and tedious and hard to visualize.
He improved a lot in his other books!
The plot is based on the idea of very deep hypnosis and actual reliving of events in one's past life, and goes on to deal with pursuit of Spanish gold caches in Colorado. But the way it plays out is way beyond improbable and I found the descriptions of supposedly hair-raising moments while exploring caves simply long and tedious and hard to visualize.
He improved a lot in his other books!
October 12, 2012
STAY OUT PLACES YOU WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD IN has long been apt advice. You would think that would apply to Colorado caves and abandoned mine shafts, but I found myself tightly tethered to the storyteller.
2 old manila envelopes, with photos and an ancient gold coin lead to an UNPLANNED yet PREDETERMINED cross- country trip.
I saw elements of Treasure Island and had a sense of the Unabomber - as-volunteer at Harvard experiments.
Not a Dunning book-dealer novel...This 1975 paperback felt dated. but the FEAR was well paced.
(This book was accidently removed and then re-added.)
2 old manila envelopes, with photos and an ancient gold coin lead to an UNPLANNED yet PREDETERMINED cross- country trip.
I saw elements of Treasure Island and had a sense of the Unabomber - as-volunteer at Harvard experiments.
Not a Dunning book-dealer novel...This 1975 paperback felt dated. but the FEAR was well paced.
(This book was accidently removed and then re-added.)
May 16, 2016
I enjoyed the book. I read some of the other reviews before listening to the book. I don't agree with the negative reviews. The road trip was a little boring but they can be that way. I could visualize the Colorado mountain town, the ghost town and the surrounding mountains. The fear of heights on trails, the terror of darkness in the cave was well written.
What I was looking for was an ending that finished the book. When they got in the mine was there still treasure? Guess I have some gold fever.
What I was looking for was an ending that finished the book. When they got in the mine was there still treasure? Guess I have some gold fever.
April 19, 2009
I listened to the sound recording. It's Dunning's earliest mystery story, and probably not as good as the Bookman series, but I like all his stuff. He's a local Colorado author and I heard him speak once. He's an interesting person. He and his wife operated antiquarian book stores, and he was a reporter for the local papers. He writes authentically. Unfortunately, there probably will not be any more books from him, as he suffered an illness that resulted in brain damage.
November 3, 2009
Don't remember this story too well, but had these quotes:
"I believe that everyone has a talent that he does naturally better than other people in that same field who cultivated theirs. Trouble is, most of us waste our natural abilities, and they deteriorate to nothing."
"She was one of those people who for about 15 years, remain ageless, as unchanging as a painting. I thought she was beautiful."
"I believe that everyone has a talent that he does naturally better than other people in that same field who cultivated theirs. Trouble is, most of us waste our natural abilities, and they deteriorate to nothing."
"She was one of those people who for about 15 years, remain ageless, as unchanging as a painting. I thought she was beautiful."
January 29, 2010
Although I loved Dunning's Bookman series, I didn't like this book at all. The main character was not credible, neither was the story. Told in the 1st person, there were lengthy descriptions of dangerous trails taken by the main character to find a centuries old hidden treasure cave. How the protagonist survived I don't know. I learned nothing from the story and, although my friend recommended it to me, I can't do the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2013
I've read other more recent books by John Dunning and he has definitely grown as a writer. This book was copyrighted in 1975 and this paperback version has a introduction he added in 1997. The intro itself was well worth the read as he discusses breaking into writing and what it takes. What it breaks down to is persistence.
The story of treasure, hypnotism and legends in southern Colorado was a good read and I can't wait to pass it on to my friends.
The story of treasure, hypnotism and legends in southern Colorado was a good read and I can't wait to pass it on to my friends.
December 21, 2011
I picked this book up when i was waiting for the tow truck to pick up my broken down car while on a ski trip in Aspen area. I went into the Redstone Inn to wait and they had a little library there so while I waited I began this book. Since it was set in the mountains of Colorado it grabbed my attention.
January 2, 2015
I think I listened to the disks about 9 or 10 years ago. Great start that drags in the middle picks up in last quarter and then really let's you down in last 10 pages. It's Amazing how much hiking, mountain climbing, fighting, running around through snow and freezing rain with little food and sleep one middle aged engineer can accomplish. Several plot holes.
March 8, 2009
This is a fine read with the central character, compelled by a psychological force he does not understand, travelling from his home in Virginia to the mountains of Colorado. This is a mystery and a psychological thriller well combined.
January 2, 2018
The audiobook version was tedious and the main character seemed hapless. I thought that there were too many plot confusions and repetitions. I'm still a John Dunning fan and loved his Bookman series. I'll try the wartime series next. Much of his writing is a delight.
January 22, 2009
Not really enjoying this one as it is weird. I am stuck with it now as I was travelling and just sucked it up - but I doubt I will change my minds.
Weird - weird - weird
Weird - weird - weird
Read
June 6, 2009Dark and sinister. The ending was lacking. It ended with a question, like maybe a sequel was to be forthcoming? Just ok
February 12, 2011
This was a bit of a disappointment from an author whose previous books I have enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews