What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pinebox Vendetta
From the author of The Winner Maker and Blackquest 40 comes The Pinebox Vendetta: a genre-bending thriller that combines a love story, cold-case murder mystery, and political blood feud – told over the course of a single breathless weekend.
The Gallaghers and Pruitts have dominated the American political landscape dating back to Revolutionary times. The Yale University class of 1996 had one of each, and as the twenty-year reunion approaches, the families are on a collision course.
Owen Gallagher is coasting to the Democratic nomination for president.
Rock Pruitt – the brash maverick whose career was derailed two decades ago by his association to a tragic death – is back, ready to reclaim the mantle of clan leader.
And fatefully in between lies Samantha Lessing. Sam arrives at reunion weekend lugging a rotten marriage, dumb hope, and a portable audio recorder she'll use for a public radio-style documentary on the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry – widely known as the pinebox vendetta. What Sam uncovers will thrust her into the middle of the ancient feud, upending presidential politics and changing the trajectory of one clan forever.
The Pinebox Vendetta is the first entry in the Pruitt-Gallagher saga: a series that promises cutthroat plots, power grabs, and unforgettable characters stretched to their very limits by the same ideological forces that roil America today.
The Gallaghers and Pruitts have dominated the American political landscape dating back to Revolutionary times. The Yale University class of 1996 had one of each, and as the twenty-year reunion approaches, the families are on a collision course.
Owen Gallagher is coasting to the Democratic nomination for president.
Rock Pruitt – the brash maverick whose career was derailed two decades ago by his association to a tragic death – is back, ready to reclaim the mantle of clan leader.
And fatefully in between lies Samantha Lessing. Sam arrives at reunion weekend lugging a rotten marriage, dumb hope, and a portable audio recorder she'll use for a public radio-style documentary on the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry – widely known as the pinebox vendetta. What Sam uncovers will thrust her into the middle of the ancient feud, upending presidential politics and changing the trajectory of one clan forever.
The Pinebox Vendetta is the first entry in the Pruitt-Gallagher saga: a series that promises cutthroat plots, power grabs, and unforgettable characters stretched to their very limits by the same ideological forces that roil America today.
284 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2020
216 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Bond
9 books227 followersJeff Bond is an American author of popular fiction. His books have earned multiple starred reviews from Kirkus and BlueInk and been featured in The New York Review of Books. His 2020 release, The Pinebox Vendetta, received a gold medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards. A Kansas native and Yale graduate, he now lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters. (Who share his Kindle account, as you might guess from peeking at his bookshelf.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 6, 2023
The Pinebox Vendetta by Jeff Bond
This story of two families that have dominated the political landscape of America since the Revolutionary War times just isn't for me. I'm not usually into political books but characters that I can care for can make such a book good for me. Yet I could not connect with any of the characters in this book. The two characters that I would most likely connect with turned me off with their whining, blaming, and unwise decisions. This may be better for folks who can grab onto the big picture of the story but I surely didn't identify with either of the powerful, wealthy, get what you want at all costs, political families. Samantha Lessing is the main character and the best thing she could ever do for her daughter is to take her daughter and leave her horrible marriage. Instead she uses the excuse of her daughter to stay with a man who is bad for both of them. This is the first book in a series about the Pruitt-Gallagher centuries old war and they don't care who they take down with them.
Thank you to Jeff Bond Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This story of two families that have dominated the political landscape of America since the Revolutionary War times just isn't for me. I'm not usually into political books but characters that I can care for can make such a book good for me. Yet I could not connect with any of the characters in this book. The two characters that I would most likely connect with turned me off with their whining, blaming, and unwise decisions. This may be better for folks who can grab onto the big picture of the story but I surely didn't identify with either of the powerful, wealthy, get what you want at all costs, political families. Samantha Lessing is the main character and the best thing she could ever do for her daughter is to take her daughter and leave her horrible marriage. Instead she uses the excuse of her daughter to stay with a man who is bad for both of them. This is the first book in a series about the Pruitt-Gallagher centuries old war and they don't care who they take down with them.
Thank you to Jeff Bond Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 1, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE PINEBOX VENDETTA (Pruitt-Gallagher Saga Book #1) by Jeff Bond is the start of a new thriller series. This is a political “Hatfield vs. McCoy” thriller with hidden agendas, dirty tricks and memorable but not so nice characters.
The Pruitts and Gallaghers have battled for political dominance since the Revolutionary War.
Rock Pruitt left Yale under suspicion of murdering his roommate and even as his powerful family helped him then, they never publicly backed him in his future to claim political power.
Jamie Gallagher was an idealist who left Yale and joined the Peace Corp in Africa. Everyone believes he died assassinating an evil warlord.
Yale University class of 1996 is gathered for the weekend for their twenty-year class reunion. Samantha Lessing is attending with her teenage daughter. She wants her to love Yale as much as she did when she attended. Sam has come with an agenda though besides seeing old friends. She wants to interview her classmates about the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, also known as the pinebox vendetta to use as a radio-style documentary for her work.
This reunion weekend once again brings all the families together. Secrets will be uncovered, plots revealed and the vendetta continues on.
At the beginning I was not sure where this story was going. It has a time and scene jumping start that had me confused at first, but once the reunion starts and the characters get sorted, the plot started to intrigue me and then I could not put it down. The author’s writing style is lean and the plot moves quickly. I was not very happy when the book ended, but I did feel the author did not cheat and leave a cliffhanger because he did reveal the solution of the mystery from twenty-years-ago before the ending.
Samantha started out so beaten down and stagnant in her life and marriage, but in just this weekend she takes control of her life and I loved her life decisions at the end. All of the Pruitts and Gallaghers are twisted, corrupt, manipulative and just plain unlikable, but they were also memorable and sadly realistic.
This is a unique thriller and even though I did not like the main characters, I do want to continue reading more of this saga to find out what else Mr. Bond has planned for them.
THE PINEBOX VENDETTA (Pruitt-Gallagher Saga Book #1) by Jeff Bond is the start of a new thriller series. This is a political “Hatfield vs. McCoy” thriller with hidden agendas, dirty tricks and memorable but not so nice characters.
The Pruitts and Gallaghers have battled for political dominance since the Revolutionary War.
Rock Pruitt left Yale under suspicion of murdering his roommate and even as his powerful family helped him then, they never publicly backed him in his future to claim political power.
Jamie Gallagher was an idealist who left Yale and joined the Peace Corp in Africa. Everyone believes he died assassinating an evil warlord.
Yale University class of 1996 is gathered for the weekend for their twenty-year class reunion. Samantha Lessing is attending with her teenage daughter. She wants her to love Yale as much as she did when she attended. Sam has come with an agenda though besides seeing old friends. She wants to interview her classmates about the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, also known as the pinebox vendetta to use as a radio-style documentary for her work.
This reunion weekend once again brings all the families together. Secrets will be uncovered, plots revealed and the vendetta continues on.
At the beginning I was not sure where this story was going. It has a time and scene jumping start that had me confused at first, but once the reunion starts and the characters get sorted, the plot started to intrigue me and then I could not put it down. The author’s writing style is lean and the plot moves quickly. I was not very happy when the book ended, but I did feel the author did not cheat and leave a cliffhanger because he did reveal the solution of the mystery from twenty-years-ago before the ending.
Samantha started out so beaten down and stagnant in her life and marriage, but in just this weekend she takes control of her life and I loved her life decisions at the end. All of the Pruitts and Gallaghers are twisted, corrupt, manipulative and just plain unlikable, but they were also memorable and sadly realistic.
This is a unique thriller and even though I did not like the main characters, I do want to continue reading more of this saga to find out what else Mr. Bond has planned for them.
April 16, 2020
I absolutely LOVED The Winner Maker. Sadly, Bond's second book was not for me but when I saw that The Pinebox Vendetta was a political thriller I thought this would be a return to the writing style that I found so intriguing in the first book. I was wrong. I struggled to finish the book and once finished, I wished that I had not.
The Pinebox Vendetta centers around two incredibly power political families in the US. Wealthy, Corrupt, into every facet of business, entertainment, politics across the continent, they control nearly everything - well, no - they do control everything. The outlier in the story is Sam, the once girlfriend of a family member and Yale graduate.
The story unfolds at a Yale reunion where there is rape, sexual abuse, murder, lies, corruption, cover up, and that's just part of the story. Sadly, as I was reading this I had running scenarios in my head of all of the factual politicians who had committed this very same offenses and the more I read, the more sickened I became. Fiction, Reality, Truth as Fiction - the lines were so blurred and making the horror of it all seem so normal made me more sick. The ONLY reason I finished the book was because I kept waiting for accountability. Someone had to be the good guy. Surely Sam would turn them in, tell the story, step up to the plate. But no. No one ever does and, as we know, even if she had she would have tarred and feathered and her life would have been ruined by the "families." I had a visceral reaction to the book, obviously. Maybe that is a good thing. But I hate that it exists and I hate that it is far more truth than fiction.
The Pinebox Vendetta centers around two incredibly power political families in the US. Wealthy, Corrupt, into every facet of business, entertainment, politics across the continent, they control nearly everything - well, no - they do control everything. The outlier in the story is Sam, the once girlfriend of a family member and Yale graduate.
The story unfolds at a Yale reunion where there is rape, sexual abuse, murder, lies, corruption, cover up, and that's just part of the story. Sadly, as I was reading this I had running scenarios in my head of all of the factual politicians who had committed this very same offenses and the more I read, the more sickened I became. Fiction, Reality, Truth as Fiction - the lines were so blurred and making the horror of it all seem so normal made me more sick. The ONLY reason I finished the book was because I kept waiting for accountability. Someone had to be the good guy. Surely Sam would turn them in, tell the story, step up to the plate. But no. No one ever does and, as we know, even if she had she would have tarred and feathered and her life would have been ruined by the "families." I had a visceral reaction to the book, obviously. Maybe that is a good thing. But I hate that it exists and I hate that it is far more truth than fiction.
March 15, 2020
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Deceit, cover-ups, exposures, families doing anything for the love of power, politics and control. Jeff Bond’s THE PINEBOX VENDETTA reads like a political nightmare come to life as two families re-ignite an old feud and the voters of America are the pawns caught in the middle, who is the biggest puppet master?
After a slow start, the pace picks up, the intrigue becomes interesting and the players are ones one would love to hate. I found that the characters were never likable, they were manipulative, and left no stone unturned to throw dirt on their opponents.
That said, this tale does pick up and become a fascinating tale of the dark side of power, love, life and even death. Get through the first half, the second part is worth it, someone may even accept responsibility for their actions...or will they???
I was invited to receive a complimentary ARC edition as part of a blog tour review. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Jeff Bond (April 15, 2020)
Publication Date: April 15, 2020
Genre: Suspense | Political Fiction
Print Length: 263 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Deceit, cover-ups, exposures, families doing anything for the love of power, politics and control. Jeff Bond’s THE PINEBOX VENDETTA reads like a political nightmare come to life as two families re-ignite an old feud and the voters of America are the pawns caught in the middle, who is the biggest puppet master?
After a slow start, the pace picks up, the intrigue becomes interesting and the players are ones one would love to hate. I found that the characters were never likable, they were manipulative, and left no stone unturned to throw dirt on their opponents.
That said, this tale does pick up and become a fascinating tale of the dark side of power, love, life and even death. Get through the first half, the second part is worth it, someone may even accept responsibility for their actions...or will they???
I was invited to receive a complimentary ARC edition as part of a blog tour review. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Jeff Bond (April 15, 2020)
Publication Date: April 15, 2020
Genre: Suspense | Political Fiction
Print Length: 263 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 27, 2020
I was invited to read an ARC of this American political drama by the author, who had liked my review of one of his other books, Blackquest 40, but with the warning that it was a very different genre. It’s the beginning of a series about two wealthy dynasties who have battled for political power for hundreds of years, focussing on a black sheep from each family who happened to be at Yale University together.
Sam Lessing, a struggling documentary New York filmmaker in a failing marriage, travels to her twenty year college reunion with her teenage daughter, hoping to reconnect with old friends and interview people about the legendary Pinebox Vendetta, a centuries’ old feud between the Conservative Pruitts and the Liberal Gallaghers. Rock Pruitt is a loathsome misogynist bully (remind you of anyone?) whose political career was derailed by the death of his roommate Derek in his first year. Jamie Gallagher, an ideologically driven dreamer went to Africa to save the world, but died trying to assassinate an evil dictator. Both were in her graduation class, and she’s always regretted not continuing the brief romance that had ignited between her and Jamie at the end of their studies, and wondered why Rock was never prosecuted for Derek’s death. Over the course of the reunion weekend, old secrets will be aired, enmities revived and public figures ruined as the vendetta fires up again.
I’m interested in and enjoy reading about politics, although don’t understand the American system. This was an entertaining introduction to some wonderfully loathsome characters, but it’s important to realise this isn’t a complete story, just the beginning of a saga, otherwise you could be disappointed by the ending as much is left unresolved and justice is not served. It’s not a long book and so much is left unexplained - including exactly what the titular Pinebox is - hopefully this will be revealed in future books.
I liked the sly humour and caricatures - neither side is spared although the author’s sympathies are clearly to the left, and the cynical way the Gallaghers would put forward an amiable male moron for the Democratic nomination while his clever successful businesswoman cousin pulls the strings felt sadly realistic, while the powerful Pruitts cover up all wrongdoing by the monstrous Rock and still consider letting him run for state office also emblematic of all that’s wrong with the country’s system.
There are no very likeable characters here, even the nice well meaning ones like Sam and Joss are a bit too self-interested and make some silly decisions - this wasn’t a problem for me in this case.
The antagonists were wickedly entertaining - I would’ve strangled Abe with his power cable, he’s such a pathetically petulant loser. There is a sort of love story and sort of murder mystery but they aren’t central to the plot, although I didn’t see the denouement coming at all.
Recommended to those who enjoy an accessible saga and don’t mind waiting to find out what happens next. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to Jeff Bond for bringing it to my attention.
Sam Lessing, a struggling documentary New York filmmaker in a failing marriage, travels to her twenty year college reunion with her teenage daughter, hoping to reconnect with old friends and interview people about the legendary Pinebox Vendetta, a centuries’ old feud between the Conservative Pruitts and the Liberal Gallaghers. Rock Pruitt is a loathsome misogynist bully (remind you of anyone?) whose political career was derailed by the death of his roommate Derek in his first year. Jamie Gallagher, an ideologically driven dreamer went to Africa to save the world, but died trying to assassinate an evil dictator. Both were in her graduation class, and she’s always regretted not continuing the brief romance that had ignited between her and Jamie at the end of their studies, and wondered why Rock was never prosecuted for Derek’s death. Over the course of the reunion weekend, old secrets will be aired, enmities revived and public figures ruined as the vendetta fires up again.
I’m interested in and enjoy reading about politics, although don’t understand the American system. This was an entertaining introduction to some wonderfully loathsome characters, but it’s important to realise this isn’t a complete story, just the beginning of a saga, otherwise you could be disappointed by the ending as much is left unresolved and justice is not served. It’s not a long book and so much is left unexplained - including exactly what the titular Pinebox is - hopefully this will be revealed in future books.
I liked the sly humour and caricatures - neither side is spared although the author’s sympathies are clearly to the left, and the cynical way the Gallaghers would put forward an amiable male moron for the Democratic nomination while his clever successful businesswoman cousin pulls the strings felt sadly realistic, while the powerful Pruitts cover up all wrongdoing by the monstrous Rock and still consider letting him run for state office also emblematic of all that’s wrong with the country’s system.
There are no very likeable characters here, even the nice well meaning ones like Sam and Joss are a bit too self-interested and make some silly decisions - this wasn’t a problem for me in this case.
The antagonists were wickedly entertaining - I would’ve strangled Abe with his power cable, he’s such a pathetically petulant loser. There is a sort of love story and sort of murder mystery but they aren’t central to the plot, although I didn’t see the denouement coming at all.
Recommended to those who enjoy an accessible saga and don’t mind waiting to find out what happens next. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to Jeff Bond for bringing it to my attention.
July 12, 2020
An intriguing story.
The story is about the political vendetta between two families. The story unfurled slowly in the beginning but then it picked up speed and I was stunned with the revelations behind it.
I found both the families manipulative and the author has done a brilliant job of bringing them to life.
Samantha Lessing is the person who brings the story out and her character is also very well etched.
Interesting story.
The story is about the political vendetta between two families. The story unfurled slowly in the beginning but then it picked up speed and I was stunned with the revelations behind it.
I found both the families manipulative and the author has done a brilliant job of bringing them to life.
Samantha Lessing is the person who brings the story out and her character is also very well etched.
Interesting story.
July 6, 2020
What a fun start to a series! I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it definitely turned into a pleasant surprise. This was a super quick read and was full of suspense and intrigue. The characters were a great mix of a little bit of everything, all loveable/hateable to the same degree. Anyone who enjoys political thrillers will find this one thoroughly entertaining. I'm excited to read more.
June 22, 2020
The Pinebox Vendetta is a neo-political soap opera that will keep the pages turning. I almost stopped reading after the first chapter because I thought the writing was a little clumsy (hence 4 stars instead of 5), but I am so glad I didn't. Jeff Bond spins a good yarn. I really enjoyed seeing the development of Sam and her relationship with her daughter Joss blossom against the setting of her college reunion at Yale. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue that was created regarding the death of Derek Dickerson. I think Charlotte could have been developed more, and maybe that's the author's plan for another episode in the saga. Look forward to finding out. A good neo-political soap opera story.
March 12, 2020
Third book I’ve read by this author, and I have enjoyed each one, though they are totally different. The strength in this book, to me, was the character development. Each character was ‘real’ and had depth of personality. Memories, friendships, romances, politics, betrayals, and alliances are all mixed into an entertaining story that is only the beginning (I hope). I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2020
Jeff Bond is the rare author who can write various genres and do each of them justice. His first book, The Winner Maker, was a traditional thriller, while his second, Blackquest 40, was a techno-terrorism thriller. In his latest, The Pinebox Vendetta, Bond combines family feuds, political intrigue, a romance, and a cold-case murder mystery into the span of one college reunion weekend.
I greatly enjoyed this book and am pleased to know it is the beginning of a new series. The characters are likeable (or unlikeable, but purposefully so) and the plot moves along without a single ounce of padding. I can see this as the perfect weekend read - but perhaps I am biased since that's exactly how I consumed it.
I highly recommend this (and all of Jeff's) books for anyone who enjoys a multi-genre spanning tale of upscale mischief and mayhem. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC to read and review.
I greatly enjoyed this book and am pleased to know it is the beginning of a new series. The characters are likeable (or unlikeable, but purposefully so) and the plot moves along without a single ounce of padding. I can see this as the perfect weekend read - but perhaps I am biased since that's exactly how I consumed it.
I highly recommend this (and all of Jeff's) books for anyone who enjoys a multi-genre spanning tale of upscale mischief and mayhem. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC to read and review.
June 29, 2020
The Pinebox Vendetta by Jeff Bond is the story of the Gallaghers and Pruitts, two families that have been feuding since the Revolutionary War. Jonas Pruitt and Ephraim Gallager quarreled over a pinebox, the contents which were unknown. At one time they were friends and associates but they vowed that they would never be friends again.
The twenty-year reunion is fast approaching and with members of the two families, Owen Gallagher who is hoping to be the Democratic-run for President and Rock Pruitt, a nasty man who wants to reclaim his reputation. Twenty years ago his roommate was killed and the case never solved.
Sam Lessing will be there at the twenty-year reunion with her daughter Joss, who is looking at colleges. She is going so she can Zoom the reunion, as many people that she can film but mostly the Pruitts and Gallaghers. She wants to film a documentary of the two families. While there she and Joss find something that could knock the socks of one of the family members.
Sam is having problems of her own, her marriage is falling apart and she has feelings for Jamie Gallagher who has been living in Africa for the last 10 years. He is back for the reunion also but wants nothing to do with the feud. Sam and Jamie find themselves embroiled in the feud anyway.
What I liked, I enjoyed the writing and I am glad to see that The PineBox Vendetta is the first in a series because I would love to read more about the Pruits and Gallaghers. Digging deeper into the family dynamics. I think that the author portrayed each character appropriately to the story.
What I did not like, Rock Pruitt, I found him to be a very nasty man, I think that you will determine that also once you start reading this book. No spoilers here! Read this book you should, if you like a good mystery/whodunnit. Well written and mysteriously enough to keep the reader wanting more. I have read another one of Jeff Bond's books and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The twenty-year reunion is fast approaching and with members of the two families, Owen Gallagher who is hoping to be the Democratic-run for President and Rock Pruitt, a nasty man who wants to reclaim his reputation. Twenty years ago his roommate was killed and the case never solved.
Sam Lessing will be there at the twenty-year reunion with her daughter Joss, who is looking at colleges. She is going so she can Zoom the reunion, as many people that she can film but mostly the Pruitts and Gallaghers. She wants to film a documentary of the two families. While there she and Joss find something that could knock the socks of one of the family members.
Sam is having problems of her own, her marriage is falling apart and she has feelings for Jamie Gallagher who has been living in Africa for the last 10 years. He is back for the reunion also but wants nothing to do with the feud. Sam and Jamie find themselves embroiled in the feud anyway.
What I liked, I enjoyed the writing and I am glad to see that The PineBox Vendetta is the first in a series because I would love to read more about the Pruits and Gallaghers. Digging deeper into the family dynamics. I think that the author portrayed each character appropriately to the story.
What I did not like, Rock Pruitt, I found him to be a very nasty man, I think that you will determine that also once you start reading this book. No spoilers here! Read this book you should, if you like a good mystery/whodunnit. Well written and mysteriously enough to keep the reader wanting more. I have read another one of Jeff Bond's books and thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 13, 2020
A lot can happen during a more than 200-year long feud between two families, the Gallaghers and the Pruitts, as a result of the legendary Pinebox Vendetta. As each family struggles for power in politics, left-wing ideology vs. right wing conservatism, the rivalry results in dirty tricks and dark drama. A twenty-year college reunion at Yale brings both families together, a perfect set-up for a collision course of chaos. And a perfect chance for crazy-man Rock Pruitt to prove his worth. It’s also a chance for Samantha Lessing to show her daughter, Joss, the magic of Yale. Sam is also hoping to discover details of what really happened in the scandalous death of a student for a documentary she is working on involving the Pinebox Vendetta. Contemporary political conflicts, woven through with the underhanded scheming of Rock Pruitt—what a character!—build up to the appearance of Sam’s long-lost love. Twists and turns lead Sam to a powerful decision for her and her daughter.
June 23, 2020
The Pruitt and Gallagher families have been fighting for centuries and despite the changes in time as the years go by, one thing that stays the same is the nasty feud between the two families. With each character having their own motives and means \, you're always wondering what's about to happen next. Not only that, but with mysteries on every corner for both families, you deep dive into this sophisticated world, and also just as deep into their dark secrets as well! The first novel of this series and already it is as dark and mysterious as anything you know. A very addictive read that will leave you wondering what's to happen next!
July 19, 2020
I liked that the narrative revolved around the main character Sam, a female journalist returning to her alma mater Yale for a college reunion with the private intention of creating a documentary investigating the death of a student. She begins uncovering a political rivalry between the Gallagher and Pruitt families; a sinful dynasty filled with corruption, manipulation, and deception.
Unfortunately, the main character, Sam, was the only character worth investing in, aside from her 14-year-old daughter Joss, who as a teenager is likable and at times irritating. Some of the characters were one-dimensional, stereotypical, and often impossible to emotionally relate to. The dialogue is stiff at times.
While this political thriller is an intriguing conception based on a pursuit of power, it felt like an unfinished thought.
Unfortunately, the main character, Sam, was the only character worth investing in, aside from her 14-year-old daughter Joss, who as a teenager is likable and at times irritating. Some of the characters were one-dimensional, stereotypical, and often impossible to emotionally relate to. The dialogue is stiff at times.
While this political thriller is an intriguing conception based on a pursuit of power, it felt like an unfinished thought.
June 17, 2020
The PInebox Vendetta is the first of a new series by Jeff Bond which focuses on the battle for political dominance between two families, the Gallaghers and the Pruitts, dating back to the Revolutionary War. It reflects on Jamie Gallagher who left Yale to join the Peace Corp and begins at a Yale weekend reunion which brings the families together again. During this weekend, many secrets are revealed and the never-ending battle between families continues. The book contains some mysterious twists, suspense, some interesting characters to say the least and leaves you at the end waiting for the story to continue.
April 9, 2020
The rating shows 5 stars, but I'm only giving this book 4.5 stars.
The Pruitt and Gallagher families have been involved in a feud for centuries, and the current generations are no closer to ending the feud than those at the beginning of it. Called the Pinebox Vendetta, the origins of the feud have been cloaked in mystery. And THE PINEBOX VENDETTA doesn't answer any questions about the past generations of the families involved except in generalities -- when one family bested the other, mainly.
But that's not why I took half of a star away. No, the reason THE PINEBOX VENDETTA is getting only 4.5 stars is this: There's not really a character worth rooting for in the whole book except for 14-year-old Joss, who isn't related in any way to either the Pruitt or Gallagher clans but is pulled in to the story all the same because her mom, Samantha Lessing, was once close to Jamie Gallagher.
Jamie Gallagher? Faked his death for ten years ago but couldn't resist attending the twenty-year reunion for the Yale Class of 1996. May or may not be hiding a secret or two. Says he wants to not be involved in the feud but revels in a brawl with Rock Pruitt.
Rock Pruitt? Really wants to enter the political arena but keeps getting denied by his connected family because of an incident that took place during his freshman year at Yale. As a result he abuses drugs and alcohol and uses women. Will do anything -- ANYTHING!!! -- to one-up the Gallaghers, and even members of his own family.
Samantha "Sam" Lessing? She wants to do a documentary on the vendetta but she learns the hard way that her goal may be putting herself in the crosshairs of both the Gallagher and Pruitt families.
THE PINEBOX VENDETTA is a great start to a trilogy by Jeff Bond. I'm certainly looking forward to where the next part of the story takes readers.
Highly recommended!
I received an eARC from the author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Pruitt and Gallagher families have been involved in a feud for centuries, and the current generations are no closer to ending the feud than those at the beginning of it. Called the Pinebox Vendetta, the origins of the feud have been cloaked in mystery. And THE PINEBOX VENDETTA doesn't answer any questions about the past generations of the families involved except in generalities -- when one family bested the other, mainly.
But that's not why I took half of a star away. No, the reason THE PINEBOX VENDETTA is getting only 4.5 stars is this: There's not really a character worth rooting for in the whole book except for 14-year-old Joss, who isn't related in any way to either the Pruitt or Gallagher clans but is pulled in to the story all the same because her mom, Samantha Lessing, was once close to Jamie Gallagher.
Jamie Gallagher? Faked his death for ten years ago but couldn't resist attending the twenty-year reunion for the Yale Class of 1996. May or may not be hiding a secret or two. Says he wants to not be involved in the feud but revels in a brawl with Rock Pruitt.
Rock Pruitt? Really wants to enter the political arena but keeps getting denied by his connected family because of an incident that took place during his freshman year at Yale. As a result he abuses drugs and alcohol and uses women. Will do anything -- ANYTHING!!! -- to one-up the Gallaghers, and even members of his own family.
Samantha "Sam" Lessing? She wants to do a documentary on the vendetta but she learns the hard way that her goal may be putting herself in the crosshairs of both the Gallagher and Pruitt families.
THE PINEBOX VENDETTA is a great start to a trilogy by Jeff Bond. I'm certainly looking forward to where the next part of the story takes readers.
Highly recommended!
I received an eARC from the author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2020
Caveat: Under normal circumstances, I would have read this book in a matter of days, it was that good. However, it took me much longer because my focus has been off due to the pandemic, which has affected my reading time.
Are you like me, that when you read a book by an author for the first time and totally enjoyed it, that you feel like you hit the jackpot? And then to find out that he writes different genres, which I saw on another blog that I follow, (http://bookswithbircky.blogspot.com/2...), you know you want to get your hands on all his books that you missed!
This book had it all!! A family feud between 2 families of great political prominence that has been traced back to Revolutionary times, a cold case murder, cover ups, extremely flawed characters that you will despise, suspense, friendships, personal dynamics, corruption, and one person’s persistence of wanting to find the truth.
It’s Yale’s reunion weekend and Samantha Lessing, and her daughter Joss will be attending. Sam is looking forward to seeing old friends but also thinking of what could have been. She also has an ulterior motive and that is making a documentary about The Pinebox Vendetta between the Pruitts and Gallaghers. Rock Pruitt and Jamie Gallagher were part of that class and the feud waged on. But one of them would be missing from the event, Sam’s friend, Jamie as he died while doing missionary work. But the class of ’96 will be shocked at what happens during this reuniting.
I enjoy a book whereas I feel that I am “there” and the author did an amazing job with his words and descriptions that lead me into the turmoil of the story and settings. The characters he created were so dysfunctional that I felt total contempt for, except for 14-year-old Joss. I can’t remember a book, that I have read, that created those emotions for the majority of the cast, which in my opinion, the author did an exceptional job in bringing them into existence. The suspense took hold and didn’t let go.
Did Sam find the truth behind The Pinebox Vendetta? Was she able to solve the cold case murder that took place during her time as a student at Yale? Was the outcome the same as her preconceived thoughts? Or was she as floored as I was at the conclusion of this gathering?
A gripping, exciting, and at the same time, infuriating read that I definitely recommend!
Are you like me, that when you read a book by an author for the first time and totally enjoyed it, that you feel like you hit the jackpot? And then to find out that he writes different genres, which I saw on another blog that I follow, (http://bookswithbircky.blogspot.com/2...), you know you want to get your hands on all his books that you missed!
This book had it all!! A family feud between 2 families of great political prominence that has been traced back to Revolutionary times, a cold case murder, cover ups, extremely flawed characters that you will despise, suspense, friendships, personal dynamics, corruption, and one person’s persistence of wanting to find the truth.
It’s Yale’s reunion weekend and Samantha Lessing, and her daughter Joss will be attending. Sam is looking forward to seeing old friends but also thinking of what could have been. She also has an ulterior motive and that is making a documentary about The Pinebox Vendetta between the Pruitts and Gallaghers. Rock Pruitt and Jamie Gallagher were part of that class and the feud waged on. But one of them would be missing from the event, Sam’s friend, Jamie as he died while doing missionary work. But the class of ’96 will be shocked at what happens during this reuniting.
I enjoy a book whereas I feel that I am “there” and the author did an amazing job with his words and descriptions that lead me into the turmoil of the story and settings. The characters he created were so dysfunctional that I felt total contempt for, except for 14-year-old Joss. I can’t remember a book, that I have read, that created those emotions for the majority of the cast, which in my opinion, the author did an exceptional job in bringing them into existence. The suspense took hold and didn’t let go.
Did Sam find the truth behind The Pinebox Vendetta? Was she able to solve the cold case murder that took place during her time as a student at Yale? Was the outcome the same as her preconceived thoughts? Or was she as floored as I was at the conclusion of this gathering?
A gripping, exciting, and at the same time, infuriating read that I definitely recommend!
April 4, 2020
Thank you, BookSirens, for a free advance copy of "The Pinebox Vendetta" in exchange for an honest review.
What happens when you take an extremely fun, trashy idea -- and treat it with respect and restraint? You get a modestly satisfying, politically charged crime novel like "The Pinebox Vendetta." Mr. Bond has reimagined American history as a feud between two ancient dynasties, the Gallaghers and Pruitts, who are roughly analogous to the Kennedys and Bushes, respectively, in their politics and scandals. However, he's compressed this billiantly silly idea to a single showdown between the clans' scions, Jamie Gallagher and Rock (yep -- Rock) Pruitt, at a 20-year Yale class reunion. Granted, Yale is the perfect setting to explore resentments among the .00001%, since that's where George W. Bush learned to hate "liberals," a group he categorized as anyone smarter than him (no wonder he felt surrounded). And to his credit, Mr. Bond tries to make both of the billionaire bozos equally loathsome, though his real bile is reserved for the hilariously dreadful Rock, who deserves to strut through a dozen entertaining thrillers about the global criminal demimonde. But Mr. Bond brings "The Pinebox Vendetta" some unexpected (and, if you ask me, unnecessary) depth with the character of Sam, a struggling documentary filmmaker and old flame of Jamie's whose career and marriage might end up as collateral damage in the Gallagher-Pruitt donnybrook. Like Rock, Sam seems to have wandered from another genre, maybe highbrow "chick lit," into this parallel universe. Still . . . re-fashioning the great ideological battles of American history as the outgrowth of personal pique is both comically absurd and tragically plausible (I remain convinced that Newt Gingrich plotted to impeach Bill Clinton after getting a bad seat on Air Force One on the way back from Yitzhak Rabin's funeral), so that conceit alone makes "The Pinebox Vendetta" a fun read.
What happens when you take an extremely fun, trashy idea -- and treat it with respect and restraint? You get a modestly satisfying, politically charged crime novel like "The Pinebox Vendetta." Mr. Bond has reimagined American history as a feud between two ancient dynasties, the Gallaghers and Pruitts, who are roughly analogous to the Kennedys and Bushes, respectively, in their politics and scandals. However, he's compressed this billiantly silly idea to a single showdown between the clans' scions, Jamie Gallagher and Rock (yep -- Rock) Pruitt, at a 20-year Yale class reunion. Granted, Yale is the perfect setting to explore resentments among the .00001%, since that's where George W. Bush learned to hate "liberals," a group he categorized as anyone smarter than him (no wonder he felt surrounded). And to his credit, Mr. Bond tries to make both of the billionaire bozos equally loathsome, though his real bile is reserved for the hilariously dreadful Rock, who deserves to strut through a dozen entertaining thrillers about the global criminal demimonde. But Mr. Bond brings "The Pinebox Vendetta" some unexpected (and, if you ask me, unnecessary) depth with the character of Sam, a struggling documentary filmmaker and old flame of Jamie's whose career and marriage might end up as collateral damage in the Gallagher-Pruitt donnybrook. Like Rock, Sam seems to have wandered from another genre, maybe highbrow "chick lit," into this parallel universe. Still . . . re-fashioning the great ideological battles of American history as the outgrowth of personal pique is both comically absurd and tragically plausible (I remain convinced that Newt Gingrich plotted to impeach Bill Clinton after getting a bad seat on Air Force One on the way back from Yitzhak Rabin's funeral), so that conceit alone makes "The Pinebox Vendetta" a fun read.
April 18, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a well-written fiction/mystery book. The storyline is well planned. The message is timely, if taken in the broadest terms. Character development is good. Perhaps one of the characters is too well developed, for I became irritated every time he appeared, almost to the point of not finishing the book. I am glad I stuck with it, so I am giving it five stars.
This is a well-written fiction/mystery book. The storyline is well planned. The message is timely, if taken in the broadest terms. Character development is good. Perhaps one of the characters is too well developed, for I became irritated every time he appeared, almost to the point of not finishing the book. I am glad I stuck with it, so I am giving it five stars.
July 13, 2020
Postbox Vendetta
This story is beyond excellent. Well written and we'll beyond imagination simply brilliant.. I loved it you may too. Get it now.
This story is beyond excellent. Well written and we'll beyond imagination simply brilliant.. I loved it you may too. Get it now.
April 7, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was probably one of the most fun books I've read this year. The characters were really well fleshed out - including the antagonist of the book. I really appreciated that they were all multi-dimensional; that people weren't awful for the sake of being awful. There was reason to their rhyme. I love a character you love to hate. I understand this is going to be a series, and I am here for it. We got teased and tantalized with hints of this pinebox that started the whole vendetta between families. I don't know where the author will go with it, but I want origin stories!
Sometimes when I read US-based political thrillers, I have a hard time following along because I'm Canadian and we have different political spheres to an extent, but I was able to follow the entire plot without having to look up anything, which added to the experience, since I didn't have to remove myself from it.
I don't want to go into too much details because it will spoil this story, so one last thing: I loved how the pacing starting off moderately (I don't want to say slow, because it has negative connotations), and then as the novel moved toward the finish, the action, the chapters, and the wording sped up. It was a fun ride.
This was probably one of the most fun books I've read this year. The characters were really well fleshed out - including the antagonist of the book. I really appreciated that they were all multi-dimensional; that people weren't awful for the sake of being awful. There was reason to their rhyme. I love a character you love to hate. I understand this is going to be a series, and I am here for it. We got teased and tantalized with hints of this pinebox that started the whole vendetta between families. I don't know where the author will go with it, but I want origin stories!
Sometimes when I read US-based political thrillers, I have a hard time following along because I'm Canadian and we have different political spheres to an extent, but I was able to follow the entire plot without having to look up anything, which added to the experience, since I didn't have to remove myself from it.
I don't want to go into too much details because it will spoil this story, so one last thing: I loved how the pacing starting off moderately (I don't want to say slow, because it has negative connotations), and then as the novel moved toward the finish, the action, the chapters, and the wording sped up. It was a fun ride.
April 4, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens.com.
This is an interesting story about the rivalry between two families that have long and extensive political histories. Both families have Yale University as common ground. The story in this book revolves around a woman, who works for a media outlet in New York, deciding to do a documentary about these two families at a Yale reunion weekend. Each family has a family member that was part of the 1996 graduation class that is holding their reunion.
The story in this book is kind of riveting. The characters in this book, especially Rock from the Pruitt family, are rather extremely portrayed, exaggerated. Rock has held political offices but his future is limited because of skeletons in his closet. His counterpart from the rival Gallagher family is seen more as a hero, the golden boy.
The woman making the documentary decides on midstream to see if she can get to the bottom of the issue that clouds the future of Rock Pruitt.
The book ends with resolution of what actually happened regarding the event that involved Rock Pruitt. But so much else was left unresolved. Lots of questions remain open. I guess this is going to be the first book in a series.
A fun read. A little hard to believe. Expected a more complete ending.
This is an interesting story about the rivalry between two families that have long and extensive political histories. Both families have Yale University as common ground. The story in this book revolves around a woman, who works for a media outlet in New York, deciding to do a documentary about these two families at a Yale reunion weekend. Each family has a family member that was part of the 1996 graduation class that is holding their reunion.
The story in this book is kind of riveting. The characters in this book, especially Rock from the Pruitt family, are rather extremely portrayed, exaggerated. Rock has held political offices but his future is limited because of skeletons in his closet. His counterpart from the rival Gallagher family is seen more as a hero, the golden boy.
The woman making the documentary decides on midstream to see if she can get to the bottom of the issue that clouds the future of Rock Pruitt.
The book ends with resolution of what actually happened regarding the event that involved Rock Pruitt. But so much else was left unresolved. Lots of questions remain open. I guess this is going to be the first book in a series.
A fun read. A little hard to believe. Expected a more complete ending.
June 21, 2020
Super enjoyable! Taking place over a weekend class reunion at Yale, the story introduces a family feud, and how it impacts the lives it crosses. The political/cultural conflicts were timely, and the attention to detail really made the story reflect our world in a nuanced way. The characters were so well done. The author tricked me into caring about what happens to a disgusting guy like Rock Pruitt! (Mostly, I wanted him to get punched in the face, but it's always fun to see a truly devious character in action.)
March 25, 2020
This is the third book I have read by this author and each one has its unique character which proves Jeff Bond can easily switch between various genres without losing the quality of the story.
You feel like you get to know each character. Like, dislike or hate them as you continue to read the pages. A good part of the story has to do with political families who will not stop at anything in order to become elected. Maybe not to the same degree of power play but it makes you think of some of the political families the US has known over the last 80 years. I think the pressure family members are under is probably very real in some of these cases
It also deals with love, betrayal and friendships. I highly recommend this book..
You feel like you get to know each character. Like, dislike or hate them as you continue to read the pages. A good part of the story has to do with political families who will not stop at anything in order to become elected. Maybe not to the same degree of power play but it makes you think of some of the political families the US has known over the last 80 years. I think the pressure family members are under is probably very real in some of these cases
It also deals with love, betrayal and friendships. I highly recommend this book..
Currently reading
February 12, 2021BookCave
July 5, 2020
FYI: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Over the course of a Yale reunion weekend, documentarian Sam and her daughter Joss uncover evidence in an decades old murder that ruined the future prospects for wealthy nihilist and fellow alum Rock Pruitt. When presumed-dead former love interest Jamie Gallagher reappears – at his own memorial ceremony no less – reunion activities and Sam’s and Joss’s sleuthing become more interesting. Pruitt, who has returned to seek petty vengeance against the university he blames for his reputational demise, discovers an opportunity to sabotage the political entreaties of Owen Gallagher. The Gallagher and Pruitt families have been at war for some 250+ years over something called “pinebox”. Family ties and the political aspirations of others come crashing down around Sam as she gets closer and closer to the truth.
The plot of this book is definitely interesting. I enjoyed the family and national politics at play, and it’s always nice to see a recognizable location in someone else’s writing. Combining underhanded political doings with the lore of secret societies, this caper was right up my alley. I applaud the author for bringing new life to such a mystery genre theme.
Here is where I struggled:
First, there is nary a likable character in sight. Sam is a self-effacing, self-victimizing whiner who has blamed all of her life’s failings on other people. Even the fact that she is still in her terrible marriage is blamed on her effort to protect her 14 year old daughter from the pain of divorce. Joss, said 14 year old daughter, is portrayed as both a spoiled, immature child who has been protected so long and so thoroughly that she is incapable of handling any sort of negative emotion, devolving into a teary and unmanageable mess at the slightest provocation; and a more-mature-than-her-age young woman who is overly interested in politics she couldn’t possibly understand, collegial topics beyond her reach, and emotionally wise and strong beyond her years. Jamie Gallagher is your typical poor-little-rich-boy who has spent the last 20 years pretending to be dead while really hiding out in Africa doing charitable work, among other things, so as to avoid the family feud with the Pruitts that have defined his family for generations. Rock Pruitt is so awful in his behaviors, and his actions so unbelievable (surviving a 12 story drop with enough fervor to run from the cops immediately after landing after hitting innumerable tree branches on the way down?) that he is more of a caricature than anything else, his motivation being that if has been considered this horrible person for so long, he might as well lean into it. And Abe, Sam’s husband, is a lazy, emotionally abusive, self righteous man who deflects his own personal flaws and failings onto the wife who has been supporting him for nearly two decades.
The events of the book would have been much more engaging if it had taken place over the course of perhaps 5 days, not two and a half. There was just too much happening for it to be believable that it starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday.
And the ending. I figured the book had about one or two more chapters left. Instead it just sort of stops. I understand this is the first in a series, but I needed a little more to bring the story in this book to some sort of closure. Does the culprit get away? What happens between Sam and Jamie? Sam and Abe? Is Joss going to be okay? It’s like you’re watching television and someone changes the channel before the show ends.
This review makes it seem like I did not enjoy this book. That is not true. Despite it’s flaws, I couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know what happened. This is a mark of undeniably superb writing. The dialogue is crisp and the pacing is breakneck, for better or for worse. This plot is gripping, and credit is due to the author for a well-written and entertaining story, hence the 4 stars despite my criticisms.
This book seemed just as much a work of fiction as it was a scathing indictment on everything from politics to the distribution of wealth to marriage to elitism and exclusivity in Ivy-league education. The author is not shy about his opinions here, and the book definitely feels imbued with that. If you are a reader for whom the authors presence does not affect the reading, and you enjoy a good romp through the seediest sides of humanity, you may enjoy this book.
Over the course of a Yale reunion weekend, documentarian Sam and her daughter Joss uncover evidence in an decades old murder that ruined the future prospects for wealthy nihilist and fellow alum Rock Pruitt. When presumed-dead former love interest Jamie Gallagher reappears – at his own memorial ceremony no less – reunion activities and Sam’s and Joss’s sleuthing become more interesting. Pruitt, who has returned to seek petty vengeance against the university he blames for his reputational demise, discovers an opportunity to sabotage the political entreaties of Owen Gallagher. The Gallagher and Pruitt families have been at war for some 250+ years over something called “pinebox”. Family ties and the political aspirations of others come crashing down around Sam as she gets closer and closer to the truth.
The plot of this book is definitely interesting. I enjoyed the family and national politics at play, and it’s always nice to see a recognizable location in someone else’s writing. Combining underhanded political doings with the lore of secret societies, this caper was right up my alley. I applaud the author for bringing new life to such a mystery genre theme.
Here is where I struggled:
First, there is nary a likable character in sight. Sam is a self-effacing, self-victimizing whiner who has blamed all of her life’s failings on other people. Even the fact that she is still in her terrible marriage is blamed on her effort to protect her 14 year old daughter from the pain of divorce. Joss, said 14 year old daughter, is portrayed as both a spoiled, immature child who has been protected so long and so thoroughly that she is incapable of handling any sort of negative emotion, devolving into a teary and unmanageable mess at the slightest provocation; and a more-mature-than-her-age young woman who is overly interested in politics she couldn’t possibly understand, collegial topics beyond her reach, and emotionally wise and strong beyond her years. Jamie Gallagher is your typical poor-little-rich-boy who has spent the last 20 years pretending to be dead while really hiding out in Africa doing charitable work, among other things, so as to avoid the family feud with the Pruitts that have defined his family for generations. Rock Pruitt is so awful in his behaviors, and his actions so unbelievable (surviving a 12 story drop with enough fervor to run from the cops immediately after landing after hitting innumerable tree branches on the way down?) that he is more of a caricature than anything else, his motivation being that if has been considered this horrible person for so long, he might as well lean into it. And Abe, Sam’s husband, is a lazy, emotionally abusive, self righteous man who deflects his own personal flaws and failings onto the wife who has been supporting him for nearly two decades.
The events of the book would have been much more engaging if it had taken place over the course of perhaps 5 days, not two and a half. There was just too much happening for it to be believable that it starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday.
And the ending. I figured the book had about one or two more chapters left. Instead it just sort of stops. I understand this is the first in a series, but I needed a little more to bring the story in this book to some sort of closure. Does the culprit get away? What happens between Sam and Jamie? Sam and Abe? Is Joss going to be okay? It’s like you’re watching television and someone changes the channel before the show ends.
This review makes it seem like I did not enjoy this book. That is not true. Despite it’s flaws, I couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know what happened. This is a mark of undeniably superb writing. The dialogue is crisp and the pacing is breakneck, for better or for worse. This plot is gripping, and credit is due to the author for a well-written and entertaining story, hence the 4 stars despite my criticisms.
This book seemed just as much a work of fiction as it was a scathing indictment on everything from politics to the distribution of wealth to marriage to elitism and exclusivity in Ivy-league education. The author is not shy about his opinions here, and the book definitely feels imbued with that. If you are a reader for whom the authors presence does not affect the reading, and you enjoy a good romp through the seediest sides of humanity, you may enjoy this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
In The Pinebox Vendetta, author Jeff Bond weaves a riveting political thriller that centers around the centuries long generational political feud between two powerful families, the Pruitts and the Gallaghers. Think Hatfields and McCoys, then add in the political element, and it all boils down to the cut-throat pursuit of power, with the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry becoming widely known as the pinebox vendetta.
The twenty-year reunion for the Yale Class of 1996 reignites the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, setting them on a collision course that will rock the weekend festivities. Rock Pruitt and Jamie Gallagher were part of the Class of 1996, and thus the families' rivalry continued during their time at Yale. Fellow classmate and friend of Jamie's, WNYC Public Radio producer Samantha Lessing is attending the reunion with her fourteen-year-old daughter Joss. While showing Joss around Yale, she becomes interested in pursuing a documentary on the Pruitt-Gallagher pinebox vendetta, and the unsolved cold-case murder mystery that Rock Pruitt had been involved in during his freshman year. What Samantha doesn't realize is that the reunion weekend is the perfect setting for the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry reopening the pandora box that is known as the pinebox vendetta, and everyone will get caught up in the feud as collateral damage.
The Pinebox Vendetta is a multi-layered and fast-paced political thriller that is masterfully interwoven with intrigue, secrets, deception, hidden agendas, political posturing, plots, threats, corruption, cover-ups, and a cold-case murder mystery, that easily engages the reader to follow along as the Yale Class of 1996 reunion weekend unfolds.
This is an exciting and dramatic story that will keep the reader guessing as Rock, Jamie, and Sam's individual plans for the reunion weekend ultimately reveals the dark side of politics, power, and manipulation, that will leave no one unscathed. The complexity of the characters' different personalities were intriguing, but I must admit that I thought they all weren't very likeable except for Joss, and I absolutely loathed Rock from beginning to end, he was a despicable excuse of a human being.
As a fan of political thrillers, I really enjoyed how the author transported the reader into the fascinating history of the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, and how their political feud continued from generation to generation. When you add in the intrigue, drama, and an unsolved murder mystery, you get a story with an explosive ending that will leave the reader dumbfounded.
The Pinebox Vendetta is the first book in The Pruitt-Gallagher Saga Series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
The twenty-year reunion for the Yale Class of 1996 reignites the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, setting them on a collision course that will rock the weekend festivities. Rock Pruitt and Jamie Gallagher were part of the Class of 1996, and thus the families' rivalry continued during their time at Yale. Fellow classmate and friend of Jamie's, WNYC Public Radio producer Samantha Lessing is attending the reunion with her fourteen-year-old daughter Joss. While showing Joss around Yale, she becomes interested in pursuing a documentary on the Pruitt-Gallagher pinebox vendetta, and the unsolved cold-case murder mystery that Rock Pruitt had been involved in during his freshman year. What Samantha doesn't realize is that the reunion weekend is the perfect setting for the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry reopening the pandora box that is known as the pinebox vendetta, and everyone will get caught up in the feud as collateral damage.
The Pinebox Vendetta is a multi-layered and fast-paced political thriller that is masterfully interwoven with intrigue, secrets, deception, hidden agendas, political posturing, plots, threats, corruption, cover-ups, and a cold-case murder mystery, that easily engages the reader to follow along as the Yale Class of 1996 reunion weekend unfolds.
This is an exciting and dramatic story that will keep the reader guessing as Rock, Jamie, and Sam's individual plans for the reunion weekend ultimately reveals the dark side of politics, power, and manipulation, that will leave no one unscathed. The complexity of the characters' different personalities were intriguing, but I must admit that I thought they all weren't very likeable except for Joss, and I absolutely loathed Rock from beginning to end, he was a despicable excuse of a human being.
As a fan of political thrillers, I really enjoyed how the author transported the reader into the fascinating history of the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry, and how their political feud continued from generation to generation. When you add in the intrigue, drama, and an unsolved murder mystery, you get a story with an explosive ending that will leave the reader dumbfounded.
The Pinebox Vendetta is the first book in The Pruitt-Gallagher Saga Series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
May 11, 2020
I saw a new book by Jeff Bond offered on BookSirens. When I checked the title, I found it was also available on Kindle Unlimited. So, I used my KU account, borrowed it and got myself comfortable for a new thriller by an author I have appreciated in the past. Out of the three books I have read, this was my least favorite. Although, I just read this may be book 1 in a new series, so maybe the future titles in the series will redeem this one.
The series may be a continuation of the two political families, who have a 200+ year feud going and essentially live on either side of the libera-conservative divide. There is a lot of promise there and Bond has already introduced a variety of characters from both families.
This book was about politics and power and greed. The storyline was limited to a long weekend, but many things occurred during that time. I found most of the characterizations to be sterotypical and stiff. There was a little bit of a twist at the end and that is part of the reason I would be willing (maybe more than) to read the subsequent books in this series.
Throughout this book, the author chose not to use much profanity, some, but not much. He would instead cut off his characters and tell the reader in less offensive words what his character *may* have said. I found this somewhat off-putting. Maybe I borrowed the PG version from KU? Profane language can easily become offensive. And I have certainly been taken out of a story when the cursing feels abrupt or out of character, but I think this may have been worse. At one point, we get "She strung together four or five curses, a sequence that suggested extreme bodily contortion." and then the next paragraph begins "She painted another profane image". This happened multiple times through the story. Not with just one character nor with every character. I found it took me out of the story a bit.
I do believe with the number of small characters, especially from the two feuding families, we could see a greater breadth of good guys and bad guys coming from both sides. I hope in the future installments we will get to see a better balance of strengths and flaws on both sides. There was some good insights from both camps that I thought could have been better explored without assigning one as evil and the other flighty.
With all that said, I will continue to read Jeff Bond's books. I think he has interesting and original stories. I have faith that writing can be practiced and improved upon, but originality and creativity can not be. I see his originality and will continue reading for it.
The series may be a continuation of the two political families, who have a 200+ year feud going and essentially live on either side of the libera-conservative divide. There is a lot of promise there and Bond has already introduced a variety of characters from both families.
This book was about politics and power and greed. The storyline was limited to a long weekend, but many things occurred during that time. I found most of the characterizations to be sterotypical and stiff. There was a little bit of a twist at the end and that is part of the reason I would be willing (maybe more than) to read the subsequent books in this series.
Throughout this book, the author chose not to use much profanity, some, but not much. He would instead cut off his characters and tell the reader in less offensive words what his character *may* have said. I found this somewhat off-putting. Maybe I borrowed the PG version from KU? Profane language can easily become offensive. And I have certainly been taken out of a story when the cursing feels abrupt or out of character, but I think this may have been worse. At one point, we get "She strung together four or five curses, a sequence that suggested extreme bodily contortion." and then the next paragraph begins "She painted another profane image". This happened multiple times through the story. Not with just one character nor with every character. I found it took me out of the story a bit.
I do believe with the number of small characters, especially from the two feuding families, we could see a greater breadth of good guys and bad guys coming from both sides. I hope in the future installments we will get to see a better balance of strengths and flaws on both sides. There was some good insights from both camps that I thought could have been better explored without assigning one as evil and the other flighty.
With all that said, I will continue to read Jeff Bond's books. I think he has interesting and original stories. I have faith that writing can be practiced and improved upon, but originality and creativity can not be. I see his originality and will continue reading for it.
May 14, 2020
"It all boils down to power. It's no more or less than the pursuit of power."
The Pinebox Vendetta by Jeff Bond as a political thriller that catches you off guard with its intensity and with an antagonist that is so easy to hate.
The Gallagher and the Pruitt families have been feuding for years, and the backstabbing is about to be taken to an entirely new level. At a Yale reunion for the class of 1996, Sam Lessing and her daughter, Joss, are ready for a weekend of fun and a bit of sleuthing on Sam’s part. What really happened freshman year when a classmate ended up dead? Was it an accident? Murder? Does anyone even care anymore? Sam is about to find out, but first, a few other surprises are in store during this reunion weekend. Jamie Gallagher, back from the ‘dead,’ and Rock Pruitt are two rivals headed for a collision like no other. As both families work diligently to smear and take down the other, the political drama heats up and sends the reader on high-speed chase for answers about the so-called Pinebox Vendetta between these families.
Jeff Bond delivers quite the tale of how a family feud can take on a long-lasting, hate-filled life of its own that is nothing short of vindictive, nasty, and maybe even deadly. Rock Pruitt is like no other antagonist I have encountered in all my years of reading. He is despicable, disgusting, smug, and dangerous. Jamie Gallagher is not the saint we want him to be, but he is certainly a few levels above Rock. Both of these characters make this story one you do not want to miss. Sam Lessing has a few personal issues of her own to work out, and all of these little plots crash together at the end, and the fallout and aftermath is both unsatisfying and appropriate. I would have dearly loved more backstory on the overall feud, but that definitely does not mean the story is anything less than entertaining and engrossing.
I have already mentioned the reprehensible and oh so abhorrent Rock Pruitt, but all the characters have varied personalities, giving the story that spark of drama and overall mystery in terms of wondering how everything will play out and who will do what to whom. Jeff Bond is a master storyteller, delivering yet another solid winner.
I received a free copy of this book from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Pinebox Vendetta by Jeff Bond as a political thriller that catches you off guard with its intensity and with an antagonist that is so easy to hate.
The Gallagher and the Pruitt families have been feuding for years, and the backstabbing is about to be taken to an entirely new level. At a Yale reunion for the class of 1996, Sam Lessing and her daughter, Joss, are ready for a weekend of fun and a bit of sleuthing on Sam’s part. What really happened freshman year when a classmate ended up dead? Was it an accident? Murder? Does anyone even care anymore? Sam is about to find out, but first, a few other surprises are in store during this reunion weekend. Jamie Gallagher, back from the ‘dead,’ and Rock Pruitt are two rivals headed for a collision like no other. As both families work diligently to smear and take down the other, the political drama heats up and sends the reader on high-speed chase for answers about the so-called Pinebox Vendetta between these families.
Jeff Bond delivers quite the tale of how a family feud can take on a long-lasting, hate-filled life of its own that is nothing short of vindictive, nasty, and maybe even deadly. Rock Pruitt is like no other antagonist I have encountered in all my years of reading. He is despicable, disgusting, smug, and dangerous. Jamie Gallagher is not the saint we want him to be, but he is certainly a few levels above Rock. Both of these characters make this story one you do not want to miss. Sam Lessing has a few personal issues of her own to work out, and all of these little plots crash together at the end, and the fallout and aftermath is both unsatisfying and appropriate. I would have dearly loved more backstory on the overall feud, but that definitely does not mean the story is anything less than entertaining and engrossing.
I have already mentioned the reprehensible and oh so abhorrent Rock Pruitt, but all the characters have varied personalities, giving the story that spark of drama and overall mystery in terms of wondering how everything will play out and who will do what to whom. Jeff Bond is a master storyteller, delivering yet another solid winner.
I received a free copy of this book from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
May 25, 2020
* 3.5 stars *
I hadn't read anything by this author before but was hooked by the political intrigue promised in the book's description. The crux of the story revolves around two families with extraordinary political influence and an even greater rivalry. Their desire to control supersedes everything - there are no lengths to which they will not go to retain influence.
Stuck in the middle is Sam, whose own marriage is on its knees, and who sees the reunion of her fellow Yale graduates as a chance to find herself again. Of course, the reunion is drama-packed, and really shows the true nature of the warring families. For me, as a non-American, the Yale scenes were confusing, so many unexplained acronyms to identify certain groups I had no idea what was going on. Added to the fact that key characters were just so awful, with not a likeable bone in their body, it was difficult to relate to them and understand their anger with the world.
In today's political climate, mud-slinging has become common-place, and here it was no different. It also seemed that these people - much like today's politicos - were never held accountable for their actions. Where was the voice of reason in all of this? I expected more of Sam, assumed her role would be to provide balance ...but, no.
The pace of events picked up in the second half and that old family feud kicked off with a vengeance, highlighting the darker and manipulative side of those wielding the power in politics. As fascinating as this was, at the back of my mind I was waiting for someone to own up to their actions, admit responsibility, and maybe - I know, what was I thinking? - show some contrition.
Despite the characters' complete lack of moral fibre, the families' ingrained ability to deceive, and the cover-ups, I felt compelled to read on, just in case .... It certainly gave me insight into the shenanigans going on behind the scenes during campaign season. It's probably - at least I hope so - an extreme take on that world. The ending felt incomplete, but maybe that will be resolved in the next book of the series.
I received a complimentary ARC edition as part of a blog tour review. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I hadn't read anything by this author before but was hooked by the political intrigue promised in the book's description. The crux of the story revolves around two families with extraordinary political influence and an even greater rivalry. Their desire to control supersedes everything - there are no lengths to which they will not go to retain influence.
Stuck in the middle is Sam, whose own marriage is on its knees, and who sees the reunion of her fellow Yale graduates as a chance to find herself again. Of course, the reunion is drama-packed, and really shows the true nature of the warring families. For me, as a non-American, the Yale scenes were confusing, so many unexplained acronyms to identify certain groups I had no idea what was going on. Added to the fact that key characters were just so awful, with not a likeable bone in their body, it was difficult to relate to them and understand their anger with the world.
In today's political climate, mud-slinging has become common-place, and here it was no different. It also seemed that these people - much like today's politicos - were never held accountable for their actions. Where was the voice of reason in all of this? I expected more of Sam, assumed her role would be to provide balance ...but, no.
The pace of events picked up in the second half and that old family feud kicked off with a vengeance, highlighting the darker and manipulative side of those wielding the power in politics. As fascinating as this was, at the back of my mind I was waiting for someone to own up to their actions, admit responsibility, and maybe - I know, what was I thinking? - show some contrition.
Despite the characters' complete lack of moral fibre, the families' ingrained ability to deceive, and the cover-ups, I felt compelled to read on, just in case .... It certainly gave me insight into the shenanigans going on behind the scenes during campaign season. It's probably - at least I hope so - an extreme take on that world. The ending felt incomplete, but maybe that will be resolved in the next book of the series.
I received a complimentary ARC edition as part of a blog tour review. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews