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Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery
A finalist for Crime Writers of Canada Best Crime First Novel 2022Henry has hit rock bottom. A fifty-year old mystery could save him – or finish him off.Henry Lysyk’s life is a mess.With his marriage over and his accounting career marred by scandal, he retreats to the anonymity of a rented suite in a house shared with strangers. But the trail of a decades-old crime leads a murderous treasure hunter to his doorstep, and Henry is baffled by his neighbors’ cover-up.An unexpected visit from his adventure-hungry niece, Frieda, further complicates Henry’s efforts to lay low. With his houseguest refusing to stay away from the danger, Henry’s terrified they’re about to expose secrets someone would kill to protect. Not knowing who to trust, they must choose which parts of the past to uncover, and which to leave buried.A real-life ransom, a shadowy past, unlikely allies, and ruthless murder. Can Henry unravel this cold case before he and Frieda become its next victims?If you enjoy absorbing mysteries, original characters, and a dash of true crime, then you’ll love Byron TD Smith's clever “What if…” solution to the most captivating unsolved heist of the twentieth century.Windfall is the first instalment in the Henry Lysyk Mystery series."...a masterful work of mystery, drama, and criminally good writing." (K.C. Finn, ReadersFavorite)
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2021
About the author
Byron T.D. Smith
1 book24 followersByron TD Smith lives on Vancouver Island. He writes mysteries when he isn't accounting, motorcycling, or rambling in the coastal forest. He loves the smell of old books and coffee, and the sound of new wave music from 1987. The location of his secret underwater base remains undiscovered to this day.
Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery is his debut novel.
"Author Byron T. D. Smith has crafted a masterful work of mystery, drama, and criminally good writing for this exciting journey. Beyond the excellent writing quality and dynamic presentation, there are two standout strengths to the work for me. The first is in the crafting and imagination surrounding the true-crime element, which takes a really clever perspective on an unsolved case that I, as a true crime fan, knew very well, and puts in realistic thrills and spills that blur the lines between fact and fiction so well. The second, for me personally, was the presentation of Henry and Frieda, which was filled with deeper nuances than one would usually expect from this genre, and utilizes their unique powers as characters to convey key plot points through their emotional reactions and dynamic dialogue. Overall, this makes Windfall an accomplished work that will have its hooks in you from the very first chapter."
- K.C. Finn
Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery is his debut novel.
"Author Byron T. D. Smith has crafted a masterful work of mystery, drama, and criminally good writing for this exciting journey. Beyond the excellent writing quality and dynamic presentation, there are two standout strengths to the work for me. The first is in the crafting and imagination surrounding the true-crime element, which takes a really clever perspective on an unsolved case that I, as a true crime fan, knew very well, and puts in realistic thrills and spills that blur the lines between fact and fiction so well. The second, for me personally, was the presentation of Henry and Frieda, which was filled with deeper nuances than one would usually expect from this genre, and utilizes their unique powers as characters to convey key plot points through their emotional reactions and dynamic dialogue. Overall, this makes Windfall an accomplished work that will have its hooks in you from the very first chapter."
- K.C. Finn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 22, 2021
What a delightful and riveting debut novel!
To say that Henry (Hen) Lysyk's life is on a downward spiral is an understatement. His marriage is over, he has lost his job due to a scandal, and he is living with his cat in a rented suite in a home with strangers. He is happy when he learns that his niece, Frieda (Fred) is coming to stay; although her visit does mess with his plans to keep to himself. But her visit is just what the doctor ordered. She brings happiness and light and helps him to meet his neighbors.
But there is a treasure hunter on the prowl, looking to solve a fifty year of mystery. He is hot on the trail and unfortunately that trail brings him to Henry, his niece and his neighbors.
I love a good mystery and this book was no exception. I especially enjoyed how the author took a real-life mystery and wove it into his plot. Very well done! The characters are quirky and likeable. I really hope that this is the beginning of a series as I would enjoy spending time with them again!!! I think that says a lot about a debut, when the author creates storylines and characters that are not only intriguing but also has readers wanting more.
Frieda is the glue which brings the characters in this book together and they soon learn that working with each other will help in their search for the truth, but will the truth set them free? Plus, what is the truth? Who holds the key to this mystery?
The real-life mystery used in this book is interesting on its own and it elevates this plot. Be sure to read the author's note at the end! I found this book to be well written and paced. The conclusion was satisfactory and did not come out of left field - a big complaint of mine.
An engaging, entertaining and captivating read.
Thank you to Byron T.D. Smith who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
To say that Henry (Hen) Lysyk's life is on a downward spiral is an understatement. His marriage is over, he has lost his job due to a scandal, and he is living with his cat in a rented suite in a home with strangers. He is happy when he learns that his niece, Frieda (Fred) is coming to stay; although her visit does mess with his plans to keep to himself. But her visit is just what the doctor ordered. She brings happiness and light and helps him to meet his neighbors.
But there is a treasure hunter on the prowl, looking to solve a fifty year of mystery. He is hot on the trail and unfortunately that trail brings him to Henry, his niece and his neighbors.
I love a good mystery and this book was no exception. I especially enjoyed how the author took a real-life mystery and wove it into his plot. Very well done! The characters are quirky and likeable. I really hope that this is the beginning of a series as I would enjoy spending time with them again!!! I think that says a lot about a debut, when the author creates storylines and characters that are not only intriguing but also has readers wanting more.
Frieda is the glue which brings the characters in this book together and they soon learn that working with each other will help in their search for the truth, but will the truth set them free? Plus, what is the truth? Who holds the key to this mystery?
The real-life mystery used in this book is interesting on its own and it elevates this plot. Be sure to read the author's note at the end! I found this book to be well written and paced. The conclusion was satisfactory and did not come out of left field - a big complaint of mine.
An engaging, entertaining and captivating read.
Thank you to Byron T.D. Smith who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 15, 2021
3.5 stars
An entertaining and delightful cozy mystery.
Henry Lysyk is down on his luck. His wife left him for his friend and he lost his job after being mixed up in a company scandal. His thirteen-year-old niece comes to stay with him in his new apartment while her parents are away. Together with the help of their quirky apartment neighbours, they become involved in solving a fifty-year-old case of stolen money.
This was a great debut novel! The characters and their relationships were unique and charming. I enjoyed spending time with them and following their amateur sleuthing journey. Henry’s relationship with his niece was touching and one of my favourite parts of the book.
I enjoyed the way the author incorporated an old unsolved crime into the storyline. It kept me curious and intrigued to figure out how everything fit together. The narrative switches felt choppy at times, but it became easier to follow as the story progressed.
The book started off stronger than it ended for me. While the storyline was entertaining and enjoyable, the second half seemed to have lost the initial spark that fully captivated me.
Overall, a charming amateur sleuthing story with characters that kept me smiling and guessing what would happen next.
Thank you to the author for sending me a physical copy to review!
An entertaining and delightful cozy mystery.
Henry Lysyk is down on his luck. His wife left him for his friend and he lost his job after being mixed up in a company scandal. His thirteen-year-old niece comes to stay with him in his new apartment while her parents are away. Together with the help of their quirky apartment neighbours, they become involved in solving a fifty-year-old case of stolen money.
This was a great debut novel! The characters and their relationships were unique and charming. I enjoyed spending time with them and following their amateur sleuthing journey. Henry’s relationship with his niece was touching and one of my favourite parts of the book.
I enjoyed the way the author incorporated an old unsolved crime into the storyline. It kept me curious and intrigued to figure out how everything fit together. The narrative switches felt choppy at times, but it became easier to follow as the story progressed.
The book started off stronger than it ended for me. While the storyline was entertaining and enjoyable, the second half seemed to have lost the initial spark that fully captivated me.
Overall, a charming amateur sleuthing story with characters that kept me smiling and guessing what would happen next.
Thank you to the author for sending me a physical copy to review!
February 17, 2021
A fifty-year-old historical mystery is at the heart of this tale, with Henry Lysyk a former bank worker disgraced for his good deeds. Forced to move into an old apartment complex, his isolated life is interrupted by a dangerous adventure and a mismatch of unusual people. Ransom, murder, shadowy pasts and buried secrets combine to form a romp of a whodunnit. An unusual new hero is revealed and the next instalment of the Henry Lysyk crime solving team cannot come quick enough. A most enjoyable crime novel with a real blast ending, so three-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.
March 7, 2021
In Windfall, Byron TD Smith brings together an intriguing mystery, polished writing, and an absolutely delightful cast of characters.
I was worried after reading the first chapter, because it felt like Smith was trying so hard to be cryptic in setting up the mystery that I found it challenging to follow what was happening, especially in trying to keep the characters straight, even though there were only two of them.
I didn't need to worry, though. Once I met the full cast of characters, I was instantly enchanted. The plot moved along quickly (and became much easier to follow), but it was the characters that kept me glued to the page. I wanted to see their relationships develop, and I was invested in seeing how things turned out for each of them. While the style of the book is completely different, I was reminded of works like The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, or Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, all of which I also adored for their eclectic character ensembles.
I'm glad to know there will be more books following the exploits of Henry and Frieda!
I am grateful to the author and to BookSirens for providing me with an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was worried after reading the first chapter, because it felt like Smith was trying so hard to be cryptic in setting up the mystery that I found it challenging to follow what was happening, especially in trying to keep the characters straight, even though there were only two of them.
I didn't need to worry, though. Once I met the full cast of characters, I was instantly enchanted. The plot moved along quickly (and became much easier to follow), but it was the characters that kept me glued to the page. I wanted to see their relationships develop, and I was invested in seeing how things turned out for each of them. While the style of the book is completely different, I was reminded of works like The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, or Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, all of which I also adored for their eclectic character ensembles.
I'm glad to know there will be more books following the exploits of Henry and Frieda!
I am grateful to the author and to BookSirens for providing me with an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2021
In the myriad of books written, it's not easy to come up with something different and original, but this story is not like anything I have read before. But even better than the originality of this book, are the characters. They really come to life, and you feel like you're getting to know them very well.
February 18, 2021
A contemporary story of Henry, a banker, who has lost everything, including his job because of some shady dealings and his wife to a friend.
He moves into an apartment block, meets various people and along with his thirteen-year-old niece, gets involved in a hunt for a person, whose relative committed a crime many years before. I must admit, I got lost in all the techie stuff while they are chasing down a man, who will do anything to access what he thinks is his rightful legacy. I picked up the story towards the end when the plot is explained and begins to make sense. I struggled sometimes too with the terminology, which tends to be more Canadian English than U.S. It had a bit of an historical theme which I enjoyed and added to the mystery. All in all, it’s a hectic journey to find the answers, but comes together at the end for a satisfactory conclusion. Recommended for readers who like intricate mysteries.
He moves into an apartment block, meets various people and along with his thirteen-year-old niece, gets involved in a hunt for a person, whose relative committed a crime many years before. I must admit, I got lost in all the techie stuff while they are chasing down a man, who will do anything to access what he thinks is his rightful legacy. I picked up the story towards the end when the plot is explained and begins to make sense. I struggled sometimes too with the terminology, which tends to be more Canadian English than U.S. It had a bit of an historical theme which I enjoyed and added to the mystery. All in all, it’s a hectic journey to find the answers, but comes together at the end for a satisfactory conclusion. Recommended for readers who like intricate mysteries.
April 2, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable, well-written book.
The detective and his cohort of unlikely assistants are endearing and the mystery — an alternative explanation for a true life mystery — keeps you guessing to the end.
Recommended.
The detective and his cohort of unlikely assistants are endearing and the mystery — an alternative explanation for a true life mystery — keeps you guessing to the end.
Recommended.
January 19, 2021
Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery is a well-researched story interweaving real-world intrigue into a fictional tale full of questions. Windfall is not an over the top mystery thriller where every moment is filled with high suspense and the pressing need for action. Instead, it quietly tells a tale about an unassuming former banker, who is somewhat reluctantly drawn into the maze by a love for puzzles and at the urging of his precocious niece and captivating neighbor. The distraction might be exactly what our protagonist needs to pull him out of a dark period in his life – unless the danger catches up to him.
While the book may move at a more casual pace than many modern mysteries, which feel the need to fill every page with excitement, that does not mean it is lacking in tense moments of suspense. The first chapter of the book will hook you before the following chapters reel you into the world surrounding one of the most infamous unsolved crimes. Author Byron TD Smith does a terrific job of balancing these moments with wonderful character development, that leaves the reader feeling connected to those who live between the pages. All the characters feel real, and their actions are believable, which is not often something you find in the genre.
Mr. Smith’s writing flows smoothly across the pages and can make it difficult to find a place to pause your reading session. This can pose a hazard for late-night readers as they may find a short sleep ahead of them. Smith doesn’t rely on the high-octane world of sex, drugs, and rock & roll to sell the reader on his story, although all three do lurk around the edges. Instead, he relies on the compelling storylines and mildly eccentric characters he has created to keep readers engaged. He doesn’t attempt to write down to the reader to appeal to a larger audience, nor does he alienate readers with overembellished sentences.
After finishing the book, I was surprised to discover that Windfall was Mr. Smith’s first novel. The polished storytelling and literary presence read like an author who has honed his craft for years. I look forward to seeing what he will bring us next, and based on the subtitle am hoping to meet up with Henry and his friends again before too long.
While the book may move at a more casual pace than many modern mysteries, which feel the need to fill every page with excitement, that does not mean it is lacking in tense moments of suspense. The first chapter of the book will hook you before the following chapters reel you into the world surrounding one of the most infamous unsolved crimes. Author Byron TD Smith does a terrific job of balancing these moments with wonderful character development, that leaves the reader feeling connected to those who live between the pages. All the characters feel real, and their actions are believable, which is not often something you find in the genre.
Mr. Smith’s writing flows smoothly across the pages and can make it difficult to find a place to pause your reading session. This can pose a hazard for late-night readers as they may find a short sleep ahead of them. Smith doesn’t rely on the high-octane world of sex, drugs, and rock & roll to sell the reader on his story, although all three do lurk around the edges. Instead, he relies on the compelling storylines and mildly eccentric characters he has created to keep readers engaged. He doesn’t attempt to write down to the reader to appeal to a larger audience, nor does he alienate readers with overembellished sentences.
After finishing the book, I was surprised to discover that Windfall was Mr. Smith’s first novel. The polished storytelling and literary presence read like an author who has honed his craft for years. I look forward to seeing what he will bring us next, and based on the subtitle am hoping to meet up with Henry and his friends again before too long.
March 5, 2021
I have read a number of books where an old mystery, a cold case, if you like, is solved. Henry Lysyk doesn't mean to solve a mystery. He has enough problems of his own. He was dismissed from his position at the bank for being kind to the customers. Well, the bank didn't put it like that. He is also being divorced, his wife taking up with his former best friend. He is just marking time, and living in a rented apartment in a small building where he hasn't even got to know his neighbours in the other apartments.
That is until his wife's niece, Fred comes to stay. Now Fred is the catalyst. While I thought all the characters were well drawn, I really fell in love with Fred, and I am sure I am not alone.
The writing is clear and concise; the story holds together very well; and even more to my liking the ending is satisfying. There is, however a hint of other books to come. I can't wait.
I had thought of marking the book down to four stars as I find the hospital scene a bit of a problem. No good hospital of my experience has doors on the rooms that can be locked on the inside, and where the evenings are so quiet that people can come and go unchallenged. Why doesn't a nurse come in to check her patient? But never mind. I can see that these circumstances were fairly necessary to the resolution of the plot. Still the it is a bit of a niggle under my skin.
I really highly recommend the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That is until his wife's niece, Fred comes to stay. Now Fred is the catalyst. While I thought all the characters were well drawn, I really fell in love with Fred, and I am sure I am not alone.
The writing is clear and concise; the story holds together very well; and even more to my liking the ending is satisfying. There is, however a hint of other books to come. I can't wait.
I had thought of marking the book down to four stars as I find the hospital scene a bit of a problem. No good hospital of my experience has doors on the rooms that can be locked on the inside, and where the evenings are so quiet that people can come and go unchallenged. Why doesn't a nurse come in to check her patient? But never mind. I can see that these circumstances were fairly necessary to the resolution of the plot. Still the it is a bit of a niggle under my skin.
I really highly recommend the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 22, 2021
There are layers to enjoy in this book. The first is the factual background on which the author based his story. This was fascinating to learn about, and in a world where information is supposed to be at our fingertips, it must haunt the people who try to get to the bottom of this particular cold case. Also, the way that that story unfolded towards the end (in this fictional book) was unexpected. Given the cryptic red herrings dropped along the way, I was extremely sure that things would turn out differently ( Maybe I was right about just one aspect - but on the whole, that wouldn't count).
Then we have the layer of what our lead protagonist is in semi-hiding for. The way things seem to revolve around him and drag him into the narrative was a good way to get a feel for the character. Finally, the emotional and people bonding layers was well done. We have different ways that everyone is part of a found family, and it made the reading easy and smooth.
This is a story of people in hiding for various reasons until someone comes to shake the status quo with disastrous consequences. I do not want to say anything more specific about the storyline because it would probably reveal things that would spoil the reading experience. I am not sure if this is set up to be the first of a series, but if yes, I would definitely revisit this part of Vancouver.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
Then we have the layer of what our lead protagonist is in semi-hiding for. The way things seem to revolve around him and drag him into the narrative was a good way to get a feel for the character. Finally, the emotional and people bonding layers was well done. We have different ways that everyone is part of a found family, and it made the reading easy and smooth.
This is a story of people in hiding for various reasons until someone comes to shake the status quo with disastrous consequences. I do not want to say anything more specific about the storyline because it would probably reveal things that would spoil the reading experience. I am not sure if this is set up to be the first of a series, but if yes, I would definitely revisit this part of Vancouver.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
June 19, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery
Author: Byron TD Smith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
19 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I so enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. I felt a bit sorry for Henry at the beginning; he has a lot of baggage! I would read another book by this author.” Male reader, aged 54
“A complex plot but simple vocabulary results in an accessible and totally absorbing read. The author´s strongest skill is his character work. They jump of the page. Loved it!” Female reader, aged 37
“It´s not often an accountant is the hero of a novel. Very original! I liked that.” Female reader, aged 61
“This is a solid mystery with plenty of drama and lots of secrets for the protagonist (and the readers) to uncover. The author excels in developing his characters in a natural and unforced way. The historical element of the crime worked particularly well. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy crime novels with strong characterisation.” Female reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A cleverly plotted mystery with a memorable protagonist leading the charge! A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery
Author: Byron TD Smith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
19 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I so enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. I felt a bit sorry for Henry at the beginning; he has a lot of baggage! I would read another book by this author.” Male reader, aged 54
“A complex plot but simple vocabulary results in an accessible and totally absorbing read. The author´s strongest skill is his character work. They jump of the page. Loved it!” Female reader, aged 37
“It´s not often an accountant is the hero of a novel. Very original! I liked that.” Female reader, aged 61
“This is a solid mystery with plenty of drama and lots of secrets for the protagonist (and the readers) to uncover. The author excels in developing his characters in a natural and unforced way. The historical element of the crime worked particularly well. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy crime novels with strong characterisation.” Female reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A cleverly plotted mystery with a memorable protagonist leading the charge! A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
April 7, 2021
I received a copy of this for free.
This was really easy to get through, but I didn't find it THAT thrilling. There is some action though. I felt it was more of a ''cozy'' mystery a lot of the time, and I actually think this would be appropriate for teenagers to read if they like crime thrillers (that can often have some inappropriate themes). I guess because of the main characters. You have these three people who are very different, so I think many could relate to one of them. It's cool that the author mixed in an actual real-life event into this.
This was really easy to get through, but I didn't find it THAT thrilling. There is some action though. I felt it was more of a ''cozy'' mystery a lot of the time, and I actually think this would be appropriate for teenagers to read if they like crime thrillers (that can often have some inappropriate themes). I guess because of the main characters. You have these three people who are very different, so I think many could relate to one of them. It's cool that the author mixed in an actual real-life event into this.
January 24, 2022
This a a mystery based around the Cooper heist of which many have been fascinated [I don't know why] actually well written with interesting characters & lots of ups, down & mysteries.
September 4, 2021
I have it as 4.75 stars, but decided to round up to 5 stars on the Goodreads system
Warning: I use absolutely and love a ridiculous amount of times in my review, but each one is deserved.
Windfall is a mystery novel inspired by the true event of DB Cooper's heist/hijacking that remains unsolved. Henry has recently undergone multiple life altering events that make him retreat. He's accidently thrown into the middle of a high stakes situation that puts the lives of his niece and his new neighbors in danger. With the help of his niece and neighbors, they race to solve the old mystery that has resurfaced before it's too late.
I was lucky enough to receive a free copy from Goodreads/the author, so not sure if my edition is for the par. But, oh my gosh! IT IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! I am a sucker for books that authors put so much attention to the presentation of their books. First off, it has a beautiful cover/dust jacket that is so very soft to the touch (I think it's matte). So the book feels so luxurious. The red color scheme with the origami twenty dollar bill is oh so eye pleasing. And as if that wasn't already amazing, then you take off the dust jacket and (excuse my language) orgasm at the even more gorgeous hardcover! The blue cover with the full blown up blueprint of a Boeing 727 will surely make you squeal in delight. You should be squealing right now. And it was matte too!! I have never been more in love with a cover. Oh and the cherry on top. Yes, there's more! On the inside panel of the dust jacket, there is a beautiful rendition of a luggage tag for the flight of the hijacking. And wait for it. IT TURNS INTO A BOOKMARK! Yeah you can tell how excited this book made me. Okay now to the actual story.
I absolutely enjoyed the characters! From the main little group that tries to solve the mystery, Henry (the down on his luck man who had his life turned on its head), his adorable niece, Frieda, that loves adventure and her uncle, and Tess, his upstairs comic book illustrator neighbor, to all the other supporting characters. Byron does a great job fleshing out such interesting and endearing characters that draw you in. I would love to see these characters caught up in another mystery. The pure wholesome love between Henry and his niece Fred is absolutely charming. I loved their relationship. And Tess' blossoming relationship with Henry was also sweet. I love how such a strong character Tess and all the women are in this story. Although, there were a few times that Tess' impulsive reactions contradicted with her insistence to keep Fred safe. There were times where she admonished Henry for putting Fred in harm's way while she herself did so as well, and often caved into letting Fred tag along. Oh! Plus Shima! I mean who doesn't love a cat that crawls thru the walls to visit your neighbors in the building?!
The shady character of Keller was another character well done. His unpredictable nature kept me on the edge of my seat as the climax progressed. And I thought the way how his character was handle by the author was well done. Readers were reminded thru Henry teaching Fred a lesson that we shouldn't criminalize people with mental health issues and instead give them the help they need. This was a such a shining moment for me. That punishment and revenge were not shoved down our throats, as they usually are in other novels, towards the "villain" and instead support and forgiveness was championed. I think this will help translate to the real world and help readers have more compassion and empathy towards others.
The mystery was so much fun as it slowly unraveled. I didn't think I would have much interest in a hijacking of a plane and missing thousands of dollars as much as I was. Throughout the story, little pieces of the puzzle were resolved and sometimes even new surprises were unveiled like Bernadette's background. The pacing was great, so I never felt like it dragged on. Plus I couldn't believe this was based on a true event. The afterword gave more insight into the actual event and how Byron incorporated little details into his story. It gave me a much better appreciation of the story. Plus, there's even links included if you want to go down the rabbit hole yourself for Cooper's heist.
This is an absolutely stellar debut novel! I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start. I can't wait to read more works from Byron. Hopefully some include these precious characters I have come to adore. Definitely recommend this for everyone! It has everything you could want in a novel: endearing characters, mystery, high stakes, an old true heist/ransom, secrets, explosions, good lessons, wholesomeness, and an adorable cat!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Goodreads. This didn't have any influence on my opinion, and I gave my honest thoughts.
Warning: I use absolutely and love a ridiculous amount of times in my review, but each one is deserved.
Windfall is a mystery novel inspired by the true event of DB Cooper's heist/hijacking that remains unsolved. Henry has recently undergone multiple life altering events that make him retreat. He's accidently thrown into the middle of a high stakes situation that puts the lives of his niece and his new neighbors in danger. With the help of his niece and neighbors, they race to solve the old mystery that has resurfaced before it's too late.
I was lucky enough to receive a free copy from Goodreads/the author, so not sure if my edition is for the par. But, oh my gosh! IT IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! I am a sucker for books that authors put so much attention to the presentation of their books. First off, it has a beautiful cover/dust jacket that is so very soft to the touch (I think it's matte). So the book feels so luxurious. The red color scheme with the origami twenty dollar bill is oh so eye pleasing. And as if that wasn't already amazing, then you take off the dust jacket and (excuse my language) orgasm at the even more gorgeous hardcover! The blue cover with the full blown up blueprint of a Boeing 727 will surely make you squeal in delight. You should be squealing right now. And it was matte too!! I have never been more in love with a cover. Oh and the cherry on top. Yes, there's more! On the inside panel of the dust jacket, there is a beautiful rendition of a luggage tag for the flight of the hijacking. And wait for it. IT TURNS INTO A BOOKMARK! Yeah you can tell how excited this book made me. Okay now to the actual story.
I absolutely enjoyed the characters! From the main little group that tries to solve the mystery, Henry (the down on his luck man who had his life turned on its head), his adorable niece, Frieda, that loves adventure and her uncle, and Tess, his upstairs comic book illustrator neighbor, to all the other supporting characters. Byron does a great job fleshing out such interesting and endearing characters that draw you in. I would love to see these characters caught up in another mystery. The pure wholesome love between Henry and his niece Fred is absolutely charming. I loved their relationship. And Tess' blossoming relationship with Henry was also sweet. I love how such a strong character Tess and all the women are in this story. Although, there were a few times that Tess' impulsive reactions contradicted with her insistence to keep Fred safe. There were times where she admonished Henry for putting Fred in harm's way while she herself did so as well, and often caved into letting Fred tag along. Oh! Plus Shima! I mean who doesn't love a cat that crawls thru the walls to visit your neighbors in the building?!
The shady character of Keller was another character well done. His unpredictable nature kept me on the edge of my seat as the climax progressed. And I thought the way how his character was handle by the author was well done. Readers were reminded thru Henry teaching Fred a lesson that we shouldn't criminalize people with mental health issues and instead give them the help they need. This was a such a shining moment for me. That punishment and revenge were not shoved down our throats, as they usually are in other novels, towards the "villain" and instead support and forgiveness was championed. I think this will help translate to the real world and help readers have more compassion and empathy towards others.
The mystery was so much fun as it slowly unraveled. I didn't think I would have much interest in a hijacking of a plane and missing thousands of dollars as much as I was. Throughout the story, little pieces of the puzzle were resolved and sometimes even new surprises were unveiled like Bernadette's background. The pacing was great, so I never felt like it dragged on. Plus I couldn't believe this was based on a true event. The afterword gave more insight into the actual event and how Byron incorporated little details into his story. It gave me a much better appreciation of the story. Plus, there's even links included if you want to go down the rabbit hole yourself for Cooper's heist.
This is an absolutely stellar debut novel! I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start. I can't wait to read more works from Byron. Hopefully some include these precious characters I have come to adore. Definitely recommend this for everyone! It has everything you could want in a novel: endearing characters, mystery, high stakes, an old true heist/ransom, secrets, explosions, good lessons, wholesomeness, and an adorable cat!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Goodreads. This didn't have any influence on my opinion, and I gave my honest thoughts.
March 14, 2021
Crime fiction is probably one of the most interesting genres when it comes to books, and I always find myself always getting hooked because of the mystery it offers. Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery by Byron T.D. Smith is one of the books that made me feel intrigued from first up to the last chapter. I especially love the main character Henry Lysyk. His narrative is amazing and well-written.
The writing style of Byron T.D. Smith is also great that I found myself getting glued up to the character's narrative. The plotline is also good, but if there's anything that is lacking I think it was the fact that the revelation seemed not strong enough. I was looking for a more intense twist. But over all, it was a great crime fiction mystery book and it was unique on its own. I haven't read a book similar to this story so great job to the author who made a really different plot!
The writing style of Byron T.D. Smith is also great that I found myself getting glued up to the character's narrative. The plotline is also good, but if there's anything that is lacking I think it was the fact that the revelation seemed not strong enough. I was looking for a more intense twist. But over all, it was a great crime fiction mystery book and it was unique on its own. I haven't read a book similar to this story so great job to the author who made a really different plot!
March 5, 2021
A thoroughly engrossing take on a true event.
The author builds the main characters convincingly. I soon felt I knew them and sympathized with Henry's situation. The life of a normal but decent man turned upside down by the loss of his job and his wife got me on his side. Making the best of things an unwelcome bad guy intrudes into his already broken world.
Great dialogue holds you in. Some of the character description is wonderful. 'Benhams hair was nearly gone, except for wisps over his ears. His eyebrows forests of white gray and black that had grown out of control, hairs curling back on themselves.'
I found it totally absorbing as the tale unfolds amongst the developing relationship of Henry, his niece Frieda and Tess who you sense might infuse some romance into the menace.
The hospital scene towards the end I found particularly exciting.
The author builds the main characters convincingly. I soon felt I knew them and sympathized with Henry's situation. The life of a normal but decent man turned upside down by the loss of his job and his wife got me on his side. Making the best of things an unwelcome bad guy intrudes into his already broken world.
Great dialogue holds you in. Some of the character description is wonderful. 'Benhams hair was nearly gone, except for wisps over his ears. His eyebrows forests of white gray and black that had grown out of control, hairs curling back on themselves.'
I found it totally absorbing as the tale unfolds amongst the developing relationship of Henry, his niece Frieda and Tess who you sense might infuse some romance into the menace.
The hospital scene towards the end I found particularly exciting.
March 10, 2021
A Lovely Story
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I especially enjoyed Mr Smith's way of forming his sentences. None of the terse, barely understandable, clipped sentences that belong in the realm of people existing in another dimension. Each sentence was clear, explicit and enjoyable. The story was heartwarming and very interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I especially enjoyed Mr Smith's way of forming his sentences. None of the terse, barely understandable, clipped sentences that belong in the realm of people existing in another dimension. Each sentence was clear, explicit and enjoyable. The story was heartwarming and very interesting.
January 11, 2021
Henry is not in a good place right now as he has lost his job at the bank when they caught making clients aware that the bank was calling due their loans and how the clients could prevent it. He has lost his wife to one of his best friends and now he is living in a new apartment. The one shining light is his relationship with his niece but it is really his ex-wifes niece. Things start to get interesting when his niece catches a strange man in the building along with the fact that crossword puzzle keeps disappearing from his paper. We find that there are interesting things with who owns this building and what or who this strange man is looking for. Albeit that this is a work of fiction it has tie to real world events concerning a real world event. This provides an interesting twist on what happens. This a good read that does well to hold your attention all the way through so give it a read.
May 13, 2021
For a first book, this was a great read. I rarely make it to 5 stars but this author is now on my must read very book written list.
An interesting storyline is woven around some historical facts, with believable and empathetic main characters.
Looking forward to the next one.
An interesting storyline is woven around some historical facts, with believable and empathetic main characters.
Looking forward to the next one.
February 23, 2021
Engaging mystery, artfully crafted
Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery by Byron T.D. Smith is a fantastic read! The beginning creeps out in confusing bits and pieces as Smith varies POV and switches from the 1970s to the current day. Hang in there, though; it's worth it. A strange cast of characters unfolds, each with believable motives and individual flaws.
A man, named "Cheshire" by the author to describe the character's wide mouth, meets up with a young man in a pawn shop. We get the sense that a great treasure is about to be revealed. This is true, but the treasure is the last chapter.
Smith's writing is good and strong. Only in one spot did he seem to trip over punctuation in dialogue between unidentified speakers. (The same person speaks two times in a row, but it's punctuated as if the speaker had changed.) His descriptions are great, like this passage: "He pulled the newspaper apart and chose the Sports section to roll up and begin batting at the column of ants....Recycling the speckled pages, he sorted through the remaining sections for the crossword."
I appreciate that he used the modern "flight attendant" even when referring to 1971. In the Pacific Northwest.... Read the book to get the rest of the story. Me, I'm looking forward to the next one!
Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery by Byron T.D. Smith is a fantastic read! The beginning creeps out in confusing bits and pieces as Smith varies POV and switches from the 1970s to the current day. Hang in there, though; it's worth it. A strange cast of characters unfolds, each with believable motives and individual flaws.
A man, named "Cheshire" by the author to describe the character's wide mouth, meets up with a young man in a pawn shop. We get the sense that a great treasure is about to be revealed. This is true, but the treasure is the last chapter.
Smith's writing is good and strong. Only in one spot did he seem to trip over punctuation in dialogue between unidentified speakers. (The same person speaks two times in a row, but it's punctuated as if the speaker had changed.) His descriptions are great, like this passage: "He pulled the newspaper apart and chose the Sports section to roll up and begin batting at the column of ants....Recycling the speckled pages, he sorted through the remaining sections for the crossword."
I appreciate that he used the modern "flight attendant" even when referring to 1971. In the Pacific Northwest.... Read the book to get the rest of the story. Me, I'm looking forward to the next one!
June 17, 2021
original, enjoyable and very well written. A cozy and relaxed read. It's hard to find mystery titles that are different from the rest, this is definitely one of those hard finds. The historical tones are great!
October 24, 2021
Kudos, sir!
Impressive first novel! Consistent and credible characters, natural-sounding dialogue, and a believable plot that moved right along. The house itself almost seemed to be a character. I was intrigued by the possibilities offered by basing the mystery on an actual event, and was impressed by the skill with which the author made use of that event.
Impressive first novel! Consistent and credible characters, natural-sounding dialogue, and a believable plot that moved right along. The house itself almost seemed to be a character. I was intrigued by the possibilities offered by basing the mystery on an actual event, and was impressed by the skill with which the author made use of that event.
May 17, 2021
I was given 'Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery' by Byron T.D. Smith with the understanding that I would give this book an honest review. Here are my thoughts. Henry Lysyk"s story started out with a bang, a bang on a pawn shop keepers head that is. Well that got my attention. Henry is a well meaning bank administrator who helped many small businesses in his area while possibly breaking a law or two. As a result of his actions at the bank he lost his job. While down and out Henry moved to a boarding house and that is where the mystery began. The boarding house tenants noticed a man was lurking around their home so they all set out to do some sleuthing. The mystery and action keeps going throughout this book. I would recommend 'Windfall: A Henry Lysyk Mystery' to anyone who likes a good mystery story. This book is a fictional story based on true events which happened in 1971 concerning a hijacked plane and millions of missing dollars. In real life the crime was never solved.
February 16, 2021
This book was given to me to review in advance of publication and I am delighted to leave an honest review.
This book was fun to read and I quickly became engaged with the characters. The central character, self absorbed Henry, finds himself renting a small appartment after the failure of his marriage and loss of his financial job. After several months of living at his new address he hasn't met his 3 neighbours or got to know the neighbourhood.
One evening whilst texting friends and family, the texts get mixed up and Henry ends up unwittingly agreeing to his 13 year old neice Fred coming to stay. An encounter with a stranger hanging around the apartment building leads to Fred becoming introduced to comic book Illustrator neighbour, Tess. The friendship grows and Henry also begins to enjoy the company of Tess along with neighbours Bernadette and Mr Benham.
When Mr Benham is attacked, it becomes apparent the unwelcome stranger is probably the perpetrator, and was clearly looking for something in the apartment. Fred gets involved in following the stranger and finds documents which give clues to what he may be looking for. All the neighbours work together to solve the mystery, whilst the stranger continues with determination to find what he came looking for.
The book is detailed enough to keep the reader interested, and has a light and fun overview. An enjoyable novel with lots of twists and turns.
I was also really intrigued to find the author had taken inspiration for the story from a true life unsolved crime and provides links to additional reading.
This book was fun to read and I quickly became engaged with the characters. The central character, self absorbed Henry, finds himself renting a small appartment after the failure of his marriage and loss of his financial job. After several months of living at his new address he hasn't met his 3 neighbours or got to know the neighbourhood.
One evening whilst texting friends and family, the texts get mixed up and Henry ends up unwittingly agreeing to his 13 year old neice Fred coming to stay. An encounter with a stranger hanging around the apartment building leads to Fred becoming introduced to comic book Illustrator neighbour, Tess. The friendship grows and Henry also begins to enjoy the company of Tess along with neighbours Bernadette and Mr Benham.
When Mr Benham is attacked, it becomes apparent the unwelcome stranger is probably the perpetrator, and was clearly looking for something in the apartment. Fred gets involved in following the stranger and finds documents which give clues to what he may be looking for. All the neighbours work together to solve the mystery, whilst the stranger continues with determination to find what he came looking for.
The book is detailed enough to keep the reader interested, and has a light and fun overview. An enjoyable novel with lots of twists and turns.
I was also really intrigued to find the author had taken inspiration for the story from a true life unsolved crime and provides links to additional reading.
February 15, 2021
A great mystery that grabbed my attention right away. The author even weaves a true life mystery into the lives of a cast of characters that all seem to have things they may be hiding. Henry finds himself at a difficult junction in life. While doing what he believed to be in the best interests for his clients, the corporation (bank) has fired him for what they considered not to be in the best interests of the bank. Henry finds himself living in a run down apartment in a run down neighborhood. He also finds that his new neighbors are quite interesting, and perhaps, there are things going on that need closer inspection. To Henry's delight, he finds himself spending time with his ex-wife's niece, a young woman who also keeps Henry and his neighbors on their toes. When a strange man is seen in the building, it causes a stir among the tenants. And is the stranger the person who Henry believes is stealing the crossword puzzles from his newspaper? Is this stranger more than just a crossword thief or is something more sinister in the works? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 16, 2021
I loved this book and had difficulty in putting it down. Henry Lysyk is divorced, former banker, working part time in a bookstore and depressed, had moved into run down apartment block. His niece Frieda aka Fred aged 13 had been cat sitting for him while he was job hunting and wants tasty with him for a week while her parents are away. Fred sees a strange creepy man in the apartment block and gets worried so seeks help from a neighbour. This sets off a chain of events in finding out who he is and it turns out they do not know who owns the apartment block and nobody has ever seen the owner. The strange man is watching them and nobody knows what he is up to. Fred follows him anti is a mystery that Henry, Fred and an upstair neighbour Tess, solves the mystery. The book is based on a factual event and includes encounters with the Police, a budding romance, a murder. Bryan has skilfully weaved in the facts around his characters. There is a lot of action with mystery. It is book that can be read by anybody over the age of about 10 upwards
February 19, 2021
An enthralling mystery novel
Another mystery series worth reading. Byron TD Smith introduces his fist book in the mystery series called “Windfall” which is a truly absorbing novel. Henry Lysyk has a troubled life and he finds himself in a crossroad: he must act to protect his life and his niece but at the same time solve a case.
The plot is so compelling and enthralling that I couldn´t stop reading and making connections in my mind while I was reading. What is interesting about it is that the past and the present intertwined in the story and made everything more mysterious. It is a well-written and well-plotted novel so, for this reason, I thoroughly recommend it.
Another mystery series worth reading. Byron TD Smith introduces his fist book in the mystery series called “Windfall” which is a truly absorbing novel. Henry Lysyk has a troubled life and he finds himself in a crossroad: he must act to protect his life and his niece but at the same time solve a case.
The plot is so compelling and enthralling that I couldn´t stop reading and making connections in my mind while I was reading. What is interesting about it is that the past and the present intertwined in the story and made everything more mysterious. It is a well-written and well-plotted novel so, for this reason, I thoroughly recommend it.
February 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put it down. A clever puzzle-style mystery interwoven with a true event that keeps you guessing until the end. Great characters!
February 18, 2021
In the third person and with dialogues mingled in it, author Byron Smith tells a fantastic story which is a concoction of real life, or a sense of it, and fiction. He has masterfully been able to make me feel as if I was immersed in real-life sequences of events.
Throughout 58 chapters, Smith has displayed a great cast of characters, being Henry the main and most important of all, since the story revolves around him. His life is far from being a normal one, and this fact is what keeps the story flowing.
Easy to follow and with simple grammar and vocabulary, this story has been a great addition to my library. This book is only the first installment in the Henry Lysyk Mystery series and I can’t wait for the following ones to be released
Throughout 58 chapters, Smith has displayed a great cast of characters, being Henry the main and most important of all, since the story revolves around him. His life is far from being a normal one, and this fact is what keeps the story flowing.
Easy to follow and with simple grammar and vocabulary, this story has been a great addition to my library. This book is only the first installment in the Henry Lysyk Mystery series and I can’t wait for the following ones to be released
February 18, 2021
Good mystery novel
Byron TD Smith is the author of this gripping mystery book, where he tells the story of an accountant called Harry. Harry’s past is haunting him down and his present feels like a tragedy.
During times of chaos, he receives an unexpected visit from his niece, who is thirsty for adventure. He has a mystery to solve and too much pressure and responsibilities to cope with.
Even though the tale is entertaining, I found it a little bit long. I felt that at times the story just roams about without meaning, and those were the parts I personally found less absorbing. Nonetheless, this is a good story for a short holiday.
Byron TD Smith is the author of this gripping mystery book, where he tells the story of an accountant called Harry. Harry’s past is haunting him down and his present feels like a tragedy.
During times of chaos, he receives an unexpected visit from his niece, who is thirsty for adventure. He has a mystery to solve and too much pressure and responsibilities to cope with.
Even though the tale is entertaining, I found it a little bit long. I felt that at times the story just roams about without meaning, and those were the parts I personally found less absorbing. Nonetheless, this is a good story for a short holiday.
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