The Bone Doll

by David Lee Holcomb

Matt Wheelock and Michelle Lomax find their marriage disintegrating, and they turn to a charismatic philosopher known only as the Teacher for guidance and support. The Teacher, seemingly a man without an identity or even a name, tells them of a sublime universe of mind beyond our own material plane, concealed by the machinations of an unseen conspiracy that benefits from the status quo and will fight to maintain it.

When two of the Teacher’s acolytes die in a very public act of suicide, his odd assortment of disciples find themselves drawn into his world of deception and paranoia. The Teacher and his followers throw themselves into a chaotic trek across Mexico and Central America, running toward a haven that only he knows, and from a threat that only he can identify. Along the way, they all find their most fundamental assumptions about who they are being challenged. Some will return unscathed, others will be changed forever – and some won’t make it back at all.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2022

About the author

After a career as a graphic designer for television news in Birmingham, Fort Lauderdale, and Dallas, David Lee Holcomb now lives in rural northwest Arkansas with his husband, a herd of cats, a few chickens, and that thing in the basement that sings strange songs late at night.

David also plays the saxophone, grows orchids, teaches art, and writes novels. Not necessarily in that order.

Reviews

[Scott Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in awhile an author shows their ability to reach through the pages and transport you directly into the story. With his carefully and thoughtfully crafted prose, David Holcomb did just that. It was evident that every single sentence was carefully constructed as each character materialized and became their own entity. As a reader, I could empathize with the colorful and diversified cast of characters, each with their own distinctive story arc.

The story follows a group of well-meaning people who put their trust in “The Teacher.” After the untimely death of two of their members, the group experiences a bit of paranoia and decides to flee the country and head to South America, attempting to outrun any persecution that might occur (all of which was self perceived). Think road-trip with a cult leader and his disillusioned followers.

For myself at least, the story seems to parallel today’s political climate by which seemingly otherwise normal, well-educated people allow themselves to be bamboozled by a “snake-oil salesman.” The author in my opinion, seemed to assemble a cast of characters that represented a variety of socioeconomic demographics, giving the reader an idea of the many ways people fall into the occult.

Allegory or not, the story is solid, colorful, entertaining, and (most importantly to me) engaging. I found an emotional connection to each of the characters and never felt lost and confused as to who was who.

I highly recommend giving this book a read!

[David Holcomb]

I'd better not rate this one, since I wrote it, but picking it up and reading as a reader, instead of as the author, was a pleasant surprise. The book moves quickly, and is highly visual, loaded with local color and detail. I'd love to hear what other readers have to say about it.

[Jane]

Really enjoyed this. Looked forward to picking it up every evening and immersing myself in the story.