A KEVIN R. TIPPLE BOOK REVIEW:
The Last Refuge by Chris Knopf
Word of mouth is the way one gets sales in
this business. Advertising is way overrated and what really
will sell books is word of mouth. It goes the other way too
which is how Chris Knopf found me. He offered his books for
review and asked me to take a look. I was interested, found
them at my local library, and said yes quickly. I’m glad I did as the first book was very good
and I am looking forward to reading the sequel “Two Time” which
will be reviewed here in our next issue. In the meantime, take
a look below and then go find his book because Chris Knopf is
an author worth reading.
The Last Refuge
By Chris Knopf
The Permanent Press
http://www.thepermanentpress.com
2005
ISBN #1-57962-118-X
Hardback
287 Pages
Sam Acquillo is a man living a very modest
life in his deceased parent’s small cottage in the Oak Point area of Southampton,
Long Island. The view from his small home is mainly of the Little
Peconic Bay which is perfect for long stretches of contemplative
drinking. He lives there year around, drives his Dad’s
67 Pontiac Grand Prix when he needs to go somewhere and basically
just hangs out with Eddie his dog. Divorced, he has cut himself
off from all human contact as much as possible and for the most
part lives as a recluse.
Like his father, he has continued to help
out his cantankerous neighbor, Regina Broadhurst. Like Sam,
she is a bitter pill to swallow and he doesn’t really know why he helps her out
when she needs it from time to time other than she expects it
and it is a family tradition. Upon finding her body, he offers
to those in charge his help in settling her estate and finding
what may be left of her family. In so doing, his assistance begins
to grate, not that he cares a bit, as questions arise not only
regarding the nature of her death but also regarding her estate.
Sam really doesn’t care that he is annoying unknown parties
who might choose to finally eliminate him and his questions to
solve their mounting problems.
With a cast of memorable characters and a burned out hero, the
result is a very good read. Much like the muscle car Sam drives;
this novel rumbles along on all cylinders and flattens anything
that gets in its way. The characters involved are complex and
in no way stereotypical and the tale itself, like those involved,
is very complex and twisting. Then there is the fact that we,
as readers, have just scratched the surface of Sam Acquillo.
A man who does not know himself and readily admits it. It should
be a real treat to watch him as he tries to figure things out
and one wonders if he will have to gut another house to do so.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2007
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