James Polkinghorn
Publisher : Oceanview Publishing (May 16, 2023)
Language : English
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1608095509
ISBN-13 : 978-1608095506
Item Weight : 1.74 pounds
First, his brother, now his mother—Jack Girard searches for the truth behind his family’s tragedies.
When hungover ex-lawyer and Key West bar owner Jack Girard groggily wakes up one morning, he’s greeted by a beautiful woman lying next to him and a shrill, ringing telephone. Seeing the call is from his father, Claude “The Duke” Girard, Jack answers. Within seconds, he learns that his mother is dead in an apparent suicide, and Jack hits the road, heading back to his childhood home in Miami to face his tyrannical father.
The death of his mother brings up haunting memories from Jack’s past—memories of his brother Bobby’s suicide when they were in college together. Being back in Miami only continues to dredge up his family traumas, but things grow more complicated when The Duke suggests that his estranged wife’s alleged suicide may have been a murder.
As Jack begins to uncover the truth about his mother’s death, including the secret she had revealed to only two people—the same secret Bobby had taken with him to his grave—he finds himself in imminent danger. Can Jack reveal the true story before it’s too late? He has to act quickly, or he fears he may be the victim of the next Girard family tragedy.
I received the Advance Readers Edition from FSB Associates
Review: Liquid Shades of Blue
My suspense reading has picked up and I gravitated to this advanced reader copy. I am not one that likes to give much away in a suspense read. But I will tell you that the title and the character-building worked for me.
Polkinghorn takes us to scenes that remind us we all have the potential to be vulnerable and I like that he immediately makes me feel uncomfortable if not queasy.
This plot provides many family situations that create stress and crises. Amongst other storylines is that of coping with the grief of suicide.
Polkinghorn placed the protagonists in a dilemma early on that would have many readers questioning what they would do if faced with similar circumstances.
Readers soon learn they are at the center of a complex story that deals with criminal activity, missing persons, death under questionable circumstances, and a host of human rights issues.
The similes throughout the read were superb as was the selection of musical artists and song. The conversational tone on how to select or not select a juror was enlightening and I liked the correlation between memories that are clear and those that are fading in Liquid Shades of Blue.
About Author James Polkinghorn