Maelstrom by Francis Guenette

 

The author sent me a copy (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review (member of Rosie’s Book Review Team).

My rating:  5  of  5  stars

Plot
(by Goodreads)

A shot is fired into the still night air and a young woman dies on Suicide Ridge. A dangerous game has begun. Over the course of one blistering, hot week, winds of change sweep through an isolated valley in small town America.

Sheriff Bert Calder, with the help of Mayor Amos Thatcher, has held the town of Haddon under his thumb for twenty-five years. As things spin out of control, Calder works the angles, ensuring he can make the most of the upheaval that is to come.

Rafael Destino, facing his own mortality, races against time to gain control of the railroad – a lifeline essential to the town’s survival. His goal – to financially destroy Thatcher, the man he believes responsible for the death of his beloved sister. His tool – adopted son Myhetta. But how far down the road of revenge will Rafael push the young man who owes him everything?

Myhetta is poised on the edge of controlling Destino Enterprises, the job he has been groomed for. While money, power and influence are his to command, the past continues to torment him.

In a clash of powerful men, with fathers pitted against sons, no one will be left unscathed. Maelstrom is a page turner that speeds along like a runaway train.

 

Genre(s):  Suspense

Series:  n.a.

Length:  479 pages

Release Date:  2015-11-02

 

Teaser

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The sheriff did not pay social calls. But periodically over the years, he had dropped in late at night to speak with Amos. Those visits were harbingers of the gossip that would race like wildfire around the town of Haddon the next day – talk of an accident, a disappearance or a death.

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My Opinion

This book introduces you to a variety of complex characters: some rather harmless, some greedy and dangerous and some downright evil.

With Maelstrom, Francis Guenette has created a thrilling suspense story with local flair. The story comprises a broad variety of believable and pretty complex characters, isolated locations, masterly woven situations and interesting interactions. I had a thrilling time reading Maelstrom – it is a very intriguing read. I was drawn into the story right away, thankfully invisible! It is up to the reader who to trust and who to fear; don’t be afraid of changing your take on things along the way! This is for you if you like thrilling suspense with twists and local flair and situations seemingly to real for comfort.

A suspenseful book to read again – by a writer with a unique writing style.

Recommended!

In brief:

Writing	Great
Plot	Some twists
Mood	Suspenseful
Pace	Steady
Characters	Complex
Violence	Some violence
Sexual content	Some sexual content
POV	Third person

 

About the author

Hi – my name is Fran Guenette and I’m a writer! You can check out my author’s Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/pages/franci… 

I live in a small, off-the-grid cabin in a remote location, right beside a lake. My husband, Bruce and our elderly dog, Lawson keep me company.

Can you imagine a better setting for a writer? I can’t.

We have an alternate power system for our home –a combination of micro-hydro and solar electric panels. I write with a panoramic view of the lake every, single day.

Between May and September, Billy Bob the Bear drops over to graze on the green cover (we don’t have the nerve to call it grass) and eat huckleberries and salal berries. Now and then I spot the tracks of a cougar who has made his way across the property. Life is good here in the hinterlands.

I have a daughter and son – both happily married and pursuing interesting careers. I also have two beautiful and wildly funny granddaughters who constantly provide me with inspiration for writing.

For most of my life I have been an educator of one type or another. I have an MA in counselling psychology and an almost completed PhD in educational psychology. Enough said about that!

If you check out my blog you’ll find out everything you ever might have wanted to know about me – from stories of my journey to self-publish my first novel to what kind of music gets me weepy.

 

Connect with the Author:

Website:  http://disappearinginplainsight.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FrancisGuenette

Amazon:  Francis Guenette

Amazon (US):  buy link

Amazon (UK):  buy link

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Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Maelstrom?  Or – if you did not yet read Maelstrom  – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

My question for you cinephiles:
If Maelstrom was filmed – who should direct it, who could you imagine as actors?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

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Review: Disappearing in Plain Sight