Cover:
The Story That Had No Beginning
by Daniel Kemp
The author sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars)
Plot
(by Amazon)
Alicia Collinson and her partner, Sir Giles Milton QC have a dinner party to host in the Chelsea home they share, but they are unaware of an extra guest; the ghost of Alicia’s dead twin brother. Alicia poses a surprising question to Sir Giles and their guests:—“Do you think lying is endemic in society today?”
They all have different answers based on their experiences, but what was the purpose of her question and how did her brother die?
| Genre(s): | Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction > British & Irish Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Literary |
| Series: | n.a. |
| Length: | 158 pages |
| Release date: | 2018-05-04 |
Teaser
I discovered in life that it is useless to speculate on what might have been. To want something that has gone is a wasted sentiment, one where grudges wander and despair is only a partially filled glass away. I have, however, nothing else to do than wonder what might have been had I found my twin that day in Bishopsgate. Having said that, and although I was not poor, I could not have competed with Mary on a financial footing, nor, it must be said, with the amount of time she did manage to devote to my sister. More importantly than either of those was how she exhibited an extraordinary example of benevolence for Alice to follow, whereas all I could have shown my sister was how to fight…
My Opinion
This story is introduced by Tom Collins. He tells the readers about how he and his twin sister Alice were taken into two different foster homes when they were eight, as well as about the dinner party, hosted by Alicia Collinson – his sister.
With “The Story That Had No Beginning”, Daniel Kemp presents us with a pretty unusual combination of contemporary fiction and mystery. The story is told by Tom’s ghost sometimes in a quite philosophical way. The first chapters may seem a little complicated, due to a multitude of characters, as you learn more about them, the better you get a clear picture. The book comprises interesting turns and has a good flow. Daniel Kemp lets a ghost tell the stories of his sister and of himself, enriching the plotline with surprising insights and food for thought. I was drawn into the story after a few chapters – when I had a basic knowledge of the relevant characters. I could then easily envision the characters and locations. I had a good time reading “The Story That Hand No Beginning”. It is a quite enjoyable read.
This is for you if you like contemporary fiction combined with mystery, surprises, and food for thought.
In brief:
| Cover | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (three stars) |
| Writing | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars) |
| Plot | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars) |
| Characters | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars) |
| Mood | Suspenseful |
| Pace | Steady |
| POV | First person – past tense |
| Language |  (decent enough) |
| Violence | 😳 (scattered scenes, mentions) |
| Sexual content | 😳 (mentions of acts, few details) |
About the author
Daniel Kemp, ex-London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver never planned to be a writer, but after his first novel —The Desolate Garden — was under a paid option to become a $30 million film for five years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company what else could he do?
In May 2018 his book What Happened In Vienna, Jack? became a number one bestseller on four separate Amazon sites: America, UK, Canada and Australia.
Nowadays he is a prolific storyteller and although it’s true to say that he mainly concentrates on what he knows most about; murders laced by the intrigue involving spies, his diverse experience of life shows in the short stories he writes; namely Why: A Complicated Love and the mysteriously titled– “The Story That Had No Beginning”.
He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication, been described as —the new Graham Greene — by a managerial employee of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of signing events, and he has appeared on ‘live’ television.
Connect with the Author:
Website: https://theauthordannykemp.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17257200.Daniel_Kemp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielkemp6
Amazon: Daniel Kemp
Amazon: books2read.com/u/3G9QL8
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 “The Story That Had No Beginning”? Or – if you did not yet read “The Story That Had No Beginning” – are you now interested in reading it yourself?
I am looking forward to reading your comments. 🙂
Sounds like my type of. book!
Absolutely. I kept thinking that it might be a book for you, Sandra.
Thank you 🙂