PositiveForeword ReviewsJumping between periods, the novel locates stark contrasts in a country bound by history that also struggles to accept the changes from the outside world. Laws change with speed, including the decriminalization of homosexuality and the legalization of divorce. This results in a complex backdrop for the characters’ struggles ... The fascinating world of the cattle industry is also a factor, with a Mad Cow Disease scare that plays into the story of the Butcher. Written from multiple points of view, the book is populated by colorful local phrases ... Its characters, from the gruff Butcher to a nerdy overachiever, are gritty and believable. As each hurtles toward their destiny, the tension grows; the pieces come together in a conclusion that is brutal yet redemptive.
William Kotzwinkle
RaveForeword Reviews... a wild ride of double-crossing crimes ... This hard-boiled mystery benefits from its frequent injections of humor and its appealing characters, who are never quite what they seem. Tommy’s interior dialogue is entertaining; his struggles to reintegrate with normal life are thought provoking. The book’s numerous subplots include the disappearance of Cheyenne’s husband and old family squabbles. The book’s action is nonstop, and its parts come together near the end. They are resolved in a way that adds to the appeal of Felonious Monk, a character-driven thriller.
Stephen King
PositiveForeword Reviews... a touching story about a boy growing up without a father, and with talents that set him apart from everyone else. It’s also thriller about the darkness that lies under the surface of everyday life. Its characters, from Jamie’s hard-drinking, curse-prone, yet affectionate mother Tia to wise-cracking, innocent, and good-hearted Jamie, brim with life, while mentions of television shows and other pop culture from the mid-2000s set a colorful atmosphere ... a satisfying tale about facing demons—both those we can see and those that lurk in the darkness.
