A plot-driven page-turner

books:


	• The Killing of Strangers Jerry Holt Lucky Press, LLC, 2006 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Thrill Ride in Ohio

My Gosh! Not only does this book have you turning the pages to see what happens next, but it's full of great hardboiled detective stuff, compelling supporting characters (grumpy Vet and bookstore owner Mac and his partner Rita) AND is quotable:

"There are times -- rare ones, but times -- at which an Egg McMuffin looks like the very face of salvation."

The book is lots of fun and yes, scary. Hope to see more of Sam Haggard.

A plot-driven page-turner

Jerry Holt's plot-driven page-turner, The Killing of Strangers (Lucky Press, 2006), is the first book I couldn't put down until I had finished it since Ann Patchett's Bel Canto. As you might expect from the first novel of a heretofore playwright, there is plenty of dialogue. But, if you are familiar with Holt's plays, Rickey, Julia, and Woody, you will not be surprised at its character development and strong sense of place (towns and cities in Ohio) and history (the Vietnam protests of the late sixties). If The Killing of Strangers suffers at all, it may be from too much dialogue, or a few sections where I felt the plot was not being advanced fast enough for my taste. However, I kept turning the pages, which makes me wonder if, perhaps, my impatience was simply that of someone devouring a suspense novel that is craftily building the reader's anticipation of the solution to the puzzle: Was the Kent State massacre part of a government conspiracy that lingers to this day? Which of the shadowy characters that fled the turmoil 25 years before is trying to kill our unwitting protagonist?

I am hopeful that this is just the first in a long line of Jerry Holt thrillers.

Virgil Hervey, Editor
Gunch Press
Yellow Springs, Ohio

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Fun history lesson

The Killing of Strangers is a darn good mystery, chock full of references to the wild and woolly pasts of its characters, of the Kent State community, and, presumably, of many of its readers, as well. I enjoyed the mystery story, though I personally have not been that impressed with hard-drinking he-man protaganists in the past, but lead character Sam Haggard is such a wreck, I could tolerate and even empathize with him, ultimately rooting for his success. A little humility goes a long way, and Holt has no illusions he's a "literary" writer; he's just out to tell us a good tale of a time and place he knows well, with some very finely written descriptions and observations and throw-away lines to let us know he's no hack, either. I appreciated the history of the Kent State era/aura that is not widely published or known, but mostly I loved Holt's wry look at human perseverance and the power of love to reach even the jaded and weary.

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The Killing of Strangers

This was one of the most interesting books I've read in some time. Historically based with a compelling slant. It's an easy read. After reading the book for the first time, I ordered five additional copies from Amazon to give to family and friends. Pick-up this book and read it. You'll find that you will be including this as a must gift for the special people in your world!

Awesome Book

This really was a page turner. Easy book to read, went fast. Finished in 2 days. I would recommend it to anyone. I hope Jerry Holt writes another book.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

The Killing of Strangers focuses on a mystery (several mysteries) surrounding the Kent State University shootings, May 4, 1970. The main character gets caught up in the search for an elusive participant and ends up running (from Southern Ohio to Cincinnati, to Columbus) for his life. The book comes to an exciting conclusion in the Hocking Hills area of Southeastern Ohio. Holt's ability to present a variety of characters in all their strengths and weaknesses and set them in an exciting plot in an authentic location results in a book that grips the reader's attention and will surely earn the author many fans.

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