#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Murder of Manny Grimes,” BY AUTHOR @ANGELAKAYSBOOKS

• Title:  The Murder of Manny Grimes
• Author: Angela Kay
• File Size: 683 KB
• Print Length: 279 Pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN:
•  Publisher: ThomasMax Publishing
• Publication Date: September 20, 2016
• Sold by:  Amazon Digital Services LLC
•  Language: English
• ASIN: B01LZ829WF
• Formats: Paperback and Kindle
• Goodreads
• Genres: Crime, Murder, Mystery & Suspense

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*

In the Author’s Words:

“When three young boys stumble into Lieutenant Jim DeLong’s life one night during a winter storm, they claim they’ve seen a dead body by the swing sets of the Columbia County Elementary School. After he investigates, DeLong sees no evidence, not even a body. But were the boys telling the truth?

With the help of his oldest friend and mentor, former Naval investigator Russ Calhoun, DeLong sets out to find whether Manny Grimes is alive or dead. The further away he gets to the bottom of the mystery, the closer he comes to realize that his own life is falling apart.

Delving deeper into the murder of Manny Grimes, Lieutenant DeLong begins to unravel, losing his sense of control, falling into old temptations he spent years to overcome. Will he be able to move past his own demons and untangle the web of lies before it’s too late? “

My Recommendation:

The Murder of Manny Grimes is Angela Kay’s debut novel and it is a good one! I like strong characters in a novel and both Lieutenant Jim DeLong and former Naval investigator Russ Calhoun fit this bill.

The murder is complicated. After the three boys find the bloody body of Manny Grimes in the snow at their school, they decide to do the right thing and head for the police department to report the crime. When Lt. DeLong investigates the scene, he finds nothing. Either the body has been moved or the boys made up the story. It is an interesting dilemma.

For me, the star of the book is Jim DeLong. His journey to solve the murder of Manny Grimes takes him down a dark path. He is a truly troubled soul dealing with the demons he has allowed to torment him. His marriage is in a shambles, and he is forced to choose between his wife and daughter or to solve this murder. Manny Grimes’ death has become his compulsion. He can’t turn away from the problem.

On top of that, people he has known for years aren’t who they seem to be anymore. This forces DeLong to grapple with issues of betrayal and to face up to his own problems. The mystery actually forces DeLong to become a better man.

If you like the kind of mystery that takes you through some twists and turns, you will enjoy this story. I was even surprised by the ending, although there were a few clues along the way that led me to the killer. I would say it was an entertaining and satisfying novel to read.

 

 

 

 

A true Who Done It?

 

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 4
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 4
Overall Rate: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Author, Angela Kay

About Angela Kay:

Equipped with a professional writing degree from Augusta State University, Angela Kay is a southern lady who spends her days and nights dreaming up new ways to solve dark murders of normal people.

Angela Kay is one of 23 across the United States to win a 2009 playwright contest for her one-act entitled “Digging Deeper.” Because of this, she was able to spend a week in Atlanta at the Horizon Theater Company.

She lives in Augusta, Georgia with her crazy calico, Maggie.

To watch a trailer for “The Murder of Manny Grimes,” click the link below.

You can find Angela Kay on Twitter @AngelaKaysBooks  Facebook at Angela Kay’s Books and her blog Angela Kay’s Books.com

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

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