Sunday, December 14, 2008

A Jolly Good Read!


I just finished reading A Jolly Good Fellow by Stepehn V. Masse and it was a fun and unexpected read. It is well written and it is most deserving of it's Silver Medal from Independent Publisher Awards.

The book cover states:
Two weeks before Christmas, Duncan Wagner gets into his car for another attempt at kidnapping the son of his most despised enemy, State Representative Win Booker. When he drives into the wealthy Boston suburb, he is surprised to find the boy hitchhiking.
So begins Wagner's quest for revenge as he finds himself face to face with a real boy and without a clue about how to run a kidnapping. Wagner, a self styled charity Santa Claus, comes to realize that eleven year old Gabriel Booker is truly a runaway, much more curious than scared. Gabriel has no idea who Duncan Wagner is- or could be.
In an old apartment in downtown Boston, the odd pair makes an unforgettable team, providing each other with what they have been missing in life. Author Stephen V. Masse captures the friendship with a blend of suspense and humor, showing that love is a resource which can bring redemption to the most damaged souls.

This book certainly isn't the typical Christmas story...it reminded me that so many people do not live the typical Hallmark Christmas but rather sad and lonely ones.
A Jolly Good Fellow is a short read that surprises you with it's ending and touches you in it's telling of the relationship that develops between Duncan and the small boy, Gabriel.
I had wished the ending had been different but upon reflection realized it couldn't have ended any better for all characters involved. This is a sweet and sour Christmas story with humorous moments sprinkled throughout while telling the lovely relationship of a young boy and a lonely man during Christmas... and a kidnapping!
This would make a great holiday gift!

11 comments:

Mamahut said...

Can I come live with you? and all of your cool books? That sounds like a good one too! I need to quit doing other stuff like housework and read a good book.

Rhonda said...

You should do this for a living. You give great reviews! Hey! You could be a restaurant critic!!!! Wouldn't THAT be awesome? lol

Ronda's Rants said...

I would rather be a travel critic!!!!
But...a good book is like traveling to a different place and time for me!

Jennifer said...

This does sound like a good one! Thanks for the tip!!

jill jill bo bill said...

That sounds like my kind of book! I will look for it- NO!!! I HAVE to shop for other people! Maybe after Christmas...unless I stumble upon it-No! I must STOP buying for me!!!!

Rachel said...

Sounds like a good read! The main character doesn't really sound like much like a "George Bailey," huh? Great review, too!

Anonymous said...

You mean that's not normal? A good old fashioned Christmas kidnapping???? hahahaha...just kidding people....I've got enough kids at home....I certainly don't need anyone else's.

I'll have to add this to my list of "I swear I'm gonna read that someday". :)

Unknown said...

Great review! I may need to pick this one up.

Diane said...

Sounds good. Your Casino Royale review cracked me up, too!!

Anonymous said...

I admire you for going to such great lengths to provide us with a fantastic book review. thank you.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Another book for my list...!