The author sent his novel to me to read and review:
Can an assistant editor of a small town newspaper single handedly solve a murder mystery? Yes he can if he is Mike O’Brien, the Stroh drinking newsman from Gull Haven, Michigan and a cast of one hundred...at least it seemed like that. I’m a believer that up to five main characters per novel makes for a more enjoyable story. When I can remember all the character’s without writing their names down, I’m a happy camper. Steven Arnett, you are a good storyteller but please talk to Cormac McCarthy as soon as you can. And listen, Mike O’Brien doesn’t have to be somewhat infatuated by every woman he meets...does he? The story and plot were good. And while the author’s prose needs to get stronger and more descriptive...it didn’t disrupt the story. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised how effortlessly the story read. Would I have liked some cliffhanger chapter endings? Yes indeedy, but there were none. There was also a general lack of tension and empathy in this novel (that has to change). Okay, enough of my pickiness already...what’s the story about?
A male body washes up on Ashley Beach. Apparently, someone bashed the man on the back of his head with a blunt object before he was thrown overboard and drowned (according to the ensuing autopsy). The victim is Rich Mallon, partygoer and drug dealer, who is sporadically a friend, and sometimes a enemy of Grant Fields, the local drug boss. They were seen arguing on Grant’s sixty foot foot boat the night before. Did Grant have him killed? Newsman Mike O’Brien gets right on the story...“Rich Mallon Found Dead (reads the headline)…Apparently murdered, Wednesday when his body washed up on Ashley Beach. Police and the Lake County Rescue Squad raced to Ashley Beach when a call came in that the body had been spotted, but there was no chance to save Mallon...the exact cause and time of death won’t be known until an autopsy is performed…” Who killed him? As the story continues, the author comes up with quite a few candidates who had good reason to kill Mallon. Part of the fun reading this novel was trying to figure out whodunit. And believe me, the author gives the reader many choices to ponder.
While this was a likable story, it wasn’t as suspenseful as it could have been. I think (that) the author can use this story as a literary introduction for the protagonist of a new series: Mike O’Brien, crusading editor of his own newspaper. Mike O’Brien’s special talent can be in solving mysteries. Clive Cussler has done this very successfully with many different characters, such as Dirk Pitt, Isaac Bell and Juan Cabrillo. But I would suggest to Mr. Arnett that he should read some of Clive Cussler’s works to see how he weaves excitement into his pages. I know that I’ve been highly critical, but it’s for a good reason. The reason is that I think Steven Arnett is capable of doing much better. He knows the storytelling part, just do it with some panache.
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
Comment: The advice I gave Mr. Arnett is easier said than done. How many Clive Cussler-like authors are really out there? A lot more than you would think. Various famous authors have had long runs with the same protagonist. Ian Fleming wrote twelve James Bond novels (since his death, other writers are continuing the Bond stories). Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote nine Sherlock Holmes novels. Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote twenty four Tarzan novels. Stephen King has written eight The Dark Tower novels, featuring his gunslinger.
Now, how about these granddaddies: Edward Stratemeyer’s The Hardy Boys series ran from 1927 to 2005 and produced 190 volumes! Agatha Christie wrote 40 mysteries featuring the famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot (my personal favorite). And finally, Carolyn Keene wrote 56 Nancy Drew mysteries. I think I proved my point...it can be done.
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