If You're Reading This, I'm Already Dead. - Andrew Nicoll

Synopsis: Sitting in his caravan, drinking what is left of his coffee (dust), Otto has narrowly escaped death at the hands of allied bombs. Convinced his luck has run out and he will not see morning, he decides to record the story of his life for the poor soul who finds his body.

And what a story it is. Years earlier, when he was in either Buda or Pest, working at the circus, a newspaper article was brought to his attention. Why? Because in it was a picture of a particular Turkish prince, called to Albania to be their new king. And this prince just happens to bear a striking resemblance to Otto.

A plan is formed, adventure is born and with the help of Otto's friends, enemies (and a camel), Albania is about to get a king it never bargained for.

Review

If You Are Reading This, I'm Already Dead, Andrew Nicoll's third novel, is at heart a joyous, rip-roaring romp of a tale, so utterly unbelievable and completely ridiculous that you can't help but be swept along by this sensational story. In many ways, though, this is far from Andrew's tale; it is that of Otto Witte, former talented acrobat, possessor of some simply wonderful whiskers, and King of Albania. All he has now, sat in his little caravan as the bombs fall around him and he awaits his death, is his memories, and a story that he is determined to tell before it is his time to go.

In what can only be described as an outrageous narrative, Otto takes us on his daring, death-defying journey from the life of a circus performer in Buda or Pest - in his old age he can't seem to remember - to the throne of Albania. It is a decision based on a whim; a photo that looks exactly like him, but surely not enough to pack up, steal a camel and a cash box, and depart from town? Apparently so, as this is exactly what he does. Sensing adventure, his friends agree to accompany him on his crazy quest; even if some are more reluctant than others.

A blind, intelligent professor; his beautiful daughter Sarah; the wild, provocative character of Tifty; Otto's best friend Max, strong as an ox and as loyal as they come. Let's not forget the camel, of course. Nicoll creates a wonderful web of characters that will help Otto on his ludicrous quest, seemingly destined to end in failure. From duelling with a maniac named Varga, who first arrests them and takes an unwelcome fancy to his best friend, to a shouting match with a stationmaster, based on impulse and improvisation. Otto reminisces of the past as the ash blows down from the sky and the flames flicker outside his home.

Otto knows he has precious little time left, and is brutally honest in his anecdotes, bringing a mixture of colourful language and many boastful hints at his youthful adventures with the ladies. Otto, ultimately, is an endearing character; the reader feels for him as he sits alone, a former shadow of his once illustrious self, and nearing death. This for me is what makes Nicoll's novel a marvellous creation: the blend of humour and of humility that is shown as the narrative switches between his previous life and the one he suffers in now.

Nicoll's writing is captivating; he engages the reader and makes you feel like your part of the journey. Swept up with Otto's journey, the incredulity that you feel at such a preposterous tale is soon forgotten as you get caught up in the vivid picture Otto, and thus Nicoll, creates. From boisterous brass bands to the strange and mysterious Arbuthnot, Otto and his friends must face many obstacles if they are to achieve the impossible aim of conquering Albania.

Then again, with a camel in tow, it should be a breeze.
 
4/5.

The Good Father. - Noah Hawley

Synopsis:
 
Dr Paul Allen is a well-respected man. He lives a comfortable life with his second wife and their family. Until the night when a knock at the door blows his world apart: a hugely popular presidential candidate has been shot, and they say the young man who pulled the trigger is Paul’s son. Daniel, the only child from his first, failed marriage, was always a good kid and Paul is convinced his quiet boy is not capable of murder. Overwhelmed by a vortex of feelings, Paul embarks on a mission to understand what happened and why. Following the trail of his son’s journey across America, he is forced to re-examine his life as a husband and a parent, and every decision he ever made.

Review

Have you ever had the sense that you truly know someone? The belief that you can identify with them deep down: their every thought and feeling. Then, in another instant the certainty is shattered, replaced by the realisation that you never knew them at all. Instead, that what you took to be a connection, an understanding, was you convincing yourself that all was well; the delusion that the relationship you held was one that was infallible.

As Dr Paul Allen lives carefree in the unspoiled happiness of his life – a perfect job, a wonderful second wife and two kids – his world is suddenly turned upside down by the arrival of the news that his son has murdered the potentially future president of the United States. Paul strives to understand what has happened, refusing to entertain the idea that his son has carried out these acts. He will go to extraordinary lengths, as far as it takes to try to prove his son’s innocence, but as events unfold and the thread which holds his comfortable lifestyle together starts to unravel, Paul must face the grim reality and make some important decisions.

Noah Hawley’s novel The Good Father is at the centre a story about journeys: a young man on a quest for identity and meaning, sprawling across the states of America, wandering aimlessly in an effort to find some answers about who he is; unable to throw of the chains of restraint clamped on him from a chaotic childhood. A father who frantically follows in race against time; his once rational, scientific mind reduced to theories and conspiracies in an effort to ignore the truth: that he was never quite the father his son needed. As a doctor he has learned to be objective, to break down the facts methodically, logically; to be emotionally detached. Yet as we all know, sometimes the emotions of the heart leave one unable to accept what is often staring you right in the face.

From a farm in Iowa, home to nice parents who are willing to give a young man a chance, to the college dorms of alcohol-drinking, drug-taking students, Hawley takes us on a sweeping journey through the United States, painting a picture with the endless pit of different characters that he has to offer. Interspersed within the plot, the author presents us with a wealth of knowledge: from information on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, to the exploits of other famous killers such as Charles Manson – facts both fascinating and thought-provoking. His writing is at times heart-wrenching, always utterly compelling, and ultimately Hawley leaves the reader asking questions about themselves and the type of person they really are.

5/5.

Lease of Life

Written in May 2012, the month I decided to start making a conscious effort to write more again.

Lease of Life

Darkness dominates the tempestuous sky

As I prepare to face another wordless day

I grind my teeth, slice open another vein,

Wistful, I dream of another way

I tear the page with silent screams,

Not a single word will spill from this pen

The entire world becomes a stage,

It plays with the hearts of men

In my hand liquid swirls inside the glass,

A whirlpool of dejection and remorse

The surface disturbed by a single splash,

A solitary tear its fateful source

Somewhere distant a bird begins to sing

As I raise my head from the ground below

The beat of my heart in time with the song,

The winds of creativity begin to blow

Dark clouds shaken, torn from the sky

Rays of frantic hope illuminate the land

The intensity builds, I have been reborn,

Once more these words I shall command

A soft smile flutters across my face,

The glass of woe replaced by the pen

That dreadful wound begins to close,

I shall craft these words once again

© Ben Johnson 2012.

Lethal. - Sandra Brown

Synopsis:
 
When her four-year-old daughter informs her a sick man is in their yard, Honor Gillette rushes out to help him. But that ‘sick’ man turns out to be Lee Coburn, the man accused of murdering seven people the night before. Dangerous, desperate, and armed, he promises Honor that she and her daughter won’t be hurt as long as she does everything he asks. She has no choice but to accept him at his word.

But Honor soon discovers that those close to her can’t be trusted. Coburn claims that her beloved late husband possessed something extremely valuable that places Honor and her daughter in grave danger. And Coburn is there to retrieve it – at any cost.

Review

A web of lies that runs deep through a family and their immediate friends. Corruption that runs deep through the police, the sheriff’s office, even the FBI. A man on the run after escaping a warehouse where he is alleged to have murdered seven people in cold blood. A four-year-old girl and her mother caught up in a whirlwind of death and deceit. An elusive, mysterious criminal mastermind called The Bookkeeper who presides over all, turning the screws in the grand plan.

From the moment Honor Gillette rushes outside to help a sick man, instead to find a gun pointed at her chest, the reader knows they are in for something special. Honor finds herself unable to trust anyone, even those around her, as she works to unravel the mysteries of her husband Eddie’s death. Coburn is menacing and ruthless, tearing apart their idyllic family lifestyle and their home to pieces – stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. Yet there is something more to this man that meets the eye and Honor soon starts to realise not everything is as it seems.

To find answers hidden by a dead man would be difficult enough, but the job becomes a whole lot tougher when you are on the run, with nowhere to hide. Doral Hawkins, tough guy and city manager searches tirelessly, while Stan Gillette – Honor’s father-in-law and ex-marine – will stop at nothing to make sure his family is found safe. It seems everyone is on their tail, as Coburn tries to remain one step ahead of the law enforcements. Then there is The Bookkeeper, the thread which weaves the characters together, remaining in the shadows, not afraid to give the order to kill in order to tie up the loose ends.

The author takes us on a sprawling journey of love and of death from a dirty swamp and a decrepit boat that threatens to sink into the muddy marshes at any given time, to an abandoned train track where an explosive meeting threatens to ruin everything they have worked towards. Stolen kisses in the midst of danger, a young man who stalks the streets with his razor in hand and a history that shows he is not afraid to use it. It seems Honor must remain faithful to her instincts, if she is to see this one through to the very end.

Sandra Brown’s latest novel is a rip-roaring, turn-pager of a thriller that has you glued to your seat, unable to move until you have seen it through to its conclusion. With twists and turns that continue to the very last page, never accept anything at face value with this intricately written, fiendishly clever tale.

4/5.

Won't Let You Go

Written on the same day as 'Lease of Life', was obviously in an optimistic frame of mind.

Won’t Let You Go

There was always something there,

Though at first we knew not where,

That extra step I should have taken,

I thought I had time, but was mistaken

I lost that chance, I’d given up,

A well run dry, an empty cup,

Against all odds, my fortunes changed,

Contact resumed, those texts exchanged

I soon realised, that this was fate,

Suppose after all, that it wasn’t too late

For us to have, what we had before,

Did I have this chance once more?

The future to all is but a closed book,

But with no more mistakes and a little luck;

I think we will last, because I won’t let go,

Perhaps we’ll be more, you never know

You understand me; not an easy task,

You understand the truth behind this mask

When I’m with you I know my mind’s at ease,

That loving glance, those chances we seize

I think it’s about time to seize the day,

Carpe Diem, my love shall never sway

As the sunshine sets in the cloudless sky,

This is my summer, and I think I know why

© Ben Johnson 2012.

Unititled

Wrote this one in February 2012 after a long break from writing.

Untitled

Frightened hope, ambitious dreams,

Unravelled slowly at the seams,

Loose threads, stilted prose,

Another glass that’s full of woes

Swirling smoke, it curls and climbs

In the distance, a church bell chimes

Faraway voices, jubilant hearts

Gravely ignorant, we all play our parts

Restless nights and weary eyes,

The gentle sound of anxious sighs

Idle liquor, a moonlit stroll,

The endless struggle for control

Constant pain, thoughts conflicted,

A grieved heart, so now inflicted

Neglected caution, foregone care,

Only so much, can one man bear

Another spark, yet darkness persists,

Drifting on upwards, it twirls and it twists

Within a few moments, lost to the clouds,

The poet’s existence, consumed by the crowds

© Ben Johnson 2012.

The Bones of Avignon. - Jefferson Bass

Synopsis: 

It’s the discovery that will make Miranda Lovelady’s career… if she can prove it. And the secret she’s unearthed is enough to convince Doctor Bill Brockton to abandon the Body Farm and fly to Avignon. The medieval city is picturesque, but deadly. When their colleague is found crucified in a ruined chapel, Brockton and Miranda become entangled in a terrifying conspiracy, far bigger than either of them can imagine. For the bones of Jesus of Nazareth would be the find of the millennium.

Review

The Bones of Avignon is the seventh novel in the Body Farm series, and is the most ambitious one to date. The writing partnership that gives its name to ‘Jefferson Bass’, Jon Jefferson – veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker – and Dr Bill Bass, a world-famous forensic archaeologist, is a fantastic collaboration, producing a wonderful blend of culture and history, juxtaposed with fiction. The result, it has to be said, is a truly thrilling tale through time.

Dr Bill Brockton, whisked from the routine of the Body Farm, arrives at the ancient city of Avignon, with no clue of what is going on. Not long after, he is wishing he had remained ignorant. Stephen, Miranda’s colleague and old flame, has a discovery which will change everything: bones that will threaten to destroy a secret that has remained hidden for two thousand years.

The reader, through terrific description and a ferociously paced plot, is taken on a sprawling journey; from the hidden dungeons of the Palais de Papes, to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, which holds the infamous Shroud of Turin. We move on a journey with the characters as they strive to answer questions that for a long time have gone unasked. As they attempt to unravel the mysteries, there are those that are determined to stop them; many eyes watch in the shadows of the night, each with their own agenda.

From a kind-hearted priest that takes pity on the doctor when he receives some bad news, to the delightful couple that house Bill Brockton in the charming Lumani residence, the authors weave a rich web of characters through our tale. Painters from the past, their actions shown to us in flashbacks, a dangerous fanatic that plans to bring the world to its knees. Who can be trusted in a tale where one misplaced instinct could bring disastrous circumstances?

The Bones of Avignon is a story of murder and blood, death and deception. A combination of history and fiction gives the reader a tale rich with action, each page promising to bring new twists and turns in the journey to discover the true meaning behind the bones of Avignon.

4/5.

Changes

Wrote this one in September 2011 and it really speaks for itself.

Changes

People may change with the winds of time,
Yet I still think of us, your lips upon mine.
One moment so golden, yet frozen forever,
Raindrops they fell, as we stood there together.

In a blink of an eye, the moment was gone,
From that point on, it all began to go wrong.
A sense of distress, I thought I should go,
Suspicions confirmed; it hurt more than you know.

Yet despite the pain, it never ruined the night,
It's never hard to remember, that memorable sight.
So nervous, I held my breath; I had waited too long,
It was our defining moment; the chorus of our song.

Through it all we battled, problems we overcame,
The greatest gust couldn't douse our friendship flame.
Years that with you, have been the best of my life,
At the end of the day, happiness outweighs the strife.

I sit here and think of us, and wonder what's left,
My life begins to lack colour; it's lonely and bereft.
Promise me please, as I pray this isn't the end,
I miss you terribly even now, on you I do depend.

So as life begins to rush upon us, think of our good times,
Relax and sit back, as the final bell chimes.
As the curtain falls, the players bow; the final sun shall set,
I know not the future changes, but you I won't forget.

© Ben Johnson 2011

Friendship Comes In Many Forms

Here is a poem I wrote in August 2011 after I realised a certain someone would always be there for me.

Friendship Comes In Many Forms

Today was just a stark reminder:
Friendship comes in many forms,
Despite the anger, despite the hurt,
With you I can weather these storms

Relief that passes through my mind,
When I know that you'll be there,
Metaphorical shoulders to rest my head,
As my hands tear through my hair

A heart that bleeds, I long to scream
Such frustration I can't contain,
Yet every time I feel like giving up,
Your words guide me through the pain

I've stood resolute with nothing left,
Almost breathed my very last,
Then in my ear, those voices whispered,
Reassured, the moment passed

Saved from upon the very brink,
So melodramatic but it's true,
Battled on despite the hurt,
I owe so much to you

These words I write can't say it all,
But know your kindness transforms
Those broken hearts, those ruined souls:
Because friendship comes in many forms

© Ben Johnson 2011