Reviews for the two books in my Phillip McGuire series, published by Curiosity Quills, have
been wonderfully positive.
McGuire is a burnt-out, foreign correspondent who was
kidnapped by the Hezbollah in Beirut before they destroyed the Marine base,
killing 299. Phil, under torture that mutilated his hand, gives up all the
details of the compound he visited. Released after the explosion, he is taken
to Wiesbaden for surgery. After that, he renounces journalism to return to
his university town, Lawrence, where he buys a bar and runs it. Adventures come
his way. His past comes back his way, too.
First in the series is Tortured Truths, which
introduces Phil.
Review excerpts:
The plot thickens and excitement ascends to a shrieking
climax with every word in this thriller. Gruesome and colorful text flows into
a string of scenes that coalesce inside the reader's mind with each turn of the
page. Character's are vividly displayed through dialogue and narrative giving
the reader a sense of being in the thick of the action.
*
Tortured Truths keeps you turning the pages, but the very
interesting thoughts have you highlighting and underlining passages to come
back to. This is a great stand-alone mystery story, but it also an intriguing
thought-provoker when the main character reflects on the whys and wherefores.
*
Randy Attwood has crafted an intoxicating tale of
circumstance and choice....Atmospheric and philosophical, Tortured Truths is a
skillfully written journey into a wounded mind searching for peace.
*
Philip is a good character to follow around. His mind is
interesting and since he’s been a journalist for years he’s knowledgeable. The
torture itself is not on page. The story begins right after and how he deals
with his mutilated hand, the surgeries and rehab. Then his quest to open a bar
and the renovations are all interesting. Then s*** gets real with killings in
his new/old town. When someone he knows is killed he can’t help but dig into
the reason why. Along the way he finds a lovely brash lady, meets old and new
friends, builds a business and, most importantly, faces his past. The story is
not a fast-paced thriller, but is a slow build, one brick at a time, providing
a solid story with a solid character. I would definitely read more about Philip
and all of his friends.
Second in the series is Heart Chants.
Review excerpts:
In Heart Chants, Randy Attwood reintroduces us to Phil
McGuire shortly after the events of the first novel in this series - Tortured
Truths. Phil is laid up at home after trouble, in the guise of a woman, finds
him again.
Two young Navajo students from the local university have
disappeared and the local authorities think they've wandered off on their own.
With no one believing claims of foul play, Phil lets another Navajo girl stay
at his place to keep her safe. Both of the other missing girls were the
daughters of tribal singers, a coincidence too significant to ignore. Before
long, the efforts of the trickster draw him into the world of Navajo mysticism
and traditions as old as the world.
*
Heart Chants draws upon the Navajo creation tale, bringing
the reader into a rich and detailed canon depicted with masterful and immersive
storytelling. While no expert, I found the depictions of rites and cultural
lore to be deep and engaging. This was an excellent read, and it kept the pages
(electronic as they may be) turning. By the time the action reached its peak, I
was reading too fast, and had to back up and reread several pages―I wanted to
know what was going to happen.
*
Heart Chants is an enticing novel rich in Native American
lore and steeped in mystery. ..From beginning to end Heart Chants is an
exciting novel that is in my opinion arguably one of the best releases of the
New Year.
*
...a riveting mystery with a nice dose of romance. His
research into the Navajo culture is impeccable while remaining respectful and
sensitive. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Native
American culture and appreciation of a good story. Well written and
researched, Attwood has done a gutsy thing. He has gone up against the
legacy of Tony Hillerman in the second novel of his Philip McGuire crime
series. Even better he wins the bet, not because his crime novel is better than
any of Hillerman’s, although it might be and probably is, but because he has
the good sense to play off Hillerman in a novel that delves more deeply into
Navajo cosmology than any Hillerman novel I’m familiar with ever went.
*
Attwood pulls the various story lines and conceptual elements
together in a most satisfying and compelling conclusion. If you like hard-boiled
mysteries or Hillerman or novels with multi-ethnic subplots, this is a book for
you.
*
If you live in New Mexico, you've been exposed to
Hillerman's novels about Navajo life. Except that they don't really tell you
much about Navajo life and beliefs. I found Heart Chants much more satisfying
in this regard than the Hillerman novels I've read. And there's an interesting
plot, as well!
*
Very intriguing story with a fascinating story line, and
interesting subject matter as well, with the Navajo culture and mysticism
factoring in to the plot. Heart wrenching history of the Navajo people revealed
in the story. Suspenseful, fast paced, unique.
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