The Interrogator's Notebook

The Interrogator's Notebook by Martin Ott

Danger is imminent in the title and stark cover of The Interrogator's Notebook by Martin Ott. The author evinces a treacherous cloak and dagger story line that is fueled by vengeance and frustration.

Norman Kross, a retired interrogator, finds himself teaching a class within his field expertise, perhaps feeling a bit bereft of his own path in life. In civilian life, he is going through the motions of a pseudo-proletarian existence. The aphorism "those who can't do, teach", rings with the banality of truth.

His family life is at odds with the successes of his professional life, and he is plagued with certain doubts.

"His bombshell Russian wife, her volatile violinist father, and his two headstrong sons stared at him from their framed family holiday photo. What did it say about him that he wan't in it? ... Did his family like having him around now that he wasn't traveling to the four corners of the globe..."

When Norman is commissioned with a job of interviewing a character actor, George Stark, concerning the death of a young woman, he suddenly finds himself walking a sinister tightrope that shatters his original assessment of the generic private sector.

"The actor paused and slyly looked over his shoulder. 'I'm going to like pulling the carpet out from under you and wrapping you up in it.' Stark tugged on the door handle, slid out, and casually reached back for the light switch, casting the room in total darkness."

With his own family now in certain peril, Norman must unmask the true threat that lurks just beyond the shadows.

I was impressed with the progression of The Interrogator's Notebook and the character development that portrayed a complex understanding (on the author's part) of human behavior. Snippets of the Notebook are added before each chapter, allowing a glimpse at the moral reckoning and experiences of the main character.

"As interrogators, we've all been instructed by our superiors to follow the rules with a wink. The subtext is the get results, that 'our' human lives are always more important than 'their' human lives. There are moral consequences, of course, to this approach, not just to a nation but to its citizens that commit themselves unequivocally to a cause."

There is a hard boiled quality to Ott's prose, it is allegorical and his narration is entirely transfixing. His references are dead on and, upon close inspection, his writing is quite profound.

Martin Ott is a former U.S. Army interrogator. He has published two books of poetry as well as dozens of short stories in publication. He also has a blog for writers: writeliving.wordpress.com

The Interrogator's Notebook by Martin Ott, 2013 ISBN 978-0983605881

Valley Of Thracians

Valley of Thracians: A Novel of Bulgaria by Ellis Shuman

There is a vivid, life-like element to Valley Of Thracians by Ellis Shuman. Perhaps it is because of the author's expertise on Bulgaria, or because of the timeline of history that is refreshingly accurate. Regardless of the reason, the end product has proved to be something quite special.

As the novel opens we meet Simon Matthews, a man on a mission. Simon's character evokes the reader's empathy as his heart-wrenching situation comes to light. He has traveled to Bulgaria to answer a question that had been plaguing him, what has happened to his grandson?

"It was a feeling he had -a gut feeling that was burning inside him and growing in intensity from day to day."

No body had ever been produced from his grandson's death. And as Simon begins his quest, digging into the truth behind the mysterious death, he uncovers something incredibly sinister.

"The bus speeds east through the dark and forbidding Bulgarian night. The rhythm of the tires on the asphalt pavement soothes my worries, and I close my eyes, eager to forget the strange happenings that have led me to this unexpected journey."

With the help of Sophia Ivanova, an expert in Thracian culture, he is able to traverse throughout Bulgaria on an amazing journey filled with the languid rhythms of culture, and subtle clues of muddled deception.

"Simon wiped away a tear that threatened to cascade down his face, something that surprised him each time he thought deeply about his beloved grandson even after all this time."

Shuman's writing style ensconces the reader in an intriguing plot-line that is chock-full of significant detail. His past experiences provide a compelling narrative. Valley Of Thracians is a riveting fiction debut that will enrich each reader to the savoir-faire of Bulgaria.

Ellis Shuman currently resides in Israel with his wife and children. He lived in Sofia, Bulgaria from 2009-2010. Ellis's first book was The Virtual Kibbutz and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at other online retailers. He writes regularly at: ellisshuman.blogspot.com .

Valley Of Thracians by Ellis Shuman, 2013 ASIN B00B68J114

The Bridge

A stirring and inspirational story.

The Bridge by Stan Crader

Colby, Missouri, 1967 small town America.

Young Tommy Thompson faces his greatest challenge yet. A coming-of-age story where Tommy begins seeing reality outside of his comfortable ideals. At 12 years old, Tommy has gotten his very first job and fancies himself in love. His dreams are relatively simple and, as only a child can comprehend, his world is distinctly black and white. Good is good and bad is bad. Absolute certainties exist; such as fried bologna eaten with Miracle Whip and ketchup, and Uncle Cletus, the smartest man in the world. Tommy finds his own footing as he tries to be supportive of his best friend, Booger, who must deal with a death in his family. 

It's a nostalgic world of early America, where things were simpler and human interaction was church functions and neighborly gossip. Phones were a novelty, the internet wasn't even a thought and ice cream sodas were twenty cents. 

Stan Crader has created a delightful journey to a world that has passed us by. This compelling story printed on paper is reminiscent of a heartwarming tale inside a Norman Rockwell painting. Though we may never be able to go back and experience America in 1960, we are granted a quick peek.

I highly recommend this book. Another incredible plus, the author has generously dedicated all of the proceeds to charity.

Anthem by Ayn Rand

A Novella for your Thoughts

Imagine a world that shuns free thought. Free speech is banned and forgotten. The masses so oppressed that they no longer remember a time that people had rights.

A very long time ago, every inch of liberty we waived in the name of safety and security was another step toward relinquishing our most treasured right: freedom. We spoke in the name of democracy, yet our own government told us that they would decide what is right or wrong. They would decide what private citizens would be able to own or possess. They knew better. We should not have the right to decide. Should not have the right to stand up and disagree. Our slowly eroding Constitution had disappeared completely. Creating "we", there was no longer individuality.

Enter Anthem.

There is no creativity. There is no free thought. There is no learning outside of what is allowed by the powers that be. The individual does not exist. And any violations are punishable by death.

It is important to remember and read, perhaps re-read such a novella. To remember who we are as a society and that what we fight for is a bigger ideal. What would we be willing to give up just to feel a little security in the present? For short term desires, what have we sacrificed and lost for good?

Don't treat it like a quiz. This book is most certainly dangerous. It will expand your mind and question your own foundation. Be who you are. Be you. It's a New Year, start it off right with this daring novella.