Convolutions, complexities, and an abundance of action-packed scenes.
Approaching middle age with an overwhelming sense of disappointment and a penchant for quality bourbon is never what John Bastian envisioned for himself. A happy family filled with love and children would have been nice, but a difficult divorce and some career catastrophes are all he has to show for his efforts. Hoping to shake his malaise and change his luck, John hits the slopes of Mammoth Mountain with his lighthearted best friend, Kevin. But this bucket list buddy-trip quickly escalates into a snowcapped disaster. First, a violent event in a gondola nearly ruins the trip. Next, an ominous storm threatens to derail their adventure. But John is determined to conquer this mountain, to conquer his emotional paralysis. So off he goes, descending the treacherous slope, plunging headlong into an accident that leaves him in a coma. Post-coma John may seem physically well, but mentally he is a changed man, different in ways too bizarre to explain to others. Something like a dream, but more like a memory, clings to his psyche. Meaningful visions of a treasure, a violent ax attack, and a vibrant red-headed woman consume his thoughts, propelling him toward a dangerous future that feels as inevitable as his past.
Convolutions, complexities, and an abundance of action-packed scenes are just the tip of the iceberg in J. Luke Bennecke’s supernaturally tinged thriller, Echo From A Bayou. With more mishaps than one lifetime can handle, it’s impossible not to want John to finally catch a break, however and whenever he can get it. As he tries to salvage his sanity by working through memories that are not quite his, John fills in the gaps of a life inexplicably tied to his own. This other life was abruptly extinguished, but it had the love John has been searching for, and he’ll stop at nothing to finally hold this feeling in his hand and heart. Bulky exposition detracts from the sense of discovery, but wild shifts and shuddering turns will keep readers engaged with the ever-evolving plot. Ruthless treasure hunters, hidden secrets, callous murders, and the concept of reincarnation are just a few of the exciting elements vying for attention in this relentless novel. With boundless energy and unexpected twists, Echo From A Bayou is a dramatic treasure hunt whose ending just might be the gold you’ve been searching for.
