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tomnovatopatch
My first book is a WHO-DONE-IT titled “Bless Me Father.” It involves a former nun’s secret, an apolitical priest, a haunting cold case, and a forbidden love which are all intertwined in this murder mystery thriller.
My next three books are part of a series I call the Diem Trilogy. These are also in the thriller genre with a touch of sci-fi thrown into the mix. The first book is “Novus Diem” (new day) and it follows a research scientist whose unauthorized experiment leads to her arrest. She escapes custody befriending an interrogator whose Native American roots allow them a safe haven and time to plot their next move.
The next book in the series is “Post Diem,” (next day) and sees terrorists commandeering busses full of commuters who park them midspan on the Golden Gate Bridge halting traffic in both directions. The whole world watches the spectacle on live television to see what happens next.
The third and final book in the series is “Ultima Diem,” (last day) and is about a perfect storm of astrophysical calamities which threaten the world while U.S. intelligence leaks further threaten national security. A quantum researcher finds hope in the ancient ways of the Hopi people. I am finishing this work at present for publication next year.
I also have a blog here for random thoughts, poetry and sometimes even political opinions, some of which have been published elsewhere. These may not endear me to every fiction reader, but I do believe that a fundamental element of Democracy is sharing ideas. As George William Russell (Irish writer, poet, painter, critic & organizer) said, “We have the universe to roam in imagination. It is our virtue to be infinitely varied. The worst tyranny is uniformity.”
Be of open mind. It is much preferrable than that of one that is impenetrable.
Reviews
Outlander: The Happiest Place on Earth (2023)
Fantastic
Great episodes (1 & 2) to start off the season. And the opening theme song this season is the best version since the original. You can't top Sinead O'Connor's unmistakable vocal. It certainly set the tone for the season opener and we listened to it twice before watching the new episode. A great production, as it always has been, of top quality and consistent. The leads are a fantastic fit and are they are making an iconic and indelible mark on the industry. There are but a handful of television series that have been this successful based on an already successful literary series, but here you have it.
Dead Ringers (2023)
Ehhh, no.
Not our cup of tea. Rachel Weisz is excellent playing two parts, but the artsy attempt of the script falls flat and is simply quite weird. For example; how many times does a cell phone have to buzz in an episode to convey that her sister's calls are going to go unanswered? It was just absurd. The whole series could have moved along faster and achieved the same story line by editing out parts that dwelled too long on mundane and boring points. Six episodes could have been reduced to four without losing anything impactful to the story. The live-in artist was an unnecessary statement, perhaps even juvenile.
Silo: Freedom Day (2023)
Few Books To Film Kill It Like This
It's rare that a film or a series adaptation of a book you love meets your expectations. When it finally hits the screen you usually have to prepare yourself for compromise. There will be something that they didn't get right because you saw it differently when the author planted the vision in your head. The main characters are off or maybe you'd rather had seen someone else in the role. The sets don't fit the story as you'd imagined it. The progression of the scenes don't align with the book as you remember how it unfolded. Silo hits the ball out of the park and its a credit to Hugh Howey's talent as a story teller. Everybody in the production was on the same page. Very well done. Can't wait for more.
The Diplomat (2023)
Really Well Done - Great cast - great sub plots
Really enjoying this show. Great acting by a great cast and enough subtle (and not so subtle) sub plots to constantly keep your attention. There's a West Wing tempo and a Homeland urgency which keeps you hooked from the outset. There are political parallels to current events which bring a real seriousness to the drama. On the flip side the personal relationship stories can be humorous, complicated and entertaining by their own right. This series has something for everyone. Hopefully we can look forward to many more seasons of this (like "The Americans" and "Man in the High Castle.") Keep them coming!
Devotion (2022)
Thank you Ensign Jesse Brown
Thank you Ensign Jesse Brown for your service to your country. - "Devotion" is a truly heroic and epic story of a man who overcame the discrimination and prejudices of his day to fulfill his life's dream of becoming a naval aviator. He achieved that and much more, becoming a nationally recognized American hero in the process. The movie remains faithful to the true story and closely follows the actual events that led up to the Korean conflict and the subsequent battle at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. The film is quite good and more relevant than other thrill films of the day as it not about a fictitious character but a real life hero.
Clarkson's Farm (2021)
Out Here In The Fields
As thoroughly entertaining as this show is, it also serves surreptitiously as a public service announcement. Whether by intent or accident, the hard life of the farming industry is plainly seen and comes to be most humbly appreciated. So too is the over-burdening bureaucracy laid bare for all to see. While necessary health regulations for the industry are welcomingly justified, the red-tape that strangles potential business growth for farmers just trying to make a living is maddening. Regional laws and building codes seem intent on restricting farmers from expanding into related businesses that could serve to expand their profitability.