Cuyahoga by Paul Beatty: A New Kind of Folklore

 

 

 

“Cuyahoga” by Paul Beatty is an unusual book not, I think, to be kept to oneself.  I often wished that I had a receptive audience, even one of two people, in front of me so that I could read this book aloud instead of to myself. Failing to find an audience, I’d probably need this story several times over for fear of missing something.

“Cuyahoga” reminded me of all the rollicking and joyous literary versions of “Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.” However, “Big Son” and all the places, events, and personalities in “Cuyahoga “did not meld as folklore over the decades but arise from Beatty’s imagination! Kudo
s to Paul Beatty!

I recommend Beatty’s book to readers liking tall tails and folklore. It probably would not hurt prospective readers to have familiarity with the history of Cuyahoga County and Cleveland, Ohio, or a large present-day map of Cuyahoga County and Cleveland.  

I chose to review this book because I was born and grew up in Cleveland where my hobby was pursuing my love of local history and lore. Although no longer living in Ohio, I still manage to keep up, however inadequately, with current happening in the Buckeye State. However, as I read “Cuyahoga,” I constantly compared Beatty’s descriptions of places and activities to my own mental images.  This was probably a disservice to Beatty from whom I would welcome more books.

I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley for a fair review.

"It's Not Over" (Eva Rae Thomas Book #6) by Willow Rose

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  “It’s Not Over” by Willow Rose brings red-headed former FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas (Book #6) back into action. Inexperienced FBI agent Brad Shearer shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night, seeking her help in solving a kidnapping.   “It’s Not Over” is one of the best, clearly written and well-plotted thrillers available.

Cole, the vulnerable elementary-school-age son of Peter and Mary Marshall, has disappeared from their Orlando, FL resort hotel rooms.  Ten years previously in Key West, FL twins Maggie and Blake vanished from their hotel rooms while parents Peter and Mary dined at a nearby restaurant.  The FBI called in on cases involving children of  “tender age,” twelve and under, assigned Eva Rae to work on Blake and Maggie’s vanishing.  

The case finally closed with the arrest and conviction of Mike Odell, previously convicted of child molestation and staying in the same hotel. Searchers found Blake’s drowned body,   but the only trace of Maggie was a butterfly hairclip near Blake. Because Eva Rae had worked Blake and Maggie’s case and knew the Marshalls Brad was able to persuade her to work on Cole’s kidnapping. 

Eva Rae torments herself by questioning the past. If Odell is in prison awaiting execution, did they arrest the wrong person the first time, or was the arrest correct, and Cole’s disappearance is a copycat occurrence.  Unknown to Blake and Eva Rae is that Cole’s abduction and Mary’s agony are just the tips of icebergs that others have set in motion.

Willow Rose plots this story carefully to keep readers interested and turning pages.  She lets readers into the mind of an unidentified person early in the story.  It is not a gentle or loving mind, but it continues to sneak into the plot when readers are least prepared.  Also, readers are introduced to Roy and his Dad early in the story.  They appear to have nothing to do with the main plot, but threads of their lives keep weaving in and out of “It’s Not Over.”  

  Eva Rae and her sister Sydney share an activity introduced to readers in Chapter one.   They own and run House of Freedom, which shelters trafficked girls in the CoCo Beach, FL.  Sometimes, they pick girls up off the streets.  Readers ride with the sisters as they recover Amber.    We meet Jessica in Chapter eight as she prepares to run away from home. Her mission is to hand on to her backpack and find a red-headed policewoman.  

The strands of the plot start to come together in Chapter 60, and by Chapter 66, Eva Rae can begin putting the strands together. She is invigorated and rebounds to finish up what she considers will be the end of the case.  The law enforcement part of the story ends with Eva Rae standing amid flashing blue, lights, EMTs, and local law enforcement.

The private part of Eva Rae’s story has to do with her love interest Matt, a detective with the local Coco Beach Police Department. She ties all the threads of the ten-year-old and the present-day case together for Matt. Their relationship ends “It’s Not Over” on a loving but mature note.

Despite all the various characters interwoven throughout the story, “It’s Not Over” is a compelling novel.  It is not a police procedural.  Willow Rose concentrates on the emotions of the characters tied into the story. It will be difficult for readers to interrupt the adventures of Eva Rae and put their e-readers down to attend to daily life.  

I requested and received a digital Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and the author through book funnel in exchange for an honest review.