Author: Jon Padgett
Publisher: Dunhams Manor Press; 2 edition (January 20, 2017)
Publication: January 20, 2017
Pages: 198
ebook
ASIN: B01N0YB19V
Language: English
Cover and interior art: Dave Felton
Jacket design: Anna Trueman
Author photographer:


2 Stars

"This book was provided by Jon Padgett in exchange for my honest review alongside my proffered thank-you for asking."

Jon Padgett

After the first three stories were explained to me, I wondered about number four.  Any tension here?  Suspense this time around?

Instead of having the reader 'feel' the read, the narration was being explained what you will or should feel.

Reaching past 30% of this read is all I could take.  There was no need to turn a page and seek out your quest to settle your anxieties the author should have installed into you by this point in the read.  There was no anticipatory urge.  Three down and after I read Origami Dreams - that was strike four - I'm out.

Origami Dreams did have a slight edge to the writing leading to mystery and suspense, yet, it was not strong enough to keep me.

The next story in line after Origami Dreams is 20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism.  I couldn't take 20 more explanations.  I perused the steps - they are exactly that - steps on how to be a ventriloquist.  One should know reading into a read for 30 - 50 pages, if this read is for you, you would want to turn the next page.  That need should be in you by now.  Threw a question at myself - Gee, should I keep reading?  Will all these stories connect somehow in the end?

Jon Padgett has an idea here for a great theme, though after a third of the book was read there was no hint of suspense, no urge.  Seemed to be a book of nothing more than miscellaneous stories grouped together to make a novel.  Plainly, words on wood pulp.  He's trying way too hard to be a writer who has a 'new' edge to writing.  I gave it enough of my time.

You gotta grab the reader man.  Grab the reader by their throat right off the bat.  You need to hone in on your victims (readers) and make them have that urge to turn the page.  That curiosity to see if the antagonist gets away and lives for another day or the protagonist ... is fine.

Will all these stories connect in the end I kept asking myself and I stopped - this overwhelming feeling came over me - I don't want to work at a read.  I would rather be scared and have that need to turn a page to see and feel that all will be well ... (hopefully) in the end.  If I had reached the end and all the stories did fit together for some extravagant ending, why would you have me go through so much hell beforehand?

I see this read had some great reviews and from some legitimate sources, I might add.  I don't see their view.

This is the first read I did not finish since I started this blog.  Sad day at Buttonholed Book Reviews.  Been sitting here with a busted wrist, following Doctor orders and just want to read if not great stuff, at least good stuff.  Next.



Recommend?  It's a two star from me folks.




Here's where you can get your fingers The Secret of Ventriloquism:

•  Amazon ~ Kindle $4.99 ~ Paperback $12.99 USD

•  Barnes & Noble ~ Paperback $12.99 USD

•  IndieBound ~ Support your local book stores