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Moonlight on the Nantahala

by Micheal Rivers (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 54 ratings · 28 reviews

His life began deep within the mountains of North Carolina. Edward Caulfield was a dedicated craftsman who appreciated the finer things in his life. As a young man he fell deeply in love and married a beautiful young woman he did not want to live without. Fate took her from him early in his marriage and he lived the rest of his life as a shrine to her. In the twilight of h...more

Kindle Edition, 213 pages

Published September 12th 2011

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Southern Mystical Moments by Patricia H. Graham

Moonlight on the Nantahala by Micheal Rivers

Hillbilly Tales from the Smoky Mountains - And Other Homespun... by Patricia H. Graham

Ghosts of the North Carolina Shores by Micheal Rivers

Past, Present, and Promises by Patricia H. Graham

North Carolina Setting and/or Author

2nd out of 118 books — 89 voters

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash

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Dec 15, 2011 Patricia Kemp Blackmon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-s-request-review

It takes Edward a while to get to sleep at night and a long time to get his body to co-operate with itself to get out of bed in the mornings. With help of a cane and his live-in companion/caregiver Betty, he manages to get through his daily activities. One of his favorite activities is walking to the home by the river he and his late wife, Celia had shared. There he will sit under his tree and think back on the happy life he had shared with his wife. She visits him sometimes and talks with him b...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Lisa Miller Chandler rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blogged, ebooks-in-kindle, favorites

I have thought about Moonlight on the Nantahala by Michael Rivers for a few days, and I know I can not offer a review good enough to do this beautiful, heart warming, hilarious story justice. The characters feel so real and alive, and the friends are so genuinely good and true to each other. The story is about true love, family, & friendship and the good that comes from experiencing life as it should be.

The story begins with Edward who walks to his old house place daily to revisit memories...more I have thought about Moonlight on the Nantahala by Michael Rivers for a few days, and I know I can not offer a review good enough to do this beautiful, heart warming, hilarious story justice. The characters feel so real and alive, and the friends are so genuinely good and true to each other. The story is about true love, family, & friendship and the good that comes from experiencing life as it should be.

The story begins with Edward who walks to his old house place daily to revisit memories of his younger, happy, yet short life with his deceased wife Celia. Edward has observed Lena for a few years, walking along the river on his property where his beloved Celia used to walk. Once Edward and Lena meet, despite the many years that separate them in age, they become close friends comparable to father and daughter. Edward senses Lena’s troubles instantly, but being the wise man he is, lets her story unfold slowly as Lena becomes comfortable telling it.

The vivid descriptions of the beautiful scenery make you feel as if you are sitting on the grass watching Lena and Edward talk. During their talks, Edward’s story of his undying love for his late wife Celia unfolds as Edward relives memories he and Celia shared during the 3 short years they were married. Lena’s story of a horrible marriage to a horrible man and her emotionally unsupportive family is then revealed to Edward. Lena feels she has nobody to turn to and has no way out of her current situation. Edward is determined to help Lena without interfering in her life. A bit of supernatural must intervene (as well as an occasional appearance by Celia) to make this story a true winner.

Edward and Betty, his strong willed house keeper and long time friend, add many laughs to the story along the way with their good humored teasing and wise remarks to each other. Edward, Betty, Lena, and Celia become what a true family should be. Yes, even Celia has her part to play in this story that brings together lost souls that need each other, and proves love can go on forever. The story has a wonderfully funny surprise ending that makes the lives of all involved just fit in a way that can do nothing but give us all a little hope for the future.
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Jan 29, 2013 Tracy Riva rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: appalachia, contemporary-fiction, literary-fiction, mountains, softcover, kindle

Moonlight on the Nantahala
by Michael Rivers
ISBN-13: 978-1466345980, softcover $11.95: Kindle ASIN B005MLXUP4, $2.99

Michael Rivers does an extraordinary job with his modern fiction Moonlight on the Nantahala. It is evocative and it captures so thoroughly the spirit of this part of the Appalachians that I found it easy to picture the setting the around me. I may have an advantage some readers don’t have; I am from outside of Asheville and so the areas Rivers speaks of are in my proverbial expanded...more Moonlight on the Nantahala
by Michael Rivers
ISBN-13: 978-1466345980, softcover $11.95: Kindle ASIN B005MLXUP4, $2.99

Michael Rivers does an extraordinary job with his modern fiction Moonlight on the Nantahala. It is evocative and it captures so thoroughly the spirit of this part of the Appalachians that I found it easy to picture the setting the around me. I may have an advantage some readers don’t have; I am from outside of Asheville and so the areas Rivers speaks of are in my proverbial expanded back yard. In fact, this is part of what drew me to the book, but it was the storyline that made me stay.

Edward is elderly man, still very independent and living on his own with the help of a live-in housekeeper. He lives in a bungalow in town, but walks every day to the house he once shared with his wife Celia on the banks of the Nantahala. One day there is a young woman along the banks. For a time, three years in fact, she and Edward share the space along the bank, each in their own little area, until one day she finds out the property belongs to Edward, and belatedly asks his permission to be on his land.

Over time Lena, Edward and Edward’s housekeeper, and friend, Betty Curtis all begin a wonderful friendship, which includes in a strange fourth, Celia, Edward’s long departed wife who he mourns every day and who occupies a place of honor in his daily conversation. The love Edward felt, and still feels for his beloved wife comes across clearly on the page as does his respect and affection for his housekeeper Betty. Also, the relationship between Edward and Lena grows and he sees her like the daughter he and Celia never had.

Lena is married to a philandering no-good man who could care less about her. He is more interested in the power she brings him through her family and the way she looks on his arm. To him it is all about control, control of Lena, control of the family business and unquestioning loyalty, even in the face of dire circumstances, from those around him. Needless to say, his actions hurt Lena and that hurts Edward who has a desire to shelter and protect her from the cruelty of the world, especially when that cruelty comes in the form of her husband.

I loved everything about this story. The characters are interesting and are typical of small towns. They may seem stereotypical to some, but most of the people, especially of the older generation and the generation behind them all know each other, and who is sick, who needs help, and how to reach out to their neighbors in love and friendship. It is a dying tradition, but it is still alive here and there in small communities throughout the area, and it made me want to go searching for the real town Rivers based his fictional town on, even though I live in a relatively small town myself.

Edward is not what most of us picture when thinking of an elderly person, walking four miles a day, round trip to go to his old house and sit on the bank of the Nantahala River. He longs for a glimpse of Celia, whose ghost others have seen, but it is not to be for Edward. Instead of a view of his deceased wife’s ghost, he finds a warm friendship that adds to the lives of all who are part of it. I highly recommend this work of modern literature. It is well worth the time it takes to read it and it is not overly long. It can be read in three or four short sittings, or two long ones. Trust me, once you start putting it down will be one of the harder things you will have to do.
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Jan 19, 2013 Tess Harding rated it 2 of 5 stars

The magic and power of great writers is their ability to draw the reader into their imagined world by making the reading experience seamless. Yes, if we stop to consider, we know the creation is not real, but a good writer makes the whole thing hyper-real. However, not everyone can be a great writer, but even a good writer draws us out from ourselves for a while. Unfortunately, Micheal Rivers is not a great, nor even a good, writer.

I am reluctant to write a poor review for a fellow writer, for I...more The magic and power of great writers is their ability to draw the reader into their imagined world by making the reading experience seamless. Yes, if we stop to consider, we know the creation is not real, but a good writer makes the whole thing hyper-real. However, not everyone can be a great writer, but even a good writer draws us out from ourselves for a while. Unfortunately, Micheal Rivers is not a great, nor even a good, writer.

I am reluctant to write a poor review for a fellow writer, for I know how long and hard the job is to write and craft a novel, but in this instance I am confused. I found Moonlight on the Nantahala so awkward, so stilted, and in places so difficult to read that I looked it up on Amazon to discover what others thought. This confused as it has received a large number of 5 star reviews (as well as a number of 1 star which appear to agree with my opinion). The general consensus was this was a great book, which confused me even more.

Moonlight on the Nantahala is the story of Edward, an octogenarian who lost his true love many years ago. The tale involves him meeting and befriending a troubled young woman, Lena. There are major elements of a ghost story threaded through the novel. In the story it takes Edward three years before he speaks to Lena, who has been sitting at the bottom of the garden to his old house all that time. When he does speak, for me, things get even worse.

Starting the book, I was intrigued and attracted by the first page. The writing was clean and drew me in, but things went downhill from there.

The dialogue is hard to read, as no-one is able to just say something, they always have to laugh heartily or whisper quietly. And this happens not on the odd occasion, but pretty much every single dialogue point.

And then there are the switches in point of view. Early on in the book this begins to stand out. In one paragraph we are inside Edward’s head, the next inside Lena’s, and the next inside that of his housekeeper, Betty. In some paragraphs the viewpoint is switched from sentence to sentence. I found myself constantly interrupted trying to work out who I was seeing this world from.

I’m confused by this book, and reluctant to post what is a negative review, but feel I need to express my true feelings after reading it. Strangely, in parts, the writing is very good. Micheal Rivers can be excellent at setting and descriptions, can be concise and relevant, but then the swirling head-switching distracts from what is being built.

I see on Amazon the book claims a high selling rank. However, when I look at the Product Details I see it is classified as #72 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Advice & How-to > Parenting & Families > Aging Parents > Aging. The book is neither Nonfiction nor about Aging Parents. I will concede it is about Aging.

So I have a dilemma. I really disliked this book. I can see it has some redeeming features, hence the 2 stars and not 1. However, in light of other reviews, I am willing to concede I may be simply missing something here. But this is my review and not that of anyone else, so I can only offer my honest opinion. Sorry.
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Jan 04, 2013 Rolando Garcia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, ghost-story, paranormal

The lush forests surrounding the Nantahala River in North Carolina serve as the backdrop for this sweet and multifaceted tale. This book is many things. It is a ghost story, a romance, a tale of friendship, an examination of the ways in which we deal with adversity, a chronicle of how the world you know slowly disappears with the passage of time, and a celebration of the things that never change (and should never change).

I loved the complexity of the character of Edward Caulfield. Sitting on the...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Moonlight on the Nantahala, by Michael Rivers is the story of Edward Caulfield and three women who have been very important in his life. His love for his wife, Celia, whom he lost after a few short years together, lasted his whole life. There was never another for him and he lived out his life in remembrance of her.

Now as he is in the twilight of his life, he meets a young woman, Lena, who has has seen off and on for the last several years walking on his property. They strike up a tentative frie...more Moonlight on the Nantahala, by Michael Rivers is the story of Edward Caulfield and three women who have been very important in his life. His love for his wife, Celia, whom he lost after a few short years together, lasted his whole life. There was never another for him and he lived out his life in remembrance of her.

Now as he is in the twilight of his life, he meets a young woman, Lena, who has has seen off and on for the last several years walking on his property. They strike up a tentative friendship that develops over time. While Edward senses something troubling the Lena, he is content to just sit and talk, until he sees that maybe he can offer her something that she obviously doesn't have, security in a relationship where she is free to reveal her troubles. Their conversations reveal Edward's life story and Lena's struggles in dealing with her controlling mother, absent father and abusive husband.

Betty is Edward's housekeeper and friend of many years. She is sassy and not afraid to tell Edward like it is. Edward is grateful for her companionship and for being there when he has needed her. In return for her staying with him all these many years, he has taken care of financially and given her a home after the loss of her husband.

While I was somewhat apprehensive about reading another book outside of my usual comfort zone, I was instantly drawn to the characters and the idea that friendship and love has no boundary, least of all age, gender or death. I understand why Edward is drawn to Lena because he sees so much of Celia in her. Lena, on the other hand is troubled over her family and husband and doesn't know what to do about her life. I love the fact that Lena becomes stronger and more in control the longer she spends time and talks with Edward.

Love comes in many different forms. Edward loved Celia, but also showed his love for Lena just by being there for her during her time of need. And Betty, she showed her love for Edward by taking care of him during his golden years and looking out for him as he forged his friendship with Lena. And Celia, while gone for many, many years, showed her loved for all three by making herself known at many crucial moments in the story. She was as real as you could possibly imagine.

Each has lost something from their lives, yet they've gained something far greater than any could ever imagine - love and friendship, transcending all else, and standing the test of time.

While this book can be read in an afternoon, I found the characters to be real and believable, and the story compelling enough to want to read it again and take a bit more time to absorb all the nuances of feelings that leaped from the pages. Find a quiet place to read this and if it happens to be on a rainy Saturday afternoon, then you won't be disappointed.(less)

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Jun 13, 2012 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy, cultural, current_issues, relationships, paranormal, spiritual

Moonlight on the Nantahala follows a wise old widower in his waning years as he befriends a lonely young woman by the Nantahala river. Edward has moved out of the house he built for his wife, but love and memories draw him back and lead him to ponder how much we lose when we seek convenience. Michael Rivers’ novel lets the reader listen in on thoughts and conversations, watching the play of light on water, the touch of love in an unseen hand placing chair and meal in just the right location, the...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Kathleen Patel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Moonlight is a book that draws you into a beautiful sanctuary, snuggled up against the Nantahala River. Close enough to hear the waterfalls. You will relax as you settle into the slow pace of life in this scenic mountainside haven. You might take a short walk to the falls- if you dare. The spirits will tell you things you may not want to hear.
Edward will bring you back to simpler times, simple joy. Although he carries a deep loss in his heart, he lives his life lovingly with those he encounters....more

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Jan 14, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

BEYOND TRUE LOVE

The first novel I read by Micheal Rivers was The Black Witch, a very fast paced book. Mr. Rivers told me to expect a much slower pace when reading this one. I have been reading one fast paced book after another and it was so nice to read this one where I could relax and enjoy the characters and Mr. Rivers’ beautiful style of writing.

Edward Caulfield truly did live his life as a shrine to his deceased wife, Celia. I especially liked Edward’s live-in companion/caregiver, Betty. The...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Michelle Hughes rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book deserves more than five stars, because it touched my soul in ways that I can barely describe, and I'm an author. I still don't know how to classify this beautiful novel, but however you label it, it's the best book I've read so far this year. The story could almost be a memoir of Edward Caulfield's life and the devotion that he had to his deceased wife, Celia. It's so much more than that though. He shares his memories with a young lady he has watched on his property for three years and...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Moonlight' is a story of love found, love lost, old friendships, new friendships. Edward Caulfield is from the "old days"... you know when times were tough but were also simpler. Life is passing him by and his long time friends are passing away. Mentally he is ready to be with his beloved Cecilia once again but his old body just doesn't seem to be ready for the grave just yet. He has seen many changes in his little town over the years but the one thing that hasn't changed is the house he built...more

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May 07, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, general-fiction

Moonlight on the Nantahala
by Micheal Rivers

I have to confess: this book was really difficult for me, not because of the book itself but because I read it around the first anniversary of the death of my nephew, and all those emotions, Edward’s loss of his wife – our family’s loss of a delightful young boy – became intertwined. It made it hard for me to separate the story from my own head, at times.

That said, Rivers has created a really lovely mood with Moonlight on the Nanatahala, and the slower...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Sharonda (SexxyBlogger) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Almost like an paranormal Tuesdays with Morrie, we have Edward who in his old age live with his companion Betty in a cottage not to far from the house he lived in with his beloved wife who was take from him way to early. Throughout story Edward reflects on his life with his beloved Ceclia with his new friend Lena .
Lena introduces herself to Edward after she realizes she's been trespassing on his property for the last couple of months. She's not very happy with her life and Edward proves to be th...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Marti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

This book was a delight! The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was that at 200 pages, it seemed as if it could have been "fleshed out" a bit more. That said, there's very little else I would criticize about this lovely little delight. The main characters all have some great sadness in their lives but they are not victims. They still have a determination to make life a positive experience not only for themselves but also for those about whom they care deeply. Almost immediately, I...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Lynn Hallbrooks rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: now-on-my-kindle

Introduction: As a rule, I don't read paranormal books. As with any rule, there are a few exceptions. This is one of them. If you are looking for something that will scare the pants off of you, this one isn't it. This book is more of a gentle paranormal romance with a touch of intrigue.

Story line as I see it: The main character, Edward, is an elder gentleman, who we initially see pining for the love of his life, wife, and all around best friend. We soon discover, she is an ethereal being that he...more

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Dec 28, 2012 James Jr. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Moonlight on the Nantahala is a sweet experience to undertake and I am glad that I took it. This should please fans of both romance and paranormal genres because it has elements of both. I wasn't sure how they fit, but Rivers does a very good job of weaving them together.
As a reader of horror and thrillers, I love to go outside of those aisles every once in a while to have something pull on my heartstrings. Moonlight was perfect in that regard because it does exactly that. The story of Edward an...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I am usually more apt to opt for a mystery thriller but was given the opportunity to read this book at no cost. Totally unfamiliar with this author I began reading this book with little expectation other than hope for a pleasant read. I got so much more in this book which takes place on the Nantahala River in North Carolina. Because it would be too difficult to explain the book without including spoilers let me just say that I found it to be a three-tiered love story with enough emotion, beautif...more

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May 12, 2012 Unbound Underground rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: age, death, loss, friendship, ghosts

3 stars out of 5: A well-meaning book with its heart in the right place, but with some tragic missteps in execution that will deter some audiences. Readers who are already sympathetic to the subject-matter may find the book an emotionally gratifying experience. But audiences needing a more nuanced view of the characters or more tension in the plot will have a hard time finishing "Moonlight on the Nantahala" due to poorly realized characters and a lack of conflict.

Read the full review at www.the ...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Karina rated it 4 of 5 stars

How sad I was to turn the last page on this sumptious tale of mysticism and enduring bonds set amidst the mountain beauty of the Carolinas. Rivers draws the reader into the unforgettable life of Edward Cauldfield, who dwells on the cusp of a life here and now, and a life beyond. Edward is so authentically created, a character who touches the lives of all around him, he will stay with you long after the last sunset on the Nantahala. I look forward to more from this author!

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Nov 20, 2012 Robert Parker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I'm a guy, which means my reading is normally limited to paranormal, fantasy and the like, but from the opening paragraph of the prologue, this story had me hooked. It was filled with normal, forgettable characters, but Edward is an honorable & loyal character I will not soon forget. I say again... Wow.

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Dec 14, 2012 Jeanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a lovely story, I just loved every second of it. This was one of the greatest love stories I have even read and it was not your typical love story. This is not a sappy kinda of love story but a love story all the same. I think you need to be a true believed in love in order to truly enjoy.

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Feb 24, 2013 C.E. Jr. rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story. I fell for the characters and found a real connection to them. I have a taste for bittersweet and this novel falls into that category. It is a story of love, loss, and devotion. It tells of a life lived well; a life of contentment.

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Mar 03, 2013 OrchardBookClub rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is the story of Edward who lost his true love Celia many years ago.

Edward befriends a troubled young woman called Lena and after years of Lena sitting at the bottom of the garden to his old house they eventually speak and by eventually I mean 3 years!

The story is sweet, it’s about true love, friendship and family but I found the characters were slightly boring. Also I found the paranormal thread a little weak.

Other reviews have given this book more stars and I am willing to say I may be mis...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Lori rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was okay. Kind of a sweet story and the descriptive writing was very vivid. However, the characters were a little on the boring side and a bit 'unreal'. Also, I found the paranormal elements to be a little unnecessary.

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Jul 22, 2012 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

A very sweet story.

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Mar 11, 2013 Mldgross rated it 2 of 5 stars

I cannot understand how this book has four stars on Goodreads. I gave two stars only because there were a couple of scenes in the book that I enjoyed. Otherwise I did not like this book. I kept thinking it must get better, but this was a hard book to finish.

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Oct 25, 2012 Disneypirate Dave rated it 4 of 5 stars

enjoyable read that includes my beloved mountains and river where I've made so many memories as the backdrop. i personally didnt need the paranormal aspects of the story and thought it would've been fine without it.

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Jun 06, 2012 D.H. Nevins added it

Shelves: couldn-t-finish-this-book

I just couldn't get into this book. Maybe it was the writing style. Maybe it was the characters. Either way, this one simply wasn't for me and after reading only about a third of it, I moved on.

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May 18, 2013 Lori marked it as to-read

May 15, 2013 Legato Darksummers added it

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About Micheal Rivers

Micheal Rivers, a native North Carolinian now resides in the Greater Chicago Area close to the shores of Lake Michigan. He is the author of true ghost stories as well as writing fictional paranormal thrillers. Micheal is an active paranormal investigator with over thirty years experience and provides his readers with some of his experiences woven into his stories. He is the lead investigator for t...more

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