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Bloodroot
by
Bill Loehfelm (Goodreads Author)
The brilliantly ambitious thriller- frightening, twisted, and filled with secrets and heartbreak- from the author of Fresh Kills.
Kevin Curran wants to unite his family, but he's ready to give up on his younger brother, Danny- three years lost to heroin addiction and hard, desperate living on the streets of New York. When Danny shows up on Kevin's Staten Island doorstep, lo...more
Kevin Curran wants to unite his family, but he's ready to give up on his younger brother, Danny- three years lost to heroin addiction and hard, desperate living on the streets of New York. When Danny shows up on Kevin's Staten Island doorstep, lo...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
September 3rd 2009
by Putnam Adult
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Kevin Curran, the protagonist, is a community college professor living and working in Staten Island in the Tri-state area. He leads a pretty inconsequential life until his long lost brother, Danny, shows up at his doorsteps one day after three years of complete absence. Danny convinces Kevin that he finally kicked his heroin habit and that he is here to stay this time. Being the forever forgiving big brother that he's always been, Kevin agrees to give Danny another chance. What follows is a seri...more
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Couldn't Put it Down - a book review
I just adopted a puppy, so my reading time has been significantly less (read: none). However, Bloodroot really got me back in the fold and I could not stop reading it. For those of you who know how time consuming a puppy is this should mean a lot.
Bloodroot examines the idea of brotherhood and what people would go through in order to save those closest to us. Bloodroot follows Kevin who has recently come back in contact with his recoveri...more
I just adopted a puppy, so my reading time has been significantly less (read: none). However, Bloodroot really got me back in the fold and I could not stop reading it. For those of you who know how time consuming a puppy is this should mean a lot.
Bloodroot examines the idea of brotherhood and what people would go through in order to save those closest to us. Bloodroot follows Kevin who has recently come back in contact with his recoveri...more
Between 3 and 4 stars, worthy of rounding up to 4 stars.
This is less thriller-ish and more emotionally gripping than the cover might indicate. Bloodroot is the story of two Staten Island brothers and their troubled relationship. Yes, there is a heavy crime and suspense angle but it was the relationship between Kevin and Danny that drew me in and sustained the story. Kevin’s constant rescuing of Danny does get a bit tiresome after awhile. I found myself wanting the guy to cut his los...more
This is less thriller-ish and more emotionally gripping than the cover might indicate. Bloodroot is the story of two Staten Island brothers and their troubled relationship. Yes, there is a heavy crime and suspense angle but it was the relationship between Kevin and Danny that drew me in and sustained the story. Kevin’s constant rescuing of Danny does get a bit tiresome after awhile. I found myself wanting the guy to cut his los...more
Bloodroot caught my attention immediately, and held it to the end. I really liked the psychological aspects of the story, how decisions that might seem wrong on a typical day may not seem wrong at all in the context of what is most important.
My only negative critique of this story is of the character of the protagonist, Kevin. Particulary in the first half of the book, it was hard to connect with him based on some of the decisions he made (or didn't make), like his decisions were for...more
My only negative critique of this story is of the character of the protagonist, Kevin. Particulary in the first half of the book, it was hard to connect with him based on some of the decisions he made (or didn't make), like his decisions were for...more
Captivating tale from beginning to end.
Once again I find myself wishing for ½ stars in Goodreads rating options because I would love to give this book a 4 ½ stars.
How far would you go for family? Would actions that today seem outside your capabilities become possible to save a loved one? These are some of the questions that Kevin faces head on in this very gripping psychological thriller. Kevin struggles with survivors guilt over “losing” his brother to drug-addiction. Wh...more
Once again I find myself wishing for ½ stars in Goodreads rating options because I would love to give this book a 4 ½ stars.
How far would you go for family? Would actions that today seem outside your capabilities become possible to save a loved one? These are some of the questions that Kevin faces head on in this very gripping psychological thriller. Kevin struggles with survivors guilt over “losing” his brother to drug-addiction. Wh...more
Bloodroot is the story of two brothers - one Kevin, a teacher and the other, Danny, an on and off heroin addict. The basic storyline centers around just how far you would go to protect and hold your family together. Kevin finds himself doing things he never would've htought himself capable of to try and protect his brother.
I thought the opening of the book was written beautifully - where Kevin is talking about how wehn he and his brother were younger and Danny told him he could sto...more
I thought the opening of the book was written beautifully - where Kevin is talking about how wehn he and his brother were younger and Danny told him he could sto...more
view all 4 comments
I will preface this with the fact that my one boss is the author's brother but, that being said, this was a very good book. Much, much better, in my humble opinion, then his first book: Fresh Kills (i.e. I didn't feel the need to kill the main character with my bare hands in this one). This book keeps you interested with interesting characters and plot. It's told from one brother's perspective but I think that if told from the other brother's, it would have been even better. While I have no d...more
Okie so lately I’d been reading thrillers and mysteries but this one is by far my favorite, it has all of the elements a good thriller needs to have. A good storyline, unforgettable characters, and last but not least some romance. The storyline was very interesting, throughout the entire novel, I could see why certain things were written a specific way. I also enjoyed a quote Danny said while speaking to his brother Kevin on page 66, “He murders because he’s afraid of the future, of worlds and p...more
There wasn't really anything wrong with this book, my rating may be misleading. I just can't get into thrillers. I tried, but I can't get into the characters, I don't like immersing myself in the dark gritty worlds these authors portray. This book had good writing and the plot moved along nicely, I just felt bad the entire time reading it. Kind of like the feeling you get one day after puking your guts out. You don't feel necessarily sick, but you definitely don't want to eat. Your body feels li...more
"I taste like the dreams of mad children," the quote an eerie preface to Leohfelm's Bloodroot. And as one reads the thriller, Leohfelm is able to evoke exactly what the dreams might taste like.
Kevin Curran, the novel's protagonist, seems only to have one occupation, that of saving his junkie younger brother Danny from himself. It is made apparent that Kevin will do anything to accomplish this, including burning bodies in the New York City dump, compromising his job as a pr...more
Kevin Curran, the novel's protagonist, seems only to have one occupation, that of saving his junkie younger brother Danny from himself. It is made apparent that Kevin will do anything to accomplish this, including burning bodies in the New York City dump, compromising his job as a pr...more
The story was actually pretty good. However, the editing team really screwed up this one. I believe that phrases like "I could care less" should read-"I couldn't care less". This is a mistake that is repeated many times throughout the novel. The flow of the story was disrupted by this for me. It drove me nuts and weighed heavily toward swaying my opinion of with the book. This author is notable for delving into the lives of this family and their deep, dark secrets.
The very twisted tale of Kevin and Danny, two brothers living on Staten Island. Kevin is a teacher at a community college, Danny a recovering drug addict with some very dark secrets and questionable employment. The first chapter, which is a flashback to Danny's drug days, is one of the most harrowing openings to a novel I've read in years. If you're a fan of Dennis Lehane, then check this out.
David
added it
Ever have one of those days when you're completely out of worthwhile reading materials? Barnes & Noble has nothing of interest? The local library? Ditto. So I picked up this book, never having heard of it or its author.
Guess what? In a word, it sucked. Cardboard characters, implausible situations. Put this one on your "don't read" list.
Guess what? In a word, it sucked. Cardboard characters, implausible situations. Put this one on your "don't read" list.
This book is based on two brothers, one a former heroin addict and the other a teacher. The main theme of the novel is how far would you go to protect a member in your family, even if it is illegal. To me the story was kind of slow at the start then gradually picked up momentum. I did not like some of the curse words in the novel though it was needed in showing a particular character's personality. I would recommend anyone to read this book,it is a good story.
I had real problems with the narrator of this book whose devotion to his destructive younger brother strains all crediblity. The plot is melodramatic and also contains elements that complete shatter the willing suspension of disbelief necessary for this reader to enjoy a book.
I liked this book but I wasn't overly impressed or excited about it. At first I found it hard to care about the main character, but once I started to like him, I started to like the book. I'm not disappointed I read it. I am interested in Bill Loehfelm's other book now.
I'm a sucker for books where I know the neighborhoods, but I never figured someone could write a book that takes place in Staten Island where I'm riveted. Bloodroot mixes poigancy of sibling love w/brutality of a seedy life and delivers a thrilling page turner w/just enough romance, family bonding and mystery to touch soften your heart for the end-of-the chapter blows.
Liked it well enough and will read his later books, but he overdid the explanations of the lead character's relationship to his brother and the romantic relationship felt like it was stuck in there because some editor thought it would make the story more appealing.
A First Read winner for me me me!!! I am so excited . . . keep checking for my review. Anxiously awaiting the book. :)
Just started reading. I like the author's style and description so far, but I'm having a trouble connecting to the characters. What seems cliched so far will hopefully become more engaging. . .
I honestly couldn't finish it. I tried. Got almost halfway through, but just didn't feel connected to the characters at all. I felt like trying to tell the story thr...more
Just started reading. I like the author's style and description so far, but I'm having a trouble connecting to the characters. What seems cliched so far will hopefully become more engaging. . .
I honestly couldn't finish it. I tried. Got almost halfway through, but just didn't feel connected to the characters at all. I felt like trying to tell the story thr...more
Loehfelm's second novel is superb. To read my Associated Press review, follow this link:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/...
http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/...
James
added it
This book failed my 100 page test. If a book doesn't capture my attention after 100 pages, it is time to move on.
dreadful. good writing. no believability, outrageous plot.
A high 3. Loehfelm keeps me interested.
So-so characters, lackluster plot and very depressing
When can a crime be a good thing? This book made me ask that question. Not everything is black or white.
I'm always excited when I win a book. Can't wait to receive it.
I was disappointed in this book. The writing just didn't have depth. I felt as if I was skimming the surface of the plot. Because of this, I just couldn't get emotionally connected to the characters. The main character was depressing. The plot was depressing. Unfortunately this wasn't a "GoodRead".
I was disappointed in this book. The writing just didn't have depth. I felt as if I was skimming the surface of the plot. Because of this, I just couldn't get emotionally connected to the characters. The main character was depressing. The plot was depressing. Unfortunately this wasn't a "GoodRead".
Just ok. The characters were interesting enough to get me to finish the book but the junkie-brother, do anything for the brother was a bit much.
J.M.
marked it as to-read
Saw this on Goodreads and thought it looked interesting.
Won this as a giveaway and I am sure glad I did. This book held my attention from the very beginning and couldn't put it down. What would you do for your brother?
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Bill Loehfelm was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Staten Island. He is the author of the novels FRESH KILLS, which won an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, BLOODROOT (2009), and the novel THE DEVIL SHE KNOWS (2011), from Sarah Crichton Books/FSG.
Loehfelm lives in New Orleans with his wife, the writer AC Lambeth, where in addition to writing he plays drums in a band and practices yoga, ...more
More about Bill Loehfelm...
Loehfelm lives in New Orleans with his wife, the writer AC Lambeth, where in addition to writing he plays drums in a band and practices yoga, ...more
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