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Rides a Stranger
After the death of his father, a literature professor is drawn into the murder investigation of a bookstore proprietor
Though Don and his father both love books, their tastes couldn’t be more different. Don is a scholar, and his father reads nothing but schlock. His house is full of dime paperbacks, battered thrillers, and case after case of western novels, none of which his son could ever bear to read.
At his father’s funeral, Don is approached by a strange man, a rare book dealer named Lou Caledonia. Don assumes the man wants to buy his dad’s old westerns, but Lou explains that something far more important is on the line.
Don finds the cramped confines of Lou’s used bookstore immensely comforting, but a surprise waits for him downstairs. Caledonia has been shot dead, and Don is in danger, too. The boy who was too smart to read pulp fiction is about to find himself trapped in a thriller of his own.
Though Don and his father both love books, their tastes couldn’t be more different. Don is a scholar, and his father reads nothing but schlock. His house is full of dime paperbacks, battered thrillers, and case after case of western novels, none of which his son could ever bear to read.
At his father’s funeral, Don is approached by a strange man, a rare book dealer named Lou Caledonia. Don assumes the man wants to buy his dad’s old westerns, but Lou explains that something far more important is on the line.
Don finds the cramped confines of Lou’s used bookstore immensely comforting, but a surprise waits for him downstairs. Caledonia has been shot dead, and Don is in danger, too. The boy who was too smart to read pulp fiction is about to find himself trapped in a thriller of his own.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
David Bell
32 books2,260 followersDavid Bell is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning suspense novelist. His most recent thriller from Berkley/Penguin is KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS. His previous novels include THE REQUEST, LAYOVER, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, BRING HER HOME, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY, SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW, THE FORGOTTEN GIRL, NEVER COME BACK, THE HIDING PLACE, and CEMETERY GIRL. He is currently a Professor of English at Western Kentucky University and can be reached via his website at www.davidbellnovels.com, on Twitter at Twitter.com/davidbellnovels, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/davidbellnovels.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 4, 2024
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the build and the unraveling of the mystery, but I felt the ending was sadly lacking and too succinct.
July 30, 2021
Keep Your Enemies Close, and Your Friends Far Away…
Don used to be very close to his father when he was a child, but now his father watches Fox News and he watches CNN.
Don’s father had a job he hated, but Don is an esteemed professor of literature, and he loves it.
Don’s dad likes to read thrillers and westerns. Don likes to read the classics.
Don’s dad was once young and healthy, but now he suffers from a rare neurological disease.
Despite their differences, Don loves his father and wishes he knew him.
With his dad’s death, Don comes for a visit, and discover that his father had many secrets that he had been keeping.
Let’s discover them…
Don used to be very close to his father when he was a child, but now his father watches Fox News and he watches CNN.
Don’s father had a job he hated, but Don is an esteemed professor of literature, and he loves it.
Don’s dad likes to read thrillers and westerns. Don likes to read the classics.
Don’s dad was once young and healthy, but now he suffers from a rare neurological disease.
Despite their differences, Don loves his father and wishes he knew him.
With his dad’s death, Don comes for a visit, and discover that his father had many secrets that he had been keeping.
Let’s discover them…
August 11, 2016
Bell's most personal work ever moved me so much that I found myself speechless after I read it. I was both surprised by and thankful for this beautiful ode to grief written in the form of a story about what it's like to lose a parent (or anyone for that matter). It's also a book I couldn't put down and read in one night. It isn't one I'll forget any time soon either.
September 21, 2017
It was a well written simple tale. It was not what i expected. In reading it, I found a nice telling. It answered questions all people have about their parents. It was a sneaky good read.
August 17, 2019
Don Kurtwood, a university literature professor goes home to attend his father's funeral. Father and son were never close. A love of books was their only common interest and even that was sketchy as Don loved the classics - real literature - and his Dad favoured pulp fiction, especially paperback westerns.
At the funeral reception Don is approached by a rotund little man who wants Don to visit his store later that same evening. He gives Don his card.
After a trying day, Don does go to the man's bookstore - only to find him dead. He reports the death to the police and finds out that Lou Caledonia wasn't interested in purchasing Don father's old book collection. Instead, he was interested in buying the book Don's father wrote!
This is a revelation Don didn't expect. Even his mother had no idea that her late husband had penned a novel under the pseudonym Herbert Henry...
Don goes in search of the elusive book. He believes that if he reads it he might understand his father better.
MY THOUGHTS
At only 53 pages, this short story was a very enjoyable read. The short length didn't deter the author from excellent characterization.
The point that the story exemplifies is that we, as adults, often do not 'know' our own parents on a personal level. It is often only after our parents have passed away that we realize that our parents were vibrant and young at one time. People with dreams and hobbies, loves and insecurities.
This short story will be enjoyed by bibliophiles and short story lovers alike. But then that comes as no surprise... the author is David Bell.
At the funeral reception Don is approached by a rotund little man who wants Don to visit his store later that same evening. He gives Don his card.
After a trying day, Don does go to the man's bookstore - only to find him dead. He reports the death to the police and finds out that Lou Caledonia wasn't interested in purchasing Don father's old book collection. Instead, he was interested in buying the book Don's father wrote!
This is a revelation Don didn't expect. Even his mother had no idea that her late husband had penned a novel under the pseudonym Herbert Henry...
Don goes in search of the elusive book. He believes that if he reads it he might understand his father better.
MY THOUGHTS
At only 53 pages, this short story was a very enjoyable read. The short length didn't deter the author from excellent characterization.
The point that the story exemplifies is that we, as adults, often do not 'know' our own parents on a personal level. It is often only after our parents have passed away that we realize that our parents were vibrant and young at one time. People with dreams and hobbies, loves and insecurities.
This short story will be enjoyed by bibliophiles and short story lovers alike. But then that comes as no surprise... the author is David Bell.
August 24, 2023
Don is a university professor that reads only highbrow books. His father loves the bestsellers, which are beneath Don. When he comes home for his father's final days and funeral, he is approached by a local bookseller asking to meet with him about his father. Although he finds the man dead when he goes to meet him, Don is curious about what the man wanted and starts digging finding a lot more than he expected to. This was a fun novella!
January 31, 2024
A short story with substance.
A father dies and his grown son learns a bit more about his Dad.
Who knew he secretly wrote and published a limited edition western and that he dedicated to a past lover.
Or that his book would become a rare collectors item years later, worth a lot of money.
A man is murdered and the old flame admits to killing him, because she just wanted one copy of the book, that was dedicated to her.
The secrets we almost carry to the grave.
A father dies and his grown son learns a bit more about his Dad.
Who knew he secretly wrote and published a limited edition western and that he dedicated to a past lover.
Or that his book would become a rare collectors item years later, worth a lot of money.
A man is murdered and the old flame admits to killing him, because she just wanted one copy of the book, that was dedicated to her.
The secrets we almost carry to the grave.
September 21, 2018
I went on Amazon hoping to find a copy to buy but all they had was the e-book, turned out to be a good purchase because it got me through a slow day at work. Great little read when you need something to do but don't have enough time to start an in depth novel.
September 22, 2021
A quick read that ended a bit too soon for me. I really enjoy the writing style of David Bell. This is a short story of discovery when a Dad passes away. I chose this book that is part of a series written by different authors because of David Bell. A quick read anyone would enjoy!
August 15, 2022
Nothing great about this story
If you like your mysteries sappy and mystery-less, this might just be the book for you. Very weak plot, no interesting resolution, bloodless characters. The author can write, but somehow he didn’t seem to care all that much about this project.
If you like your mysteries sappy and mystery-less, this might just be the book for you. Very weak plot, no interesting resolution, bloodless characters. The author can write, but somehow he didn’t seem to care all that much about this project.
November 14, 2023
What do we know about our parents?
A fascinating look at a dying man and his funeral. His son learns more about him in the days after his funeral than he knew his whole life. Sad and exciting at the same time. Dreams happen.
A fascinating look at a dying man and his funeral. His son learns more about him in the days after his funeral than he knew his whole life. Sad and exciting at the same time. Dreams happen.
June 24, 2017
A short read, but a very touching one. It shows how little we sometimes know about the ones who are closer to us. It was my first book by this author but certainly not the last.
January 6, 2021
This was a short story, but it was a good read. I enjoyed it and found it mysterious and interesting.
June 1, 2023
About a son who finds out a bookish secret after his father's death.
I needed to know what was going on after reading the first sentence, that doesn't happen very often.
A new author to me.
I needed to know what was going on after reading the first sentence, that doesn't happen very often.
A new author to me.
October 4, 2023
A great read
Rides a Stranger is a will written novella with an interesting story line of a son's finding out about his dad after he is gone. Enjoy reading 2016
Rides a Stranger is a will written novella with an interesting story line of a son's finding out about his dad after he is gone. Enjoy reading 2016
February 12, 2024
A son discovers a father he never knew after his death in this nostalgic mystery
With just the right blend of elements for good story telling
A good read
With just the right blend of elements for good story telling
A good read
January 20, 2024
DNF
Skipped this one after a few pages.
Skipped this one after a few pages.
December 11, 2015
POST MORTEM...
Don hat die Liebe zu Büchern und zum Lesen von seinem Vater geerbt - mehr noch, er hat diese Liebe zu seinem Beruf gemacht und ist nun Literaturprofessor. Doch während er sich meist mit gehobener Literatur beschäftigt, liest sein Vater eher die trivialen Sachen: Bestseller, Krimis, Groschenromane, Western. Die vor allem. Kaum ein Raum im Haus der Eltern, der nicht vollgestopft wäre mit zerlesenen Büchern.
"Er las sie und er las sie noch einmal. Er kaufte immer mehrere Exemplare. Jedes Mal, wenn er eines zerlesen hatte, kaufte er dasselbe Buch noch einmal und las es so oft, bis auch dieses vollkommen zerlesen war."
Nach dem Tod des Vaters tritt während der Trauerfeier ein kleiner, untersetzter Mann an Don heran. Ein Antiquar, Spezialist für seltene Bücher, wie die Visitenkarte verrät. Dieser bittet dringend um eine Unterredung mit Don, und auch wenn der sich kaum vorstellen kann, dass zwischen den ganzen zerlesenen Büchern seines Vaters irgendetwas von Interesse sein könnte für einen Bücherliebhaber, sagt er nach kurzem Zögern zu. Doch als Don tags darauf das Antiquariat betritt, ist der Kater zwischen den Regalen das einzige Lebewesen in dem Geschäft. Der Antiquar selbst liegt erschossen in seinem Büro. Die polizeilichen Ermittlungen fördern Unglaubliches zutage: Der Erschossene war auf der Suche nach einem Buch, einem ganz bestimmten Buch - einem Buch, das Dons Vater geschrieben haben soll...
" 'Nein', sagte Mom. 'Das kann nicht sein.' Wieder lachte sie. 'Mein Mann hat niemals ein Buch geschrieben. Er war nicht einmal imstande, eine Einkaufsliste zu schreiben. Einmal ist er an einem Wochenende zum Angeln gegangen, ohne es für nötig zu halten, mir eine kurze Notiz dazulassen. Er hat nie auch nur irgendetwas geschrieben."
Trotz seiner Zweifel, dass auch nur irgendetwas davon stimmen kann, macht sich Don auf die Suche. Auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, nach dem Buch, nach seinem Vater, den er nicht wirklich gekannt zu haben scheint - und ein wenig auch auf die Suche nach sich selbst...
Dieses Buch ist eine der der besten Folgen der Biblio-Mysteries Reihe. Spannend auf gleich mehreren Ebenen und mit Gedankengängen, die Viellesern und Buchliebhabern nicht unbekannt sein dürften. Mir hat die Mischung gut gefallen, und das Ende ließ mich gar ein wenig melancholisch zurück.
Dies war bereits Band 11 der Biblio-Mysteries Reihe (13 Folgen gibt es insgesamt), in der es immer um Kriminalfälle geht, die im Zusammenhang mit Büchern stehen: mit alten Büchern, seltenen Manuskripten, unschätzbaren Stücken. Und natürlich geht es auch um diejenigen, die sie unbedingt haben wollen: Buchhändler, exzentrische Sammler, Bibliothekare, Buchliebhaber - oder einfach: Leser.
Nun freue ich mich auf die letzten beiden Bände der Reihe!
© Parden
Don hat die Liebe zu Büchern und zum Lesen von seinem Vater geerbt - mehr noch, er hat diese Liebe zu seinem Beruf gemacht und ist nun Literaturprofessor. Doch während er sich meist mit gehobener Literatur beschäftigt, liest sein Vater eher die trivialen Sachen: Bestseller, Krimis, Groschenromane, Western. Die vor allem. Kaum ein Raum im Haus der Eltern, der nicht vollgestopft wäre mit zerlesenen Büchern.
"Er las sie und er las sie noch einmal. Er kaufte immer mehrere Exemplare. Jedes Mal, wenn er eines zerlesen hatte, kaufte er dasselbe Buch noch einmal und las es so oft, bis auch dieses vollkommen zerlesen war."
Nach dem Tod des Vaters tritt während der Trauerfeier ein kleiner, untersetzter Mann an Don heran. Ein Antiquar, Spezialist für seltene Bücher, wie die Visitenkarte verrät. Dieser bittet dringend um eine Unterredung mit Don, und auch wenn der sich kaum vorstellen kann, dass zwischen den ganzen zerlesenen Büchern seines Vaters irgendetwas von Interesse sein könnte für einen Bücherliebhaber, sagt er nach kurzem Zögern zu. Doch als Don tags darauf das Antiquariat betritt, ist der Kater zwischen den Regalen das einzige Lebewesen in dem Geschäft. Der Antiquar selbst liegt erschossen in seinem Büro. Die polizeilichen Ermittlungen fördern Unglaubliches zutage: Der Erschossene war auf der Suche nach einem Buch, einem ganz bestimmten Buch - einem Buch, das Dons Vater geschrieben haben soll...
" 'Nein', sagte Mom. 'Das kann nicht sein.' Wieder lachte sie. 'Mein Mann hat niemals ein Buch geschrieben. Er war nicht einmal imstande, eine Einkaufsliste zu schreiben. Einmal ist er an einem Wochenende zum Angeln gegangen, ohne es für nötig zu halten, mir eine kurze Notiz dazulassen. Er hat nie auch nur irgendetwas geschrieben."
Trotz seiner Zweifel, dass auch nur irgendetwas davon stimmen kann, macht sich Don auf die Suche. Auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, nach dem Buch, nach seinem Vater, den er nicht wirklich gekannt zu haben scheint - und ein wenig auch auf die Suche nach sich selbst...
Dieses Buch ist eine der der besten Folgen der Biblio-Mysteries Reihe. Spannend auf gleich mehreren Ebenen und mit Gedankengängen, die Viellesern und Buchliebhabern nicht unbekannt sein dürften. Mir hat die Mischung gut gefallen, und das Ende ließ mich gar ein wenig melancholisch zurück.
Dies war bereits Band 11 der Biblio-Mysteries Reihe (13 Folgen gibt es insgesamt), in der es immer um Kriminalfälle geht, die im Zusammenhang mit Büchern stehen: mit alten Büchern, seltenen Manuskripten, unschätzbaren Stücken. Und natürlich geht es auch um diejenigen, die sie unbedingt haben wollen: Buchhändler, exzentrische Sammler, Bibliothekare, Buchliebhaber - oder einfach: Leser.
Nun freue ich mich auf die letzten beiden Bände der Reihe!
© Parden
October 24, 2015
Le résumé était intéressant : un homme est mort, il était travailleur, fidèle, homme sans histoires, en fait. Par contre, son fils ne savait que peu de chose sur lui. Juste qu’il aimait lire les best-sellers… Un vrai lecteur compulsif.
Cette quête d’un fils qui aimerait en savoir plus sur son père, ce fils qui enquête dans le but de retrouver le… Ah ben, non, je peux pas vous le dire, ça ! Cela restera un secret, ce qu’il cherchait de son père. Z’avez qu’à le lire (ou me payer et je balance tout).
Les personnages sont bien campés, on les apprécie, tout va bien. Bon, là où le bât blesse, c’est pour le coupable du meurtre. Le mobile a tout du capillotractage.
Je passe, je me remets à suive la quête, voulant en savoir plus sur le papounet et sa vie d’antan et puis boum, c’est fini. The End. J’ai secoué le roman, dans l’espoir qu’une autre page allait tomber, mais que dalle. Quand il n’y en a plus, ben y’en a pu !
Je suis donc mitigée. Trop court, pas assez développé dans le final, le lecteur reste avec des questions sans réponses et à l’impression de s’être fait un peu avoir sur les bords.
Cette quête d’un fils qui aimerait en savoir plus sur son père, ce fils qui enquête dans le but de retrouver le… Ah ben, non, je peux pas vous le dire, ça ! Cela restera un secret, ce qu’il cherchait de son père. Z’avez qu’à le lire (ou me payer et je balance tout).
Les personnages sont bien campés, on les apprécie, tout va bien. Bon, là où le bât blesse, c’est pour le coupable du meurtre. Le mobile a tout du capillotractage.
Je passe, je me remets à suive la quête, voulant en savoir plus sur le papounet et sa vie d’antan et puis boum, c’est fini. The End. J’ai secoué le roman, dans l’espoir qu’une autre page allait tomber, mais que dalle. Quand il n’y en a plus, ben y’en a pu !
Je suis donc mitigée. Trop court, pas assez développé dans le final, le lecteur reste avec des questions sans réponses et à l’impression de s’être fait un peu avoir sur les bords.
August 19, 2014
really good family drama-type mystery
March 25, 2017
Very good short book about a book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews