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Mortom
by
Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially surprised to be named as the sole beneficiary in Craig’s will. Not that there’s much to inherit: just an empty bank account and a run-down house.
Once Andy arrives in the town of Mortom, however, he’s drawn into his puzzle-obsessed cousin’s true legacy: a twisted and ominous treasure hunt. ...more
Once Andy arrives in the town of Mortom, however, he’s drawn into his puzzle-obsessed cousin’s true legacy: a twisted and ominous treasure hunt. ...more
Paperback, 274 pages
Published
April 28th 2015
by Thomas & Mercer
(first published February 6th 2014)
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Jul 20, 2015
Maxine (Booklover Catlady)
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Everyone! Psychological Thriller Fans, Mystery Lovers
Shelves:
psychological-thrillers-read
I love it when I get a book that is just something out of the norm from what I have been reading lately. Something to make me perk up a bit and take notice that something interesting is in my hands. Let the adventure begin.
Do you like games? Puzzles? Brain Teasers? You do? Then hold on, you are in for one hell of a ride. If you are like me and like to guess the ending of a book from it's clues along the way and sit back happy when proven right then this is not the book for me. The book beat me. ...more
Do you like games? Puzzles? Brain Teasers? You do? Then hold on, you are in for one hell of a ride. If you are like me and like to guess the ending of a book from it's clues along the way and sit back happy when proven right then this is not the book for me. The book beat me. ...more

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
----Anonymous
Erik Therme, an American author, has penned his debut novel, Mortom, which accounts the story of a brother and a sister who are left a huge estate by one of theirs distant cousin who committed suicide in a small town, upon reaching they discover a letter with a key that leads to a "treasure" hidden somewhere in that strange town.
Synopsis:
Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially su ...more
----Anonymous
Erik Therme, an American author, has penned his debut novel, Mortom, which accounts the story of a brother and a sister who are left a huge estate by one of theirs distant cousin who committed suicide in a small town, upon reaching they discover a letter with a key that leads to a "treasure" hidden somewhere in that strange town.
Synopsis:
Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially su ...more

“Mortom” by Erik Therme, an American author is a debut novel about a treasure hunt set by a dead man for his cousin to follow. Andy knows is he has four days to solve Craig's clues. So what does he win? Andy is hoping to inherit a great fortune.
“Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially surprised to be named as the sole beneficiary in Craig’s will. But much to his surprise, Andy sees there is not much to inherit- just an empty bank account and a run-dow ...more
“Andy Crowl barely knew his recently deceased cousin, Craig Moore, so he’s especially surprised to be named as the sole beneficiary in Craig’s will. But much to his surprise, Andy sees there is not much to inherit- just an empty bank account and a run-dow ...more

Dec 20, 2015
❀Aimee❀ Just one more page...
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to ❀Aimee❀ Just one more page... by:
99
This story was dark overall. The story and mystery is written with chilling undertones. You always feel like the other shoe is going to drop. You constantly wonder who is in the shadows and what is going to happen next. This portion was a plus for me - it was well written suspense with a lot of clues along the way.
The author writes well and often the writing felt very Hitchcockian to me.
The part I didn't like was that the all characters were so unlikable, intensely flawed, broken....and stay ...more
The author writes well and often the writing felt very Hitchcockian to me.

The part I didn't like was that the all characters were so unlikable, intensely flawed, broken....and stay ...more

Andy Crowl arrives in the small town of Mortom with his sister, Kate. His cousin, Craig Moore, has, unexpectedly left him his house in his will. Despite the fact the two were childhood friends, Andy was not close to him in adulthood and so the bequest was a surprise – not only to Andy but to Craig’s resentful mother, Mary. When they arrive at the house, Andy and Kate find a terrible smell – there is a dead rat in the kitchen. When Andy finally manages to drag it out from where it is wedged, he f
...more

Andy and his sister Kate are in the small town of Mortom to settle their cousin Craig's estate. It came as a huge surprise that Craig left everything he had to Andy, especially as they had not seen each other in many years.
But 'everything', at first glance, is a falling-down house and an empty bank account.
When taking a walk through the house, Andy finds a dead rat ... under the refrigerator... with a note and a key in its mouth. Thus starts the 'game'. It's up to Andy to interpret the clues as ...more
But 'everything', at first glance, is a falling-down house and an empty bank account.
When taking a walk through the house, Andy finds a dead rat ... under the refrigerator... with a note and a key in its mouth. Thus starts the 'game'. It's up to Andy to interpret the clues as ...more

Page turner. I didn't want to put this down. Suspenseful. Suicide or murder? Dysfunctional family. Odd neighbors. A life depends on solving an involved puzzle that the deceased designed specifically for his cousin. Are they cousins? What is the reason for this involved puzzle? You will not believe the twists and turns. Original plot. Characters are so well developed you feel you know them personally.
...more

You can find my review on our blog by clicking here.
We've all dreamed of receiving an outrageous amount of money deposited into our accounts or an empire being dropped on you, leaving you the sole beneficiary. Wouldn't that put a smile on absolutely anyone? Well Craig Moore, who has recently committed suicide, leaves behind “an empty bank account and a run-down house” for Andy Crowl, his cousin. Not exactly the greatest parting gift, but things get quite fishy when your dear cousin wasn't exactl ...more
We've all dreamed of receiving an outrageous amount of money deposited into our accounts or an empire being dropped on you, leaving you the sole beneficiary. Wouldn't that put a smile on absolutely anyone? Well Craig Moore, who has recently committed suicide, leaves behind “an empty bank account and a run-down house” for Andy Crowl, his cousin. Not exactly the greatest parting gift, but things get quite fishy when your dear cousin wasn't exactl ...more

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Amazon Publishing!
I really enjoyed Mortom, a twisted, very dark and geographically-challenged version of the Amazing Race. When Craig Moore dies, he leaves his house to his cousin Andy, setting in motion a depraved treasure hunt that may lead to a prize (or not). The red herrings are well played so that, when the endgame comes, it's hard to see it coming. Even after I thought all the twists were done, there came a f ...more
I really enjoyed Mortom, a twisted, very dark and geographically-challenged version of the Amazing Race. When Craig Moore dies, he leaves his house to his cousin Andy, setting in motion a depraved treasure hunt that may lead to a prize (or not). The red herrings are well played so that, when the endgame comes, it's hard to see it coming. Even after I thought all the twists were done, there came a f ...more

Mortom by Erik Therme is a mystery/thriller.
First, let me thank the author for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review (Sorry it took so long Erik). All opinions are my own. (If said author wanted to provide me with another….I’d gladly accept).
My Synopsis:
Andy Crowl just inherited a house in the small town of Mortom. Andy has no idea why his cousin, Craig Moore, made him the sole beneficiary, since they barely knew one another. Mind you, by the time Andy sells the ...more
First, let me thank the author for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review (Sorry it took so long Erik). All opinions are my own. (If said author wanted to provide me with another….I’d gladly accept).
My Synopsis:
Andy Crowl just inherited a house in the small town of Mortom. Andy has no idea why his cousin, Craig Moore, made him the sole beneficiary, since they barely knew one another. Mind you, by the time Andy sells the ...more

Andy and his sister arrive in Mortom shortly after their cousin Craig's untimely death. For some unknown reason Crag has left everything to Andy even though they were not particularly close. In fact they have not even seen each other in years. The death itself has been ruled accidental, however Craig did seem to have an enemy in town. Most people just thought he was weird, odd voice, odd mannerisms, riding around on his moped. One person in particular really had it out for him though, and may ha
...more

Andy inherited a house from his cousin Craig who had just died.
Andy and his sister Katie go to Mortom to sort out the details instead they ind a dead Rat under the fridge with a piece of paper and a Key in his mouth the paper reading follow me, this begins a mysterious game with clues he has to find and work out but along the way the clues lead to unanswered questions about who was craigs dad and questions about craigs untimely death.
I thought this book was great had to keep reading to find out ...more
Andy and his sister Katie go to Mortom to sort out the details instead they ind a dead Rat under the fridge with a piece of paper and a Key in his mouth the paper reading follow me, this begins a mysterious game with clues he has to find and work out but along the way the clues lead to unanswered questions about who was craigs dad and questions about craigs untimely death.
I thought this book was great had to keep reading to find out ...more

I enjoyed this book! The characters are very accessible, the tone is engaging, the plot quickly draws the reader in, the story is plainly ridiculous but great fun and I looked forward to continuing with it. Lots of puzzles on the way that I found myself trying to figure out, trying to be clever and work out where it was going but I didn't have a clue and the end took me by surprise. Recommended if you want a light read with a bit of a punch so long as you are able to suspend belief and just go w
...more

Won through the FirstReads program and looking forward to reading it! Thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for making it available.
Disappointment abounds.
When reading the description of this book, I thought, "A PUZZLE MYSTERY!??!?!" (yes, I think in all caps when I'm really excited. It's a failing, but really doesn't bother anyone but me.) One of my all time favorite books is THE perfect example of a puzzle mystery done right ( The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin) and I've always searched for a ...more
Disappointment abounds.
When reading the description of this book, I thought, "A PUZZLE MYSTERY!??!?!" (yes, I think in all caps when I'm really excited. It's a failing, but really doesn't bother anyone but me.) One of my all time favorite books is THE perfect example of a puzzle mystery done right ( The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin) and I've always searched for a ...more

Brilliant. There are some books that just can’t pull yourself away from with the need to find out what’s going to happen, and this is definitely one of those stories. I knew I already liked Erik Therme’s writing style after I read another one of his books ‘Rest Haven’, which is another fantastic and unique story. Mortom is an edgy thriller that keeps the reader guessing. Along with some great characters it has a very interesting plot. Andy is quite surprised when he hears his cousin has died and
...more

"I hated you for having the life I never had, all all the opportunities I was never given. You weren't some weird kid who live with his weird mother , stuck in a weird little town. And if that wasn't injustice enough, all I ever heard from my mother was how I should be more like my perfect cousin. And the pathetic part is I tried."......
Andy and his sister Kate arrive in the town of Mortom. Andy has been named beneficiary in a will belonging to his late cousin, Craig. What at first seems nothing ...more
Andy and his sister Kate arrive in the town of Mortom. Andy has been named beneficiary in a will belonging to his late cousin, Craig. What at first seems nothing ...more

This book started slow for me, it took me awhile to really get into it. From the blurb I expected the story to jump right into something mysterious, action-filled, but it didn’t. I at one point, was considering not reading on, but some books have a slow start and sometimes it takes awhile for the action to begin.
After the death of their cousin Craig, Andy and his sister Kate travel to Mortom. I found it strange that Andy never attended Craig’s funeral, even though they tended to be competitive, ...more
After the death of their cousin Craig, Andy and his sister Kate travel to Mortom. I found it strange that Andy never attended Craig’s funeral, even though they tended to be competitive, ...more

3.5 stars
Andy Crowl's cousin, Craig, dies a tragic death. Although Craig and Andy were not close growing up, Craig names Andy the sole beneficiary in his will. Once Andy and his sister Kate arrive in Mortom to take stock of Andy's inheritance, which consists of a run-down house filled with junk, Andy realizes something is amiss. A dead rat with a key in its mouth leads Andy o believe that Craig has put together a game that will lead him to riches. Unable to resist the idea of unearthing treasure ...more
Andy Crowl's cousin, Craig, dies a tragic death. Although Craig and Andy were not close growing up, Craig names Andy the sole beneficiary in his will. Once Andy and his sister Kate arrive in Mortom to take stock of Andy's inheritance, which consists of a run-down house filled with junk, Andy realizes something is amiss. A dead rat with a key in its mouth leads Andy o believe that Craig has put together a game that will lead him to riches. Unable to resist the idea of unearthing treasure ...more

Review: MORTOM by Erik Therme
MORTOM is a convoluted novel involving two connected families which appear functional on their surface, but quake faults lie deep within. On the perimeter are three other families: grandfather and granddaughter, uncle and nephew, protagonist and estranged wife. All of these are interconnected; although they seen peripheral, all are vital to the progress of the story and to its backdrop: these individuals are WHY the storyline exists as it does.
MORTOM is a convoluted novel involving two connected families which appear functional on their surface, but quake faults lie deep within. On the perimeter are three other families: grandfather and granddaughter, uncle and nephew, protagonist and estranged wife. All of these are interconnected; although they seen peripheral, all are vital to the progress of the story and to its backdrop: these individuals are WHY the storyline exists as it does.

A book that catches you from the first page, the reading is fluent and rich of suspense!
When you start reading it you cannot put it down till is finished. A book to read in one breath.
In some way, the author forces you to take sides with the two protagonists. Andy and his sister, two different characters and two different way to approach the situation.
What path do you will decide to follow?
Do you want to go through all the clues with the stubborn Andry till the solution of the riddle...or will ...more
When you start reading it you cannot put it down till is finished. A book to read in one breath.
In some way, the author forces you to take sides with the two protagonists. Andy and his sister, two different characters and two different way to approach the situation.
What path do you will decide to follow?
Do you want to go through all the clues with the stubborn Andry till the solution of the riddle...or will ...more

Mortem by Erik Therme is fast a paced, suspenseful and a little bit creepy mystery. I was intrigued from the beginning and I really enjoyed the hunt for the pieces to the puzzle the main characters were trying to solve. There were lots of twits and a surprise ending. I honestly didn't see it coming.
This is the first novel I have read by the author and I'm excited to read more of his work!
Thanks to the Erik Therme and Voracious Readers Only for the Kindle copy.
...more
This is the first novel I have read by the author and I'm excited to read more of his work!
Thanks to the Erik Therme and Voracious Readers Only for the Kindle copy.
...more

Check out more reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
Andy and his sister, Kate, roll into the small town of Mortom after their cousin died. Much to the surprise of Andy and Kate, the cousin that they barely knew left everything to Andy ... including the drained bank account, a dead pet rat and a scavenger hunt. Kate doesn't think that this little game is a good idea but Andy can't seem to stop himself from barreling through the town, his aunt and all of the clues. Andy finds out that sometimes, some p ...more

Suspense filled, can't stop reading
Erik Therm has written a tantalizing suspense filled novel. He keeps the reader on edge with the continuing game,was it an accident, suicide or murder .. makes you not want to stop, but read to the end to find out if Andy finds the real solution intended. A truly suspenseful and great read. The only disappointing part is the lie he let's the sister spin. A book you certainly must read. ...more
Erik Therm has written a tantalizing suspense filled novel. He keeps the reader on edge with the continuing game,was it an accident, suicide or murder .. makes you not want to stop, but read to the end to find out if Andy finds the real solution intended. A truly suspenseful and great read. The only disappointing part is the lie he let's the sister spin. A book you certainly must read. ...more

I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Just how far would you go to unearth clues in a scavenger hunt? That’s the prevailing question in Erik Therme’s "Mortom". I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. It was well-written with clearly developed characters.
The plot was intriguing and had me captivated from page one. Therme’s book revolved around three main living characters and one deceased. Even the dead character was interesting. All of the characters were ...more
Just how far would you go to unearth clues in a scavenger hunt? That’s the prevailing question in Erik Therme’s "Mortom". I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. It was well-written with clearly developed characters.
The plot was intriguing and had me captivated from page one. Therme’s book revolved around three main living characters and one deceased. Even the dead character was interesting. All of the characters were ...more

“You dirty rat!” Well, actually in this case, the rat was a pet. Nevertheless, it’s been dead for a few days. Before Craig’s death, he stuffed a message in the rat’s mouth and left it for his cousin, Andy Crowl, to find in the house that he bequeathed to Andy in the small town of Mortom. It seems apparent from all of Craig’s planning that he’d committed suicide. The rat and its message was the first of several clues that Andy needs to follow to solve Craig’s dying secret. Andy is hoping the trea
...more

If you like fun puzzle mysteries which can be completed in 2-3 hours, then this is the book for you!
I got hooked in the first few pages with this “treasure hunt” tale. Recently divorced Andy inherits a house from his puzzle loving cousin. With help and hindrance form his sister he sets out to solve the clues with things along the way that don’t add up to what allegedly happened to the cousin. My only criticism is that it is set around 2007 so why not mobiles and an absence of computers? Then aga ...more
I got hooked in the first few pages with this “treasure hunt” tale. Recently divorced Andy inherits a house from his puzzle loving cousin. With help and hindrance form his sister he sets out to solve the clues with things along the way that don’t add up to what allegedly happened to the cousin. My only criticism is that it is set around 2007 so why not mobiles and an absence of computers? Then aga ...more

This book was a twisted and disturbing mystery. Andy is given a house when his cousin Craig dies. He and his sister Kate go to check out the house and when they get there a mystery begins. It seems their cousin, or someone, left clues behind. Andy finds himself on the search for clues around the house and in the town of Mortom. The game is on. This story was wrote to make you ask questions. What is going on? Who is doing this? And the most important question....what really happened to Craig?
Thi ...more
Thi ...more

I am a big faN of mystery books, but a lot of them disappoint me about half way through. They either get way to convoluted with their plots or I have already figured out the twist at the end. I am glad to say that neither of those scenarios came to pass while reading this book.
Andy suddenly finds himself as the recipient of Craig’s, his cousin, estate after his death. His cousin as left him clues leading to....well that would be spoilers :) The plot kept a nice pace throughout and I honestly co ...more
Andy suddenly finds himself as the recipient of Craig’s, his cousin, estate after his death. His cousin as left him clues leading to....well that would be spoilers :) The plot kept a nice pace throughout and I honestly co ...more

Aug 26, 2014
Michele Breaux-Rowley
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-reviews,
faves-new-series
Fast paced page turner, suspenseful, thrilling and mysterious. Just when you thought that you knew exactly what was going to happen next, wham, another twist. Besides the interesting premise, I had to see where this whole dead rat thing was going. Each and every clue after that kept me wondering ‘What next?’. Have to say, I am glad that there was one clue he didn’t follow through on! The ending left me sitting in stunned silence, well played Erik Therme, well played sir.
As far as character devel ...more
As far as character devel ...more

Mortom...it's a story of a treasure hunt set by a dead man for his cousin to follow....what's the prize? Who knows! All Andy knows is he has four days to solve Craig's clues, no matter what.
As well as the main story of Andy solving Craig's puzzles, there is Kate, Andy's sister who came to Mortom to pay her respects to her aunt, Craig's mum. Kate isn't too interested in the treasure hunt but she starts on her own puzzle. Are these two mysteries linked?
This book was quite addictive to read. I lov ...more
As well as the main story of Andy solving Craig's puzzles, there is Kate, Andy's sister who came to Mortom to pay her respects to her aunt, Craig's mum. Kate isn't too interested in the treasure hunt but she starts on her own puzzle. Are these two mysteries linked?
This book was quite addictive to read. I lov ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA or boys book where protagonist was left a clue to relative's treasure. [s] | 4 | 37 | Apr 05, 2020 06:46AM |
Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he can be found cheering on his youngest daughter’s volleyball team, or watching horror movies with his oldest. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature. Join Erik’s mailing list
...more
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