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Dismantling Vindictiveness
Christopher Parker’s architectural firm is in trouble. Business has dwindled during the recession. The firm’s budget is decreasing at a breakneck pace. Employees fear their funds are being tampered with, and attacks on executives outside of his firm are resulting in murder. Caught in a frightening downward spiral, Christopher, operating only on suspicions, works desperately to unravel the mystery. But time is running out on Christopher in more ways than one. While a saboteur threatens his career, a serious illness threatens his life. Christopher has to find the culprit and make peace with those he has hurt before it’s too late. And help comes from the unlikeliest of sources.
157 pages, ebook
First published October 27, 2011
7 people are currently reading
1618 people want to read
About the author
Lillian R. Melendez
3 books46 followersMystery novelist, Lillian R. Melendez was born in New York, and grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. She began to publish her work when she was very young. The arts as a whole have always been an interest, but creative writing is her passion. She received a B.A. degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Trinity University in Washington, D.C. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 30, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I felt the story was a little choppy when it came to dialogue amongst the characters and it really took me right out of the story. It came to a point where I became lost on what was going on because the storylines bounced around a lot. This one wasn't for me.
I felt the story was a little choppy when it came to dialogue amongst the characters and it really took me right out of the story. It came to a point where I became lost on what was going on because the storylines bounced around a lot. This one wasn't for me.
July 4, 2013
Dismantling Vindictiveness is Lillian R. Melendez's first novel. It is set in present times, in the midst of a bad recession. The story is set around an architectural firm in financial trouble; while it is assumed that troubles are caused by the recession, the characters soon realize that something else is going on. The story mainly focuses on multiple characters attempting to solve the mystery of which suspect is guilty of the attacks on the company and the employees.
The writing, and dialogue especially, are extremely choppy. The conversations sound very stiff and uncomfortable, largely because contractions are never used. Furthermore, the dialogue is often used to explain what the character is doing or feeling, when this would easily be inferred by the reader. This just keeps the story from moving forward and makes it extremely difficult to see the characters realistically. There are also multiple grammar and editing mistakes. Many of the plot points do not make complete sense and don't seem to fit entirely in the story. If more detail was provided, this might have worked better. Character development was very poor as well. The story would likely have improved greatly if background information was provided on each of the main characters; motives and reactions would have made more sense.
There are moments when the pace seems to pick up, and it seems as though the novel may improve. However, this is never sustained, and the choppy writing and lack of depth ultimately prevent this from being a successful novel.
**I Received This Book In A FirstReads Giveaway**
The writing, and dialogue especially, are extremely choppy. The conversations sound very stiff and uncomfortable, largely because contractions are never used. Furthermore, the dialogue is often used to explain what the character is doing or feeling, when this would easily be inferred by the reader. This just keeps the story from moving forward and makes it extremely difficult to see the characters realistically. There are also multiple grammar and editing mistakes. Many of the plot points do not make complete sense and don't seem to fit entirely in the story. If more detail was provided, this might have worked better. Character development was very poor as well. The story would likely have improved greatly if background information was provided on each of the main characters; motives and reactions would have made more sense.
There are moments when the pace seems to pick up, and it seems as though the novel may improve. However, this is never sustained, and the choppy writing and lack of depth ultimately prevent this from being a successful novel.
**I Received This Book In A FirstReads Giveaway**
December 31, 2013
After reading Auditory Viewpoint, I eagerly dove into Dismantiling Vindictiveness, by Lillian Melendez. It's quite difficult to find a good crime novel now. I still read Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But Ms. Melendez succeeded in writing great, quick fiction that leaves the reader wondering, "What will happen next?"
In Dismantiling Vindictiveness we meet a very involved cast of characters who work at, respectively, two different architechture firms, a local paper and a gift shop. Both firms are having disparate troubles and the CEOs decide to merge...even though it didn't work out well years before.
But slanderous stories start appearing in the paper about one of the firms, and the CEOs ex goes undercover to investigate those, which center around missing money, and the mysteriously deliberate hit-and-run murder committed on an employee.
All while one young employee receives mysterious letters warning him about something untoward happening.
This is a classic whodunnit with a story so involved it seems like Agatha Christie decided to wrire an episode of General Hospital (and I mean that as a compliment!).
Check this book out as soon as you can if you enjoy crime novels. It's a fast, fun, head-scratching read!
4/5--great!
In Dismantiling Vindictiveness we meet a very involved cast of characters who work at, respectively, two different architechture firms, a local paper and a gift shop. Both firms are having disparate troubles and the CEOs decide to merge...even though it didn't work out well years before.
But slanderous stories start appearing in the paper about one of the firms, and the CEOs ex goes undercover to investigate those, which center around missing money, and the mysteriously deliberate hit-and-run murder committed on an employee.
All while one young employee receives mysterious letters warning him about something untoward happening.
This is a classic whodunnit with a story so involved it seems like Agatha Christie decided to wrire an episode of General Hospital (and I mean that as a compliment!).
Check this book out as soon as you can if you enjoy crime novels. It's a fast, fun, head-scratching read!
4/5--great!
January 3, 2021
This was a goodreads giveaway, and the second I have won from this author. I DNF’d the first one, but managed to soldier through this one. It is just not good. Plot points are confusing, dialogue is stilted. I wondered if it was a bad translation due to sentence structure and a lack of contractions. There’re places where it feels like editing was done to address some of the grammatical issues, and other sections where it is the same old thing. It needs a lot of work to become readable.
August 30, 2021
Great Who Done It
A lot of twist and turns in this book.
Ms. Melendez has a great grasp of how to keep your attention and how many firms run, politics. Screw some employees over in order to keep living above your means.
Family troubles and hurt feelings keeping some members from working together for years.
Murders, attempted murder and ruining the businesses.
It's a fast read and a fun read, all in one.
A lot of twist and turns in this book.
Ms. Melendez has a great grasp of how to keep your attention and how many firms run, politics. Screw some employees over in order to keep living above your means.
Family troubles and hurt feelings keeping some members from working together for years.
Murders, attempted murder and ruining the businesses.
It's a fast read and a fun read, all in one.
March 14, 2021
Sadly I am unable to write a positive reading experience as there were numerous issues with the story, writing, grammar, as well as a seemingly lack of editing/review. I can only suggest the author obtain someone to assist her with this and future endeavors.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain a copy of this book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain a copy of this book.
September 6, 2021
Just awful. Horribly stilted and unrealistic dialogue. I couldn't even read past a dozen pages. Same as her other novel. I won't be tempted to read anything by this author again. Also my digital copy was really messed up.
June 9, 2012
An interesting story destroyed by the poor copy editing.
January 19, 2024
In Dismantling Vindictiveness, Lillian R. Melendez crafts a narrative set against the backdrop of the corporate world, deftly intertwining elements of mystery and suspense. The protagonist, Oscar, CEO of an architectural firm, finds himself navigating the treacherous waters of a financial recession. His company's dwindling finances and the consequent risk to his employees set the stage for a compelling tale of corporate survival. The plot thickens as Christopher Parker, an old acquaintance, enters the fray, offering his consulting services to Oscar's beleaguered business. Yet, as both their companies start to encounter escalating troubles, the story delves into a complex web of corporate espionage, financial crises, and journalistic detective work, all while posing a direct threat to the characters' lives.
Melendez's storytelling prowess is evident from the opening chapter, where she skillfully plants seeds of mystery, using intriguing lines like, "something I drank had some kind of rare poison in it, they thought it was the weather at first…It’s strange, what I drank made my immune system drop to a low level." This initial enigma captures the reader's interest, propelling them forward in search of answers.
The narrative benefits from concise chapters that maintain a brisk pace, continually keeping the reader engaged and eager for more. I believe the story's momentum, rich with engaging dialogue and vivid descriptions, maintains its allure despite a few instances of repetition. These moments, such as the occasional reiteration of a character's "average height," are mere ripples in what feel is an engaging current of narrative, and they scarcely impinge upon the reader's immersion in the book's captivating storyline.
Melendez has woven a tale that consistently piques curiosity, ensuring that readers remain invested in the unfolding events and the fate of her characters. Her ability to blend mystery and suspense into the fabric of the plot is noteworthy, making Dismantling Vindictiveness a recommended read for those who enjoy a well-crafted story set in the corporate arena.
Melendez's storytelling prowess is evident from the opening chapter, where she skillfully plants seeds of mystery, using intriguing lines like, "something I drank had some kind of rare poison in it, they thought it was the weather at first…It’s strange, what I drank made my immune system drop to a low level." This initial enigma captures the reader's interest, propelling them forward in search of answers.
The narrative benefits from concise chapters that maintain a brisk pace, continually keeping the reader engaged and eager for more. I believe the story's momentum, rich with engaging dialogue and vivid descriptions, maintains its allure despite a few instances of repetition. These moments, such as the occasional reiteration of a character's "average height," are mere ripples in what feel is an engaging current of narrative, and they scarcely impinge upon the reader's immersion in the book's captivating storyline.
Melendez has woven a tale that consistently piques curiosity, ensuring that readers remain invested in the unfolding events and the fate of her characters. Her ability to blend mystery and suspense into the fabric of the plot is noteworthy, making Dismantling Vindictiveness a recommended read for those who enjoy a well-crafted story set in the corporate arena.
April 21, 2020
*I received this ebook free through a goodreads giveaway*
I love the giveaways that I have won because it made me read books I wouldn't have read otherwise and most of them have been quite good. Sadly, this one is the exception. I rarely give one star reviews but it isn't fair (to other more deserving books) to not be honest. There is one huge problem with this book and every other problem seems to be a result of this problem. I have to assume that this book was written and edited in a different language and then translated directly into English (as this would never get past an English editor). The grammar in this book is atrocious - even to the point of not understanding what the author is trying to say. Also, there are lots of misspelled words, incorrect words, etc. I can't really weigh in on the story as it is virtually impossible to follow as is. I couldn't keep the characters straight as, again, too hard to follow. If I had not gotten this as a giveaway, I would have DNFed (did not finish) it very early on.
I wish I had read the reviews before submitting for this giveaway. I would not have bothered. I see some of the other reviews (naming the same problem) are 6 and 7 years old so there has been plenty of time to address this problem but nothing was done? This book is thankfully short but I still feel robbed of the reading time. Don't waste your time on this one.
I love the giveaways that I have won because it made me read books I wouldn't have read otherwise and most of them have been quite good. Sadly, this one is the exception. I rarely give one star reviews but it isn't fair (to other more deserving books) to not be honest. There is one huge problem with this book and every other problem seems to be a result of this problem. I have to assume that this book was written and edited in a different language and then translated directly into English (as this would never get past an English editor). The grammar in this book is atrocious - even to the point of not understanding what the author is trying to say. Also, there are lots of misspelled words, incorrect words, etc. I can't really weigh in on the story as it is virtually impossible to follow as is. I couldn't keep the characters straight as, again, too hard to follow. If I had not gotten this as a giveaway, I would have DNFed (did not finish) it very early on.
I wish I had read the reviews before submitting for this giveaway. I would not have bothered. I see some of the other reviews (naming the same problem) are 6 and 7 years old so there has been plenty of time to address this problem but nothing was done? This book is thankfully short but I still feel robbed of the reading time. Don't waste your time on this one.
September 12, 2020
From Theodocia McLean of the Book Marketing Global Network:
Dismantling Vindictiveness by Lillian R. Melendez begin with main character Oscar in bed sick with what doctors believe is a rare poisoning. Oscar owns a successful architecture firm, OSG Architects.
Along with the suspected poisoning, a new mystery unfolds as Bruce, one of the architects at the firm, gets a letter warning him, “You don’t know that you are a part of past events that have nothing to do with you, yet, considering the architect firm you are currently working for, it has everything to do with you. Watch the news closely.”
After Oscar moves to partner with Christopher Parker, who is the CEO of Christopher Q. Parker Architect firm in Philadelphia, suspicions start to rise. Oscar warns his brother, George to “Stay away from Christopher. He’s not your friend, not a business partner. He’s leading you into a trap.”
As if there weren’t enough conspiracies, The Disclosure Daily Tribune headline reads: “OSG Architects Making A Reverse, With Budget Crisis and Employees Retirement Funds Tampering Concerns”.
Conspiracies have deadly serious consequences when one of the firm's architects is killed in a hit and run outside a local tavern.
Can a handful of architects at OSG Architects, along with some outside help, use their impeccable organizational skills to discover who among them are sabotaging the firm?
If you like unraveling a mystery, you will enjoy this book.
Dismantling Vindictiveness by Lillian R. Melendez begin with main character Oscar in bed sick with what doctors believe is a rare poisoning. Oscar owns a successful architecture firm, OSG Architects.
Along with the suspected poisoning, a new mystery unfolds as Bruce, one of the architects at the firm, gets a letter warning him, “You don’t know that you are a part of past events that have nothing to do with you, yet, considering the architect firm you are currently working for, it has everything to do with you. Watch the news closely.”
After Oscar moves to partner with Christopher Parker, who is the CEO of Christopher Q. Parker Architect firm in Philadelphia, suspicions start to rise. Oscar warns his brother, George to “Stay away from Christopher. He’s not your friend, not a business partner. He’s leading you into a trap.”
As if there weren’t enough conspiracies, The Disclosure Daily Tribune headline reads: “OSG Architects Making A Reverse, With Budget Crisis and Employees Retirement Funds Tampering Concerns”.
Conspiracies have deadly serious consequences when one of the firm's architects is killed in a hit and run outside a local tavern.
Can a handful of architects at OSG Architects, along with some outside help, use their impeccable organizational skills to discover who among them are sabotaging the firm?
If you like unraveling a mystery, you will enjoy this book.
October 2, 2021
This review is only going to cover the audiobook version.
I didn’t find the story of this book all that interesting or compelling, to begin with. But the narrator is just one of the most boring, lifeless, dull, monotone readers I’ve ever listened to. Every character sounds the same. It’s difficult to tell who is talking most of the time.
Listening to this audiobook is comparable to a lawyer reading a legal document without any enthusiasm or gusto. This book put me to sleep twice. It was so unmemorable, I forgot I was even in the middle of a book and started a new book. When I was deleting the other book from my phone, I noticed this one and realized I didn’t remember a thing about it.
My position of read it or don’t read it should be obvious. Though I have to say, the narrator would have a promising career reading children’s bedtime stories. I’m pretty sure he could put an insomniac to sleep.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
I didn’t find the story of this book all that interesting or compelling, to begin with. But the narrator is just one of the most boring, lifeless, dull, monotone readers I’ve ever listened to. Every character sounds the same. It’s difficult to tell who is talking most of the time.
Listening to this audiobook is comparable to a lawyer reading a legal document without any enthusiasm or gusto. This book put me to sleep twice. It was so unmemorable, I forgot I was even in the middle of a book and started a new book. When I was deleting the other book from my phone, I noticed this one and realized I didn’t remember a thing about it.
My position of read it or don’t read it should be obvious. Though I have to say, the narrator would have a promising career reading children’s bedtime stories. I’m pretty sure he could put an insomniac to sleep.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
November 17, 2021
This review is only going to cover the audiobook version.
I didn’t find the story of this book all that interesting or compelling, to begin with. But the narrator is just one of the most boring, lifeless, dull, monotone readers I’ve ever listened to. Every character sounds the same. It’s difficult to tell who is talking most of the time.
Listening to this audiobook is comparable to a lawyer reading a legal document without any enthusiasm or gusto. This book put me to sleep twice. It was so unmemorable, I forgot I was even in the middle of a book and started a new book. When I was deleting the other book from my phone, I noticed this one and realized I didn’t remember a thing about it.
My position of read it or don’t read it should be obvious. Though I have to say, the narrator would have a promising career reading children’s bedtime stories. I’m pretty sure he could put an insomniac to sleep.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
I didn’t find the story of this book all that interesting or compelling, to begin with. But the narrator is just one of the most boring, lifeless, dull, monotone readers I’ve ever listened to. Every character sounds the same. It’s difficult to tell who is talking most of the time.
Listening to this audiobook is comparable to a lawyer reading a legal document without any enthusiasm or gusto. This book put me to sleep twice. It was so unmemorable, I forgot I was even in the middle of a book and started a new book. When I was deleting the other book from my phone, I noticed this one and realized I didn’t remember a thing about it.
My position of read it or don’t read it should be obvious. Though I have to say, the narrator would have a promising career reading children’s bedtime stories. I’m pretty sure he could put an insomniac to sleep.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
December 27, 2020
A high-stakes game of sinister conspiracies, greed, and murder plays out in Melendez’s debut suspense thriller set in Philadelphia.
OSG Architects, a flourishing architect firm, suddenly begins to see a downward spiral. The market is hit by recession, and to stay afloat, Oscar, OSG’s owner, decides to merge with another Architect firm. But the downward spiral continues. Soon, it becomes clear that there’s more to firm’s downfall than the extensive slump in the market. The stakes rise when an employee is found murdered.
Melendez employs enough foreshadowing to keep the suspense rolling, and her large cast of characters adds humanistic layer to the book’s high-tension incidents. However, stiff dialogue and occasional plot improbabilities mar the reading experience.
The issues of widespread recession and job loss make the story thoroughly relevant in today’s pandemic-hit world. Full of interesting characters and simple but resonant plotline, this suspense thriller will appeal to novice thriller readers.
OSG Architects, a flourishing architect firm, suddenly begins to see a downward spiral. The market is hit by recession, and to stay afloat, Oscar, OSG’s owner, decides to merge with another Architect firm. But the downward spiral continues. Soon, it becomes clear that there’s more to firm’s downfall than the extensive slump in the market. The stakes rise when an employee is found murdered.
Melendez employs enough foreshadowing to keep the suspense rolling, and her large cast of characters adds humanistic layer to the book’s high-tension incidents. However, stiff dialogue and occasional plot improbabilities mar the reading experience.
The issues of widespread recession and job loss make the story thoroughly relevant in today’s pandemic-hit world. Full of interesting characters and simple but resonant plotline, this suspense thriller will appeal to novice thriller readers.
July 22, 2020
DNF at 35%
I received this book in exchange for am honest review.
I got this book at the same time I got Auditory Viewpoint and unfortunately they had the same issues.
The writing is very stilted and the dialogue is uncomfortable. This is because the writing is overly formal and the dialogue itself is very rigid. The way the characters speak to each other is entirely unrealistic and the fact that characters often say what they are doing in that moment is another negative factor.
Unfortunately, I found that the further along I got into the book, the lower my level of interest in the plot fell.
I received this book in exchange for am honest review.
I got this book at the same time I got Auditory Viewpoint and unfortunately they had the same issues.
The writing is very stilted and the dialogue is uncomfortable. This is because the writing is overly formal and the dialogue itself is very rigid. The way the characters speak to each other is entirely unrealistic and the fact that characters often say what they are doing in that moment is another negative factor.
Unfortunately, I found that the further along I got into the book, the lower my level of interest in the plot fell.
July 3, 2020
This had the potential to be a decent book.
The plot was underdeveloped. The grammatical errors were bountiful. Seems like the book was written in a different language and translated to English. This caused awkward sentence structure and redundancy. Character names were flipped many times.
Although this book was released in 2016, edits have still not been made.
I won a Kindle copy of this book through #GoodreadsGiveaway
The plot was underdeveloped. The grammatical errors were bountiful. Seems like the book was written in a different language and translated to English. This caused awkward sentence structure and redundancy. Character names were flipped many times.
Although this book was released in 2016, edits have still not been made.
I won a Kindle copy of this book through #GoodreadsGiveaway
May 22, 2020
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
An architect firm is on the verge of bankrupt and employees fear their funds are being tampered with. As executives somehow manages to be murdered. Are they being sabotage? It will be up to the owner to find out what is going on before it is too late.
Who is the real culprit behind the scenes?
An architect firm is on the verge of bankrupt and employees fear their funds are being tampered with. As executives somehow manages to be murdered. Are they being sabotage? It will be up to the owner to find out what is going on before it is too late.
Who is the real culprit behind the scenes?
March 11, 2021
First, I want to thank Goodreads for this giveaway book. The story is about an architectural firm that has had financial troubles during a recession. It's definitely a who done it mystery, unfortunately the story is very choppy and difficult to follow. The book reads as if it was written in a different language and the translation was not smooth.
September 27, 2021
I really wanted to get into this story, but I honestly had trouble following what was going on. By the end, things started to make sense as all was revealed.
I’ll probably revisit this in the future to see if a fresh set of eyes and ears makes a difference.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
I’ll probably revisit this in the future to see if a fresh set of eyes and ears makes a difference.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
August 8, 2020
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like it. I enjoyed Lillian Melendez’s other book, Auditory Viewpoint. The writing in this was very choppy and there was too much going on for me to be able to follow it.
May 1, 2021
Review of Dismantling Vindictiveness
I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. I found the book to be disconnected. I found myself looking at pages I had already read it was hard to follow.
I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. I found the book to be disconnected. I found myself looking at pages I had already read it was hard to follow.
April 21, 2020
Kept my attention throughout
June 29, 2021
A complex thriller that left me guessing until the end.
February 6, 2024
This book was only 62 pages long, not a full novel. So I really can’t recommend this book since it only had 2 chapters. Maybe the full novel is worth reading?
November 16, 2022
(Won this book on goodreads) The concept was good but the reading seemed elementary or bland. Felt like too many characters and everyone was too nice. Even when the character was angry or should have been it felt they were just a "gosh darn it" attitude. If made the story a little unbelievable.
September 9, 2013
Dismantling Vindictiveness marks author Lillian R. Melendez's first foray into the creative writing rat race, and she makes her first impression on the devoted page turners by providing them with a story about murder and deceit inside architect Christopher Parker's firm that promises many twists and turns within.
Parker is a man whom is suffering from rapidly declining health, and the sight of his architectural business collapsing amidst a voracious recession hasn't aided any sort of recovery effort in his favor. If that weren't enough to mentally sink any human being, his employees have been grumbling behind the scenes about supposedly interposed wages, and the business's funds have been shrinking faster than a snowball in a blast furnace. Some of his high-ranking workers are falling victim to senseless attacks and Christopher is left wondering what the reasoning is behind them, and after one top level company man is murdered, Parker holds a few employees in his mind as possible offenders, but cannot cement a definitive answer.
The race against time is on as Christopher's health slides the downward slope, and he fears the worst for his immediate family & friends, and we see a side of his character later on in the novel that almost turns a 180 degree about-face, abandoning the cold-hearted corporate stonewall persona, and taking on the role of a caring and emoted complexion. His concern for the people that he blind-sided early on in his career is now taking a front seat to his own health concerns, and for that, I applauded his actions.
The action does take some time to progress as there is a professedly sizeable amount of dialogue in the novel itself, almost slowing the story down to a molasses-like crawl at some points. I also am a reader who LOVES to have a picture painted for me as far as scenery is concerned, and the graphic and intricate descriptions that come along with them from some different authors, and that unfortunately was missing in Melendez's storytelling aptitude. There also were a handful of grammar slip-ups that detracted from specific points in the book, and I found myself reading lines over and over again to see if it was just my own eyes that were playing tricks on me. But I refuse to weigh heavily on the negatives here, as just past the refutations is a decent espionage story that twists and turns your mind around in numerous directions - just when you think you're one step ahead of a character's thoughts....POW....a change in latitude that will have you reassessing your ability to decipher assured actions.
In the end, Dismantling Vindictiveness is an even-handed first attempt at murder-mystery writing, and if Melendez can cut down on the glut of confab between characters, then the story can have more life breathed into it..as the saying goes "less is more". If you're into the whole corporate backstabbing, scheming & swindling, with a tidy murder conundrum tied in, then this book is worth your time & money - ENJOY !
Parker is a man whom is suffering from rapidly declining health, and the sight of his architectural business collapsing amidst a voracious recession hasn't aided any sort of recovery effort in his favor. If that weren't enough to mentally sink any human being, his employees have been grumbling behind the scenes about supposedly interposed wages, and the business's funds have been shrinking faster than a snowball in a blast furnace. Some of his high-ranking workers are falling victim to senseless attacks and Christopher is left wondering what the reasoning is behind them, and after one top level company man is murdered, Parker holds a few employees in his mind as possible offenders, but cannot cement a definitive answer.
The race against time is on as Christopher's health slides the downward slope, and he fears the worst for his immediate family & friends, and we see a side of his character later on in the novel that almost turns a 180 degree about-face, abandoning the cold-hearted corporate stonewall persona, and taking on the role of a caring and emoted complexion. His concern for the people that he blind-sided early on in his career is now taking a front seat to his own health concerns, and for that, I applauded his actions.
The action does take some time to progress as there is a professedly sizeable amount of dialogue in the novel itself, almost slowing the story down to a molasses-like crawl at some points. I also am a reader who LOVES to have a picture painted for me as far as scenery is concerned, and the graphic and intricate descriptions that come along with them from some different authors, and that unfortunately was missing in Melendez's storytelling aptitude. There also were a handful of grammar slip-ups that detracted from specific points in the book, and I found myself reading lines over and over again to see if it was just my own eyes that were playing tricks on me. But I refuse to weigh heavily on the negatives here, as just past the refutations is a decent espionage story that twists and turns your mind around in numerous directions - just when you think you're one step ahead of a character's thoughts....POW....a change in latitude that will have you reassessing your ability to decipher assured actions.
In the end, Dismantling Vindictiveness is an even-handed first attempt at murder-mystery writing, and if Melendez can cut down on the glut of confab between characters, then the story can have more life breathed into it..as the saying goes "less is more". If you're into the whole corporate backstabbing, scheming & swindling, with a tidy murder conundrum tied in, then this book is worth your time & money - ENJOY !
September 1, 2014
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The economy is bad. Many firms are laying off workers. Christopher Parker is CEO of his architectural firm. His firm seems to be doing well despite the bad economy until employees complain that their retirement funds are disappearing, several top employees encounter accidents, and newspaper articles trashing the company start appearing daily. It seems that Christopher had some dirty dealings years ago, and cheated his former partners: Oscar Garcia, who now has an architectural firm of his own, and Andrew Stone who is now a college professor. The stress is causing Christopher heart trouble. Someone is trying to hurt Christopher by attacking his company and employees. Perhaps it is payback for his sins of the past.
Many characters run around trying to solve the mystery, but it is not always clear how they are related to each other. The story would benefit from earlier and better descriptions of who the characters are and how they are related. Perhaps this was meant to be part of the mystery? I eventually worked it out, but this was a source of much confusion for me.
The first chapter seems to take place in the present, with the successive chapters leading up to the events of the first chapter? This wasn't stated, and I kept flipping back trying to figure out if there was any indication of the timing of the first chapter vs later chapters.
The premise is intriguing, and the short chapters make this a quick easy read. As a Philadelphian, I enjoyed the local references.
Sentence structure seems awkward, as though it was written by someone whose first language is not English, or written in another language and then translated into English.
These sentences had me howling:
Example sentence #1: "This woman of average height got potential stories as a freelancer and ideas for her small business with great focus, like her piercing eyes."
Example sentence #2: "He compared writing editorials to starting over with an easy clean slate like his shiny bald head."
Repeated references to "cheese stakes" (cheese steaks) and "draw" (for drawer) drove me crazy. I'm not sure where this book stands in the editing process, but the whole book would benefit from a good editor.
The economy is bad. Many firms are laying off workers. Christopher Parker is CEO of his architectural firm. His firm seems to be doing well despite the bad economy until employees complain that their retirement funds are disappearing, several top employees encounter accidents, and newspaper articles trashing the company start appearing daily. It seems that Christopher had some dirty dealings years ago, and cheated his former partners: Oscar Garcia, who now has an architectural firm of his own, and Andrew Stone who is now a college professor. The stress is causing Christopher heart trouble. Someone is trying to hurt Christopher by attacking his company and employees. Perhaps it is payback for his sins of the past.
Many characters run around trying to solve the mystery, but it is not always clear how they are related to each other. The story would benefit from earlier and better descriptions of who the characters are and how they are related. Perhaps this was meant to be part of the mystery? I eventually worked it out, but this was a source of much confusion for me.
The first chapter seems to take place in the present, with the successive chapters leading up to the events of the first chapter? This wasn't stated, and I kept flipping back trying to figure out if there was any indication of the timing of the first chapter vs later chapters.
The premise is intriguing, and the short chapters make this a quick easy read. As a Philadelphian, I enjoyed the local references.
Sentence structure seems awkward, as though it was written by someone whose first language is not English, or written in another language and then translated into English.
These sentences had me howling:
Example sentence #1: "This woman of average height got potential stories as a freelancer and ideas for her small business with great focus, like her piercing eyes."
Example sentence #2: "He compared writing editorials to starting over with an easy clean slate like his shiny bald head."
Repeated references to "cheese stakes" (cheese steaks) and "draw" (for drawer) drove me crazy. I'm not sure where this book stands in the editing process, but the whole book would benefit from a good editor.
May 22, 2014
It is actually not advisable to go into business with friends without a distinct exit plan. It is far too easy for the friendships to dissolve and things can get very messy as happens in this novel. Christopher Parker is one of those entrepreneurs who wants it all and does things that ultimately he is ashamed of having done. He accuses one of the other partners of stealing money from the firm and effectively ends his career as an architect. The other partner realizes that there is something fishy going on-leaves on his own and starts his own firm. Now, many years later people are getting badly hurt-they are all from Christopher's firm. As Chris tries to figure out who is trying to take down his firm he ends up getting help from someone in his past.
So who is the person trying to take Christopher and his firm down? I did not guess who done it until near the end
Obviously I am not going to tell you-you will just have to read this for yourselves. I did find this to be a fast read and would be great for a day at the beach or better yet--while you are heading to work on a subway or train-or perhaps your lunch hour and breaks for a day or two----Dismantling Vindictiveness
So who is the person trying to take Christopher and his firm down? I did not guess who done it until near the end
Obviously I am not going to tell you-you will just have to read this for yourselves. I did find this to be a fast read and would be great for a day at the beach or better yet--while you are heading to work on a subway or train-or perhaps your lunch hour and breaks for a day or two----Dismantling Vindictiveness
April 14, 2013
Dismantling Vindictiveness is about Christopher Parker who is the CEO and owner of Christopher Q. Parker Architect firm. Someone is sabotaging his firm after he took over 50% of OSG Architects. He knows that his firm will survive the recession by making changes in his company. Soon the top management employees are being attacked. When one of them is killed, Christopher went to the the newspaper company that has been publishing negative news about his company.
Christopher has made many enemies as when he stabbed several people in the back to make his company successful. Is someone from his past seeking revenge? Christopher just can't believe someone within his firm is out for him yet the evidences just seemed to point in that direction.
Dismantling Vindictiveness is about ambition and hurting people along the way. It is also looking back and trying to make peace with the people that were hurt in the process. It is a very simple mystery with motives and so many suspects who have a grudge against Christopher.
Readers will love this book. It is also written for sixth graders and up to read.
Christopher has made many enemies as when he stabbed several people in the back to make his company successful. Is someone from his past seeking revenge? Christopher just can't believe someone within his firm is out for him yet the evidences just seemed to point in that direction.
Dismantling Vindictiveness is about ambition and hurting people along the way. It is also looking back and trying to make peace with the people that were hurt in the process. It is a very simple mystery with motives and so many suspects who have a grudge against Christopher.
Readers will love this book. It is also written for sixth graders and up to read.
October 7, 2013
I read a mystery by the author Lillian R Melendez called Dismantling Vindictiveness. It is a story of Christopher Parker and co-workers, and family members. Someone is trying to sabotage him and his business. Everytime I thought I figured it out something else would happen. He has his nephew, and his friend helping him. There is also a writer for the Discloser Daily Tribune helping out too. In the end its the last one I expected. I hope Lillian will write some more books like this.I cant wait to read some more of her books. It was a great book.
Sandy Foltz
Way2Kool Designs Review
www.way2kooldesigns.com
Sandy Foltz
Way2Kool Designs Review
www.way2kooldesigns.com
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