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Tears of Abandon
Several college friends start planning a two week kayak trip down an Alaskan river during late summer 1992. Soon there are five young people headed to Alaska for a river expedition. As the trip unfolds and the group gets farther into the wilderness a strange whispering sound attracts their attention. The wonderful vacation begins to take a turn for the worse when they follow the sounds and find something long lost and quite unexpected.
164 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2014
44 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Phipps
20 books1,531 followersOliver served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army and studied at MSC. In the late 1980s through mid 90s Oliver pursued his love of music. He enjoyed traveling, playing percussion and writing lyrics for popular bands. During this time Oliver also began writing short stories and articles.
After playing for thousands through the fall and winter of 1996 Oliver's band abruptly disbanded. In early spring of 1997 Oliver along with a good friend who was a guitarist got together with the intention to form a new group. But rather than form a new band the two put together an expedition plan for traveling to Northern Canada and Alaska in order to prospect for gold.
Leaving in April of 1997 Oliver and company traveled up the historic AL-CAN highway. After exploring the Yukon and Northwest territories of Canada as well as the Arctic Circle the team traveled over the Top of the World highway to Alaska.
1999-2000 Oliver traveled through Asia, visiting Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan among other countries.
In 2004 Oliver published his first book and continues to write books, articles and short stories. Currently Oliver and family reside happily in the U.S.
After playing for thousands through the fall and winter of 1996 Oliver's band abruptly disbanded. In early spring of 1997 Oliver along with a good friend who was a guitarist got together with the intention to form a new group. But rather than form a new band the two put together an expedition plan for traveling to Northern Canada and Alaska in order to prospect for gold.
Leaving in April of 1997 Oliver and company traveled up the historic AL-CAN highway. After exploring the Yukon and Northwest territories of Canada as well as the Arctic Circle the team traveled over the Top of the World highway to Alaska.
1999-2000 Oliver traveled through Asia, visiting Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan among other countries.
In 2004 Oliver published his first book and continues to write books, articles and short stories. Currently Oliver and family reside happily in the U.S.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 16, 2015
See full review @ Katie's Corner
This is the second book that I’ve read by Oliver Phipps. The first one was A Tempest Soul. Tears of Abandon is absolutely amazing book. It hooked me up from the first pages and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it. The style of writing and the language of the book makes the reader feel as if he/she is inside the book, rather just being a solely observer. Oliver Phipps doesn’t just state something, but he makes small arrangements here and there, tells us small details, keeping us on the thin line between the truth and our own imagination. And even in the end he just leaves the ending open, so we can think of our own ending, to give our imagination a stepping-stone to interpret every mystery how we like.
I enjoyed the book for many reasons: definitely for its description of wilderness and the human nature. I really liked how the author portrayed the characters. Every one of them was interesting n a way. And when the things turned to the worse everyone showed their true nature. From some you expected no less, but it still shocks you how some people act in different situations. The way Phipps describes Alaska, or just nature, makes you see it right in front of you.
It may be only me, but whenever I’m reading suspense or a mystery. And if there is either ghost town or gold hunting involved, my imagination starts working on it own, drawing conclusions, making hypothesis as to why this or that happened and a lot of “What if”-s. Somewhere in the middle of the book the book this whole process started, and then because I spooked myself with my theories I had to stop otherwise I was going to start seeing all those ghost in real life. Okay getting back to the story.
Are you a fan of a mystery story, which spooks you a lot and leaves you with a feeling that everything just told is real? Were you just planning to go kayaking in Alaska? Or you just want something short to read but with a good style and a great quality? Well, this book is just for you! Find yourself in a quite a mismatching company of friends. Stay with them though their journey down the Alaskan river, and find yourself lost and confused in a lost city. Are you reading for this kind of adventure? Grab your copy now; get a comfortable chair a cup of hot tea or coffee and indulge yourself in this amazing work by Oliver Phipps.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Oliver Phipps. The first one was A Tempest Soul. Tears of Abandon is absolutely amazing book. It hooked me up from the first pages and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it. The style of writing and the language of the book makes the reader feel as if he/she is inside the book, rather just being a solely observer. Oliver Phipps doesn’t just state something, but he makes small arrangements here and there, tells us small details, keeping us on the thin line between the truth and our own imagination. And even in the end he just leaves the ending open, so we can think of our own ending, to give our imagination a stepping-stone to interpret every mystery how we like.
I enjoyed the book for many reasons: definitely for its description of wilderness and the human nature. I really liked how the author portrayed the characters. Every one of them was interesting n a way. And when the things turned to the worse everyone showed their true nature. From some you expected no less, but it still shocks you how some people act in different situations. The way Phipps describes Alaska, or just nature, makes you see it right in front of you.
It may be only me, but whenever I’m reading suspense or a mystery. And if there is either ghost town or gold hunting involved, my imagination starts working on it own, drawing conclusions, making hypothesis as to why this or that happened and a lot of “What if”-s. Somewhere in the middle of the book the book this whole process started, and then because I spooked myself with my theories I had to stop otherwise I was going to start seeing all those ghost in real life. Okay getting back to the story.
Are you a fan of a mystery story, which spooks you a lot and leaves you with a feeling that everything just told is real? Were you just planning to go kayaking in Alaska? Or you just want something short to read but with a good style and a great quality? Well, this book is just for you! Find yourself in a quite a mismatching company of friends. Stay with them though their journey down the Alaskan river, and find yourself lost and confused in a lost city. Are you reading for this kind of adventure? Grab your copy now; get a comfortable chair a cup of hot tea or coffee and indulge yourself in this amazing work by Oliver Phipps.
September 20, 2017
TBHOS BOOK REVIEWS
A Review by Nicole S. Aviles
Tears of Abandon by Oliver Phipps
Tears of Abandon by Oliver Phipps, is my FOURTH Phipps novel. I connected with his other books (Tempest Soul, etc.) a bit more than I do with suspense, but over-all I still liked and enjoyed it.
In the past, I have done thoroughly explained reviews but at the cost of losing the shock value, I am not going to summarize this one. What I will say is that it's a chilling tale of mystery and absolutely thrilling.
I like Phipps because his writing style and prose are very delicate. His characters are never exaggerated or ridiculous, they are real, regular humans in extraordinary circumstances. Like Stephen King, he picks every day people. I appreciate that. I think that Phipps has grown a lot, I see the differences from the first novels, to the latest, and if you enjoy an author who is willing to dabble in multi-genre'd fictional stories, then Phipps is your man!
Tears - is a very interesting read, with plenty of surprises! It opens with a mystique that follows through to the end. Only small grammatical errors caused the book to be of slightly less value, but cleaned up this one is a killer story, and may just be one of the better ones. A very tricky, and unique plot makes this one a very good penning, and I guarantee you won't know the ending, making it original!!! Though some errors as stated, the creative plot makes this one still, five stars for me. GREAT book, highly recommended.
Great read.
A Review by Nicole S. Aviles
Tears of Abandon by Oliver Phipps
Tears of Abandon by Oliver Phipps, is my FOURTH Phipps novel. I connected with his other books (Tempest Soul, etc.) a bit more than I do with suspense, but over-all I still liked and enjoyed it.
In the past, I have done thoroughly explained reviews but at the cost of losing the shock value, I am not going to summarize this one. What I will say is that it's a chilling tale of mystery and absolutely thrilling.
I like Phipps because his writing style and prose are very delicate. His characters are never exaggerated or ridiculous, they are real, regular humans in extraordinary circumstances. Like Stephen King, he picks every day people. I appreciate that. I think that Phipps has grown a lot, I see the differences from the first novels, to the latest, and if you enjoy an author who is willing to dabble in multi-genre'd fictional stories, then Phipps is your man!
Tears - is a very interesting read, with plenty of surprises! It opens with a mystique that follows through to the end. Only small grammatical errors caused the book to be of slightly less value, but cleaned up this one is a killer story, and may just be one of the better ones. A very tricky, and unique plot makes this one a very good penning, and I guarantee you won't know the ending, making it original!!! Though some errors as stated, the creative plot makes this one still, five stars for me. GREAT book, highly recommended.
Great read.
November 27, 2017
I loveddddd ittttt!!!
Wow! What started out as a mystery quickly turned into a creepy ghost story. I loved it! You have to read this book.
The book starts out as Jack, Cindy, and Rich want to go kayaking in Alaska. They talk Drew and his new girlfriend Beth into coming along. So they hop a plane to Alaska and spend the night in a hotel. The next morning, they are greeted by a van with 3 kayaks. They stop at a store for supplies. Beth, fascinated by a bottle learns from the store owner it came from a lost town called Whisper from the gold rush days. Drew buys it for her.
They make their way down the river. Bout two weeks later they hear a whispering sound and stop to explore. They found abandon cabins and a cave w a hole in ground. This is where the whispering is coming from. But its human voices. It is a ghost town. Will they make it out alive? That is for you to read.
I loved this book and highly recommend its creepiness.
Wow! What started out as a mystery quickly turned into a creepy ghost story. I loved it! You have to read this book.
The book starts out as Jack, Cindy, and Rich want to go kayaking in Alaska. They talk Drew and his new girlfriend Beth into coming along. So they hop a plane to Alaska and spend the night in a hotel. The next morning, they are greeted by a van with 3 kayaks. They stop at a store for supplies. Beth, fascinated by a bottle learns from the store owner it came from a lost town called Whisper from the gold rush days. Drew buys it for her.
They make their way down the river. Bout two weeks later they hear a whispering sound and stop to explore. They found abandon cabins and a cave w a hole in ground. This is where the whispering is coming from. But its human voices. It is a ghost town. Will they make it out alive? That is for you to read.
I loved this book and highly recommend its creepiness.
January 25, 2015
This story started off slow but the pace really helps as the story progresses. Too many times, I've read suspense stories that sprint through description, leaving the reader either confused as to what's going on or unable to visualize the action. That wasn't the case with this book.
The premise is simple - a bunch of friends go camping in Alaska but find it won't be as leisurely as they expect. Oliver captures the spirit and feel of camping from what I remember as a kid before the action kicked in. As the characters sit around the camp fire in the quiet moments of the book, we get a feel for their personalities and what brought them together.
The premise is simple - a bunch of friends go camping in Alaska but find it won't be as leisurely as they expect. Oliver captures the spirit and feel of camping from what I remember as a kid before the action kicked in. As the characters sit around the camp fire in the quiet moments of the book, we get a feel for their personalities and what brought them together.
September 7, 2014
I'm not a huge fan of most of the short stories/novellas out there (the ones that seem to be self-published), but I'm so glad I discovered Oliver Phipps. This is the second book I've read by him, and it did not disappoint. If you can get past the editing (yea vs. yeah, to vs. too, etc.) his stories are really entertaining. They grip you, entertain you, and leave you with a sort of cliff-hanger. I can't wait to read another of his books.
October 16, 2015
I'm really enjoying Oliver's work. This one is spooky also, or creepy as I've heard his other paranormal works called. Personally I like the spooky books more than the 'horror' books. I don't mind the spooky stuff but really don't care to be scared out of my wits.
It's a little slow starting, but I think it was necessary for the set up and with five characters it takes a bit to get to know them. Well written also.
It's a little slow starting, but I think it was necessary for the set up and with five characters it takes a bit to get to know them. Well written also.
October 17, 2016
Any fan of Oliver Phipps's novels would do well to read, or at least sample, this book.I enjoyed this very much. This is an amazing story that I loved from page one it is magical, emotional and is a joy to read. This book is a beautifully written story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time It is written in a way that just gets the reader emotionally involved. I'm looking for more books by Oliver Phipps.
October 18, 2015
This story is very different. I don't normally read a lot of ghost stories but the author does a good job with this one. After reading The House on Cooper Lane I decided to try this book and am glad I did.
I hope he writes more like this one. I'm not big on horror but I think his books are more paranormal and just eerie and makes you think about what is going on.
I hope he writes more like this one. I'm not big on horror but I think his books are more paranormal and just eerie and makes you think about what is going on.
February 15, 2016
A little slow starting out but gets better. I enjoyed the book. I almost quit reading after the first chapter but was already hooked. I'm glad I stayed with it as the pace quickened and by the third and fourth chapters it was very good!
October 8, 2015
Great book. Unique and suspense. I recommend if you like a scary story but don't want blood and guts all the time. I'm sick of those stories. Oliver did good with this one. Thumb up.
December 16, 2015
Good story line. Interesting slant to the mysteries of Alaska!
February 1, 2017
Suspense
I really enjoyed, this short story. I usually stay away from short stories, but this one was worth my time.
I really enjoyed, this short story. I usually stay away from short stories, but this one was worth my time.
November 29, 2015
I love this story. I has suspense and is really unique.
November 1, 2017
I would call this one "good and spooky." It's not horror, but as others have mentioned, it is rather creepy.
June 8, 2018
A good read.
I almost put this book down and I am glad I am I kept it. It's an easy read but has a good story line. I will definitely read more from Mr, Phipps.
I almost put this book down and I am glad I am I kept it. It's an easy read but has a good story line. I will definitely read more from Mr, Phipps.
February 15, 2019
I like Phipps because his writing style and prose are very delicate. Tears of Abandon- is a very interesting read, with plenty of surprises! It opens with a mystique that follows through to the end. This book is a beautifully written story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. The way Phipps describes Alaska, or just nature, makes you see it right in front of you.
Oliver did good with this one. A must read.
Oliver did good with this one. A must read.
September 25, 2025
Exciting ghost town story set in the Alaskan wilderness
This is a sad and mysterious tale of a young woman in love and the tragic intersection of an Alaskan ghost town into that love story.
All through this tale I was trying to figure out if Beth is a pawn in the ghosts’ hands or just a survivor. It seems the author lets us decide somewhat for ourselves, which is alright by me, I think she is a survivor.
Read Tears of Abandon and you can decide yourself. It has a lot of metaphysical aspects to it that I suscept the average reader will miss yet still find the story exciting and interesting.
This is a sad and mysterious tale of a young woman in love and the tragic intersection of an Alaskan ghost town into that love story.
All through this tale I was trying to figure out if Beth is a pawn in the ghosts’ hands or just a survivor. It seems the author lets us decide somewhat for ourselves, which is alright by me, I think she is a survivor.
Read Tears of Abandon and you can decide yourself. It has a lot of metaphysical aspects to it that I suscept the average reader will miss yet still find the story exciting and interesting.
September 20, 2018
Fair
Liked the book up to the ending, right amount of mystery and off characters, don't think I'd read any more by this author as he didn't explain much in his story
Liked the book up to the ending, right amount of mystery and off characters, don't think I'd read any more by this author as he didn't explain much in his story
March 26, 2021
Love Oliver Phipps books. This is a beautifully written story and I enjoyed reading it. I got through it in just a few days because I didn't want to put it down.
April 11, 2021
A classic! I love this book, I've read it several times, and although a little wordy, it is still a great story of love, honor and duty.
April 27, 2021
This book was an easy and delicious read! The characters jumped off the page, and it also got me in the feels more than once. I can't wait to read more from Oliver Phipps.
May 13, 2021
This book has always been a favorite of mine to read and reread!! I am grateful to have found it again!
May 29, 2021
I really like how this book was introduced, built up, and wrapped up. Interesting plot, and connections. I look forward to reading more books by Oliver Phipps.
June 18, 2021
I enjoyed it. It moved fast and was entertaining. Made me want to read all the books from the author.
August 27, 2021
I love the personalities of all the characters. Highly recommend!
September 28, 2021
I really liked this book! It pleasantly surprised me and it was an easy read! Would recommend! Now on to the next book by Oliver!
May 31, 2022
I loved every second of this book and it gripped me in immediately.
June 1, 2022
Just when I thought I knew what was happening, everything changed. Great writing and great story.
June 2, 2022
It's highly descriptive and well written with a fascinating plot. Worth a read.
June 2, 2022
Strong woman helping each other. Good to read and it has much to teach. Stay true to your best self.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews