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The Price of Conceit
Arrogance has a price.
Small town life in rural Texas suits Detective Dan Kibirli.
He has the respect and admiration of the people living
there and the cases he investigates are as straightforward as it gets.
But when he finds himself trapped in a baffling secret room in the basement of the Claremonte County Courthouse with no memory of how he got there, Kibirli begins to see that his life in Claremonte may not be quite as simple as he perceives it to be.
Saddled with the inept deputy, Frank Wells, and the unsolicited advice from his alcoholic friend, Dr. Darwin Canton, Kibirli tries to discover the identity of the person who trapped him all while trying to keep his most recent case from being thrown out of court.
With rising suspicion of the people closest to him, Kibirli blinds himself to anything that challenges his preconceptions.
And his arrogance.
Kibirli must eventually face the hard truth that the cost of protecting his ego is much steeper than a blemish on a sterling conviction record.
Small town life in rural Texas suits Detective Dan Kibirli.
He has the respect and admiration of the people living
there and the cases he investigates are as straightforward as it gets.
But when he finds himself trapped in a baffling secret room in the basement of the Claremonte County Courthouse with no memory of how he got there, Kibirli begins to see that his life in Claremonte may not be quite as simple as he perceives it to be.
Saddled with the inept deputy, Frank Wells, and the unsolicited advice from his alcoholic friend, Dr. Darwin Canton, Kibirli tries to discover the identity of the person who trapped him all while trying to keep his most recent case from being thrown out of court.
With rising suspicion of the people closest to him, Kibirli blinds himself to anything that challenges his preconceptions.
And his arrogance.
Kibirli must eventually face the hard truth that the cost of protecting his ego is much steeper than a blemish on a sterling conviction record.
309 pages, ebook
Published June 16, 2017
5 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 16, 2018
THE PRICE OF CONCEIT is a twisted tale of arrogance, deceit, and self-redemption. I gave this fast-paced mystery five stars, and here’s why:
PLOT: Detective Dan Kibirli has the puzzle pieces of his small-town life fitting flawlessly, forming the image of a big fish in a small town. He’s the big fish, of course, and he shoves his weight around like he’s the town’s anchor. Only he’s forgotten that little fish can cast their own nets. And now his perfect puzzle has been entangled in a series of events that don’t add up. For the first time, Kibirli doesn’t know who to trust. For the first time, Kibirli is in danger of losing everything, including his life, which is the ultimate price to pay. And the only answers that continue to elude him are who is reshuffling the pieces of his life…and why.
The plot is excellent, keeping me guessing the entire page-turning read!
CHARACTERS: All of the characters in Claremonte, Texas, are affected by the dysfunctional town dynamics. And all of them have a bone-to-pick with their arrogant Detective Kibirli. Author JJ Falco does an exceptional job introducing a variety of characters who raise suspicions and keep the reader off-balance and guessing…whodunit?
At times, Dan Kibirli earns some empathy, despite his elevated self-worth. To me, he represents the bullying victim who carries the pains of his youth into adult life; and without realizing it, he emerges as a bully himself.
WRITING: The author lends an easy flow to his writing which I thoroughly enjoyed! Here are two samples from Kibirli’s voice:
and…
TENSION: The book has tension from start to finish! At times, the situations were quite disturbing, even shocking. Sadly, however, they show what can happen (the price) when everyone’s self-importance and personal wants clash against everyone else’s.
His writing carries tension, too. Here’s a sample:
LOVE: Like everything in Kibirli’s life, his relationship with his wife is a puzzle piece shaken to its core. It is a relief to watch Kibirli mature over the course of the book and apply his newfound maturity to rational decisions regarding his wife and their future.
TWISTS/SURPRISES: The entire book is a twist…like running through a labyrinth where you keep making wrong turns, alongside the characters! The author really shines in this category! What a mystery!
HUMOR: There is not a lot of humor in THE PRICE OF CONCEIT, but I don’t need this for a five-star read. With serious situations, humor would not have been appropriate.
A twisted five-star read that keeps you guessing!
PLOT: Detective Dan Kibirli has the puzzle pieces of his small-town life fitting flawlessly, forming the image of a big fish in a small town. He’s the big fish, of course, and he shoves his weight around like he’s the town’s anchor. Only he’s forgotten that little fish can cast their own nets. And now his perfect puzzle has been entangled in a series of events that don’t add up. For the first time, Kibirli doesn’t know who to trust. For the first time, Kibirli is in danger of losing everything, including his life, which is the ultimate price to pay. And the only answers that continue to elude him are who is reshuffling the pieces of his life…and why.
The plot is excellent, keeping me guessing the entire page-turning read!
CHARACTERS: All of the characters in Claremonte, Texas, are affected by the dysfunctional town dynamics. And all of them have a bone-to-pick with their arrogant Detective Kibirli. Author JJ Falco does an exceptional job introducing a variety of characters who raise suspicions and keep the reader off-balance and guessing…whodunit?
At times, Dan Kibirli earns some empathy, despite his elevated self-worth. To me, he represents the bullying victim who carries the pains of his youth into adult life; and without realizing it, he emerges as a bully himself.
WRITING: The author lends an easy flow to his writing which I thoroughly enjoyed! Here are two samples from Kibirli’s voice:
Thomas received Kibirli into his office coldly. He didn’t stand or offer a hand shake. He merely said, “Good morning, Mr. Kibirli,” and gestured to the velvet cushioned waste of tax dollars facing his desk.
and…
The furniture was well past what could be described as worn, the TV was an old tube unit with an actual channel dial and rabbit ears, and the bathroom held a thick musty ozone.
TENSION: The book has tension from start to finish! At times, the situations were quite disturbing, even shocking. Sadly, however, they show what can happen (the price) when everyone’s self-importance and personal wants clash against everyone else’s.
His writing carries tension, too. Here’s a sample:
His gut told him to lock himself in his office, but a locked door wouldn’t stop someone who really wanted to get at him. He swallowed hard. His mouth went dry. Better to just face it head on. He took another pull from the bottle and walked slowly toward his waiting room.
LOVE: Like everything in Kibirli’s life, his relationship with his wife is a puzzle piece shaken to its core. It is a relief to watch Kibirli mature over the course of the book and apply his newfound maturity to rational decisions regarding his wife and their future.
TWISTS/SURPRISES: The entire book is a twist…like running through a labyrinth where you keep making wrong turns, alongside the characters! The author really shines in this category! What a mystery!
HUMOR: There is not a lot of humor in THE PRICE OF CONCEIT, but I don’t need this for a five-star read. With serious situations, humor would not have been appropriate.
A twisted five-star read that keeps you guessing!
July 21, 2017
A well-paced read with great characters that drive the story to places they didn't intend.
Read
June 21, 2017I recommend it! Read it! (Just know that I'm biased. But still...)
The first time I read it, I wondered more than a few times what the author (me) was trying to convey. I suggested changes to JJ that would help clear up confusing bits, and whadaya know? He made them!
The second time I read it, I saw some other issues regarding clarity, but mostly I noticed potential for improvement with pacing. There were also plot points that added nothing to the story or painted characters in ways the author (myself) likely did not intend. I suggested possible changes to JJ. Lo and behold, he made them!
All in all, The Price of Conceit was an enjoyable read. Enjoyable enough that I felt the desire (need) to read it several times.
It's a good thing for the author (that would be me), that books can be edited before publication.
The first time I read it, I wondered more than a few times what the author (me) was trying to convey. I suggested changes to JJ that would help clear up confusing bits, and whadaya know? He made them!
The second time I read it, I saw some other issues regarding clarity, but mostly I noticed potential for improvement with pacing. There were also plot points that added nothing to the story or painted characters in ways the author (myself) likely did not intend. I suggested possible changes to JJ. Lo and behold, he made them!
All in all, The Price of Conceit was an enjoyable read. Enjoyable enough that I felt the desire (need) to read it several times.
It's a good thing for the author (that would be me), that books can be edited before publication.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews