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The Atkinsons #1
Second Cousin Once Removed
Henry Atkinson's life as an attorney is slow, predictable, and lonely, to boot, since their divorce left his ex-wife with custody of the kids. To fill the time, he's taken up a hobby of genealogy, but it doesn't do much to spice up his mundane routine. Until the day he prods at a dead end on one of the branches of his family tree. Who is Shelley - a cousin he's never met nor even heard of in years? Despite being warned to leave well enough alone, Henry continues his investigation of the man, though it yields little more than a disturbing criminal record that finally convinces him to drop the matter. But Shelley is a man who doesn't appreciate being looked for . . . and now he knows someone has been looking. Before he knows what's hit him, Henry is propelled suddenly into a mayhem of ominous threats, mysterious strangers, and running for his life. Second Cousin Once Removed is a fast-paced sweaty-palm thriller that will keep you hooked until the last page.
232 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 27, 2020
My Review
When I first picked up this book, I was really intrigued to keep reading. We meet the main protagonist Henry, trying to contact a distant family member so he can finally finish his family tree. I thought this was quite unique and nothing like I read before. Especially once we found out Shelley is a mysterious, secretive criminal that no one seems to know anything about.
The plot consists of a cat and mouse-like chase between Henry, his partner Carolyn and Shelley. It was quite entertaining to read what Henry and Carolyn have to do in order to stay unnoticed. Passing through various towns and cities, they have to think about who they could trust and who they couldn’t. It makes it very difficult when friends and family around you are being killed.
This book is full of twists and turns that you would find in any mystery. But I’m happy to say I didn’t see all of them coming! In the end, everything came together quite nicely, and just when I thought I had finished, there was just that bit more explaining the rest of the story!
I did get a little bit confused throughout the book as it was incredibly fast-paced. This could have been because I was reading so late at night and didn’t have my full attention on the book.
Also, Carolyn’s character is introduced very suddenly and it took me a while to grasp who she was. Although I like her, I feel like her relationship with Henry is pushed too quickly. However, I didn’t really mind this too much as I was more involved in Shelley’s story.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed the majority of the book. I thought the plot was well thought out but some of the characters lacked depth for me and were kind of brushed over. Whereas I prefer more character-driven stories, if you love your mystery and thrillers that are plot-driven this might be a good read for you!
Rating: 3/5
When I first picked up this book, I was really intrigued to keep reading. We meet the main protagonist Henry, trying to contact a distant family member so he can finally finish his family tree. I thought this was quite unique and nothing like I read before. Especially once we found out Shelley is a mysterious, secretive criminal that no one seems to know anything about.
The plot consists of a cat and mouse-like chase between Henry, his partner Carolyn and Shelley. It was quite entertaining to read what Henry and Carolyn have to do in order to stay unnoticed. Passing through various towns and cities, they have to think about who they could trust and who they couldn’t. It makes it very difficult when friends and family around you are being killed.
This book is full of twists and turns that you would find in any mystery. But I’m happy to say I didn’t see all of them coming! In the end, everything came together quite nicely, and just when I thought I had finished, there was just that bit more explaining the rest of the story!
I did get a little bit confused throughout the book as it was incredibly fast-paced. This could have been because I was reading so late at night and didn’t have my full attention on the book.
Also, Carolyn’s character is introduced very suddenly and it took me a while to grasp who she was. Although I like her, I feel like her relationship with Henry is pushed too quickly. However, I didn’t really mind this too much as I was more involved in Shelley’s story.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed the majority of the book. I thought the plot was well thought out but some of the characters lacked depth for me and were kind of brushed over. Whereas I prefer more character-driven stories, if you love your mystery and thrillers that are plot-driven this might be a good read for you!
Rating: 3/5
October 28, 2020
Second Cousin Once Removed by Kenneth L Toppell | Review
Second Cousin Once Removed starts with a unique concept, a mostly retired patent attorney researching his family tree. In the blink of an eye, he’s on the run with a mystery woman. A murderous cousin is hot on their trail, and people they encounter are suddenly dying.
Subtle jumps in time are easy to miss. Several times I needed to reread a section when the time-frame seemed to be off-kilter. The relationship between Henry and Carolyn is one of those jumps. At first read, they seem to fall in love too quickly, but more time had passed than I realized.
The characters display multiple layers making them easy to love and hate. Sheldon is one of those unique personalities that seems a psychopath one minute and a regular guy the next. Isn’t that what they always say about serial killers?
Following a trend I have picked up on lately, the characters are all of a “certain age.” There are no trendy young people in the story. This isn’t a knock on the book. Being of that “certain age” myself, I rather enjoyed reading about contemporaries experiencing adventures, excitement, and love.
There are several plot twists that I did not see coming. The author kept me guessing just enough to keep those pages turning. The book isn’t for every reader. While I had a few moments of concern, overall, I recommend this book to readers of murder, mystery, and psychological thrillers.
I received a copy of the book for a blog tour. The above review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Second Cousin Once Removed starts with a unique concept, a mostly retired patent attorney researching his family tree. In the blink of an eye, he’s on the run with a mystery woman. A murderous cousin is hot on their trail, and people they encounter are suddenly dying.
Subtle jumps in time are easy to miss. Several times I needed to reread a section when the time-frame seemed to be off-kilter. The relationship between Henry and Carolyn is one of those jumps. At first read, they seem to fall in love too quickly, but more time had passed than I realized.
The characters display multiple layers making them easy to love and hate. Sheldon is one of those unique personalities that seems a psychopath one minute and a regular guy the next. Isn’t that what they always say about serial killers?
Following a trend I have picked up on lately, the characters are all of a “certain age.” There are no trendy young people in the story. This isn’t a knock on the book. Being of that “certain age” myself, I rather enjoyed reading about contemporaries experiencing adventures, excitement, and love.
There are several plot twists that I did not see coming. The author kept me guessing just enough to keep those pages turning. The book isn’t for every reader. While I had a few moments of concern, overall, I recommend this book to readers of murder, mystery, and psychological thrillers.
I received a copy of the book for a blog tour. The above review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
October 28, 2020
This little book was so much fun to read, it started with Henry starting a fun little project of a family tree but soon turned into a murderous escape.
The plot has a fast pace and is told from 3 point of views but you don't feel a disconnection from the story.... the 3 views flow into each other seamlessly which is something i really like in stories with multiple views.
The second half has an even faster pace but it is still a good pace to grasp the story fully.. the characters where amazing and you wouldn't think that they were in their late 40s early 50s... i was laughing tears by the end of the book at how good it was.
looking forward to reading more of the author soon.
highly recommend if you want a High pace chase story ^^.
The plot has a fast pace and is told from 3 point of views but you don't feel a disconnection from the story.... the 3 views flow into each other seamlessly which is something i really like in stories with multiple views.
The second half has an even faster pace but it is still a good pace to grasp the story fully.. the characters where amazing and you wouldn't think that they were in their late 40s early 50s... i was laughing tears by the end of the book at how good it was.
looking forward to reading more of the author soon.
highly recommend if you want a High pace chase story ^^.
October 29, 2020
In the beginning of Second Cousins Once Removed we meet Henry Atkinson, a semi-retired lawyer who is working on his family tree. His second cousin Shelley is missing from the tree still, and Henry has an increasingly harder time finding information about him. When Henry’s uncle Ira then urges him to stop looking for Shelley Henry gets more and more suspicious. And then, a few days later, Ira’s dead. And Henry gets a warning – stay out of Shelley’s business. And just like that, we’re in the middle of an enthralling, unique, and captivating story that makes it impossible to put the book down.
This book is as fast-paced as the escape run Henry is on. Sometimes it is a bit hard to follow exactly how much time has passed between events, but then again this adds to the tone of the book. It makes you feel with Henry, and soon you too are trying to escape Shelley’s murderous plans. The fast-paced plot is told from three points of view, all of which add to the story’s value and give you a deeper insight into what’s happening (even if at first you might think the POVs are unconnected…they are not).
The plot twists kept me gripping the edge of my seat until the very end – I love it when I don’t see them coming! I may not be the biggest fan of murder mysteries, but this was a good one. I highly recommend it to all fans of fast-paced thrillers with a big chase, a humorous main character that stays sarcastic even in the worst of times, and lots of twists and turns.
4 stars from me!
For my full review head over to my blog https://theartsyreader.com/thewritere...
This book is as fast-paced as the escape run Henry is on. Sometimes it is a bit hard to follow exactly how much time has passed between events, but then again this adds to the tone of the book. It makes you feel with Henry, and soon you too are trying to escape Shelley’s murderous plans. The fast-paced plot is told from three points of view, all of which add to the story’s value and give you a deeper insight into what’s happening (even if at first you might think the POVs are unconnected…they are not).
The plot twists kept me gripping the edge of my seat until the very end – I love it when I don’t see them coming! I may not be the biggest fan of murder mysteries, but this was a good one. I highly recommend it to all fans of fast-paced thrillers with a big chase, a humorous main character that stays sarcastic even in the worst of times, and lots of twists and turns.
4 stars from me!
For my full review head over to my blog https://theartsyreader.com/thewritere...
November 3, 2020
Thank you to the Write Reads for allowing me to be part of the blog tour for this book. It is available for purchase now.
What an interesting premise! The main character in this book is Henry Atkinson, a lawyer who is sort-of retired. He’s looking into his family tree, which ends up being the catalyst for all kinds of trouble. Henry’s second cousin, Shelley, sends some threats and the next thing he knows, Henry finds himself on the run. Enter Carolyn, a woman who gets tangled up in everything at a very inopportune time. She ends up fleeing a dastardly villain along with Henry. Can they survive long enough to bring the bad guy to justice?
The story is told from multiple points of view. That makes me nervous in thrillers, but it works out well in Second Cousin Once Removed. The book moves at a fast clip, and there’s never a boring moment. In fact, it moves quickly enough that the relationship between Henry and Carolyn felt…weird. It didn’t develop so much as pop up out of nowhere. That was just a little blip in the story to me, though, and not enough to dull my enjoyment of the book.
The plot was incredibly unique and well thought out. Who would have thought that genealogy could be so rife with danger? I really liked the pacing of the story, and Henry’s character was a blast to read. If you want a quick, entertaining thriller, pick this book up.
What an interesting premise! The main character in this book is Henry Atkinson, a lawyer who is sort-of retired. He’s looking into his family tree, which ends up being the catalyst for all kinds of trouble. Henry’s second cousin, Shelley, sends some threats and the next thing he knows, Henry finds himself on the run. Enter Carolyn, a woman who gets tangled up in everything at a very inopportune time. She ends up fleeing a dastardly villain along with Henry. Can they survive long enough to bring the bad guy to justice?
The story is told from multiple points of view. That makes me nervous in thrillers, but it works out well in Second Cousin Once Removed. The book moves at a fast clip, and there’s never a boring moment. In fact, it moves quickly enough that the relationship between Henry and Carolyn felt…weird. It didn’t develop so much as pop up out of nowhere. That was just a little blip in the story to me, though, and not enough to dull my enjoyment of the book.
The plot was incredibly unique and well thought out. Who would have thought that genealogy could be so rife with danger? I really liked the pacing of the story, and Henry’s character was a blast to read. If you want a quick, entertaining thriller, pick this book up.
October 28, 2020
This is a book for and about the older generation, but don't get me wrong I am not saying they are too old or anything I am just mentioning as it is nice for a change of pace from the hot 20 somethings doing hot 20 somethings things. I actually like that a lot. The main characters are both on the older side and as I said it is honestly nice to see a book that has such characters having adventures instead of the usual teens and 20 somethings. The premise and writing sucked me in early, its really quite a unique story about the MC (Henry) who is researching his family tree and starts wondering about … you guessed it - ‘his second cousin once removed’ - Shelley.
And it turns out Shelley does not want to be found!
So begins a fast paced cat and mouse thriller/mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. I will say there were some aspects which felt a little off to me. The relationship with Carolyn develops very quickly and I kept wondering where are the police in all this as well as a few other aspects which I thought would have been obvious for them to do, but then, maybe that is part of the fact that they are of a generation which has not grown up with google. I think if you like mysteries, particularly fast paced mysteries with unusual plots then you will enjoy this one.
I received a free copy (tour) in exchange for an honest review.
And it turns out Shelley does not want to be found!
So begins a fast paced cat and mouse thriller/mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. I will say there were some aspects which felt a little off to me. The relationship with Carolyn develops very quickly and I kept wondering where are the police in all this as well as a few other aspects which I thought would have been obvious for them to do, but then, maybe that is part of the fact that they are of a generation which has not grown up with google. I think if you like mysteries, particularly fast paced mysteries with unusual plots then you will enjoy this one.
I received a free copy (tour) in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2020
When I originally read the synopsis for this book I was not going to take part in the tour because it didn’t really sound like it was something I would enjoy. However, whilst it wasn’t a new favourite I found I still really liked it!
Henry was a really great character, he was so sarcastic even in the face of danger and it made his pov so quick and easy to read from. . I also loved the friendship between Henry and Caroline that developed into so much more.
For the first 50 pages or so I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, as there where times when I couldn’t tell how much time had passed and I got quite confused but I was still hooked to every page and the multiple perspectives added to my intrigue.
This is a fast paced read with a sarcastic main character and so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but, I think that it will be hit or miss with some people, whether they like it or whether they don’t. Personally the only bad thing about this book for me was the pacing, as I read on though, I found I didn’t notice it as much, I just wanted to know what was going to happen next!
An exciting read!
Henry was a really great character, he was so sarcastic even in the face of danger and it made his pov so quick and easy to read from. . I also loved the friendship between Henry and Caroline that developed into so much more.
For the first 50 pages or so I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, as there where times when I couldn’t tell how much time had passed and I got quite confused but I was still hooked to every page and the multiple perspectives added to my intrigue.
This is a fast paced read with a sarcastic main character and so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but, I think that it will be hit or miss with some people, whether they like it or whether they don’t. Personally the only bad thing about this book for me was the pacing, as I read on though, I found I didn’t notice it as much, I just wanted to know what was going to happen next!
An exciting read!
October 29, 2020
Unusual concept, entertaining read, fast paced. We have 3 main characters in this. The main character, Henry, his love interest and partner in crime, Carolyn and then the mysterious ‘second cousin once removed’ Shelley. Henry, a middle aged divorcee, leads a pretty boring life. To break the monotony he begins researching his family tree and learns of the mysterious and dangerous(?) Shelley.
Soon enough Henry is finding himself being threatened and in danger. The books moves super fast from there. With Henry and Carolyn going from city to city not knowing who to trust or where to go next. If anything I think the book moved a little too fast and I found myself struggling to keep up. Having said that there is some great humour throughout and generally I found myself wanting to continue and find out what happens next.
There were a few issues which means it falls short of 5 stars for me but its a sold 3.5 star read maybe 4. I’d recommend for readers looking for an easy, fast paced adventure/mystery aimed at a slightly older audience.
Soon enough Henry is finding himself being threatened and in danger. The books moves super fast from there. With Henry and Carolyn going from city to city not knowing who to trust or where to go next. If anything I think the book moved a little too fast and I found myself struggling to keep up. Having said that there is some great humour throughout and generally I found myself wanting to continue and find out what happens next.
There were a few issues which means it falls short of 5 stars for me but its a sold 3.5 star read maybe 4. I’d recommend for readers looking for an easy, fast paced adventure/mystery aimed at a slightly older audience.
October 24, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and publisher for letting me be part of this tour and for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
When I first read the synopsis, I was really intrigued, I liked the premise and I was expecting to really enjoy it, but this book was not what I was hoping for. It took me by surprise and I honestly tried with it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't want to bash the author and the work that went into this book, but I found it old fashioned and in bad taste, unfortunately.
When I first read the synopsis, I was really intrigued, I liked the premise and I was expecting to really enjoy it, but this book was not what I was hoping for. It took me by surprise and I honestly tried with it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't want to bash the author and the work that went into this book, but I found it old fashioned and in bad taste, unfortunately.
October 29, 2020
Thank you, Dave, at The Write Reads for organizing and inviting me to be a part of this blog tour. Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Second Cousin Once Removed falls into the mystery/thriller category. Henry Attkinson has a predictable life. He is a semi-retired attorney who is doing some research on his family tree. When he decides to look into a mysterious second cousin, Shelly Garçon, with a criminal past, it takes him and his new friend Carolyn on an unexpected adventure and on the run from a dangerous man.
The premise of this book is the exact reason why I have no interest in genealogy or family trees. Years ago, when my Uncle was looking into our family tree, my Dad told him that he had no interest in digging and finding out that their Great Great Uncle was a horse thief or something like that, and frankly, I agree. Despite having no interest in my family tree, the premise did sound interesting, and it was a relatively quick read. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, and it was more of the kind of thing that my Dad would enjoy.
This book was a quick read. The pacing was steady enough that I didn’t get bored or too overwhelmed. It had lots of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the game of cat and mouse between Henry & Carolyn and Shelly. There were a few confusing moments, especially when Henry and Carolyn were using fake names, but I got used to it after a while.
I liked the characters, and I generally liked their personalities. However, I did find myself getting annoyed with how many times Henry’s age was mentioned. I liked that Henry and Carolyn spent so much time doing their research in the library and reading about them connecting the dots between the different murders. There were a few moments where Carolyn’s body was mentioned, and I found them unnecessary, and really, I found most of the romance unnecessary. I also liked Shelly, and I was fascinated by his criminal activities and his twisted sense of justice.
Overall, this book was alright, but nothing made it stand out to me. The twists and turns kept it interesting, the characters were decent, and it had an unexpected ending. As I mentioned earlier, this is the kind of book that I think my Dad would enjoy (he mainly reads Patterson, Baldacci, Grisham, and Archer), and it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a quick page-turner.
Second Cousin Once Removed falls into the mystery/thriller category. Henry Attkinson has a predictable life. He is a semi-retired attorney who is doing some research on his family tree. When he decides to look into a mysterious second cousin, Shelly Garçon, with a criminal past, it takes him and his new friend Carolyn on an unexpected adventure and on the run from a dangerous man.
The premise of this book is the exact reason why I have no interest in genealogy or family trees. Years ago, when my Uncle was looking into our family tree, my Dad told him that he had no interest in digging and finding out that their Great Great Uncle was a horse thief or something like that, and frankly, I agree. Despite having no interest in my family tree, the premise did sound interesting, and it was a relatively quick read. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, and it was more of the kind of thing that my Dad would enjoy.
This book was a quick read. The pacing was steady enough that I didn’t get bored or too overwhelmed. It had lots of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the game of cat and mouse between Henry & Carolyn and Shelly. There were a few confusing moments, especially when Henry and Carolyn were using fake names, but I got used to it after a while.
I liked the characters, and I generally liked their personalities. However, I did find myself getting annoyed with how many times Henry’s age was mentioned. I liked that Henry and Carolyn spent so much time doing their research in the library and reading about them connecting the dots between the different murders. There were a few moments where Carolyn’s body was mentioned, and I found them unnecessary, and really, I found most of the romance unnecessary. I also liked Shelly, and I was fascinated by his criminal activities and his twisted sense of justice.
Overall, this book was alright, but nothing made it stand out to me. The twists and turns kept it interesting, the characters were decent, and it had an unexpected ending. As I mentioned earlier, this is the kind of book that I think my Dad would enjoy (he mainly reads Patterson, Baldacci, Grisham, and Archer), and it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a quick page-turner.
October 27, 2020
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Henry Attkinson is an ordinary man with an ordinary life. He is a divorced, semi-retired attorney with a rented office, counting down the days to his retirement. Henry harbours a long-held interest in his family’s history and decides to create a family tree, but one branch is proving difficult to follow – that of his second cousin, Shelley. Following an odd phone call with his uncle, a sinister warning message and the arrival of a mysterious woman in his office, Henry is forced to go on the run across America as he begins to unravel the dark secrets of his cousin’s life, and as the threats that pursue both men close in.
'Second Cousin Once Removed' does not give the reader much chance to catch their breath. From the opening pages, Henry and the reader are launched into a thrilling game of cat and mouse that twists and turns at high speed. Henry must make decisions that entirely change the course of his life and that of his new companion, Carolyn, who by chance is caught up in the action. The novel is fast-paced and filled with cleverly plotted drama and mysterious characters whose alliances shift and change – trust is not freely given or earned in the novel. At the centre is a focus on family, loyalty and love, which drives the action and provides it with heart and emotion. The story is told from three viewpoints, with Henry as the main character. Each voice is clear and allows a fresh perspective on the action and the complex motivations that drive the characters. Henry is humorous, down-to-earth and completely unprepared for the high-octane life he is forced to lead, but as the novel progresses he learns what he is capable of and takes control of some surprising situations. His relationship with Carolyn is heart-warming and unfolds gently amidst the chaos and danger; while his fascination with Shelley is a gripping driving force towards the novel’s dramatic conclusion. Witty, dark and dangerous, 'Second Cousin Once Removed' had me absorbed in the tense narrative, desperate to uncover the truth about Shelley and reveal the threatening figures lurking around every corner.
Fans of thrillers and noir crime fiction will devour Kenneth L. Toppell’s sharp, snappy novel. It should come with a warning, though – make sure you don’t have any other plans the day you start to read, as you won’t be able to resist turning the page!
Henry Attkinson is an ordinary man with an ordinary life. He is a divorced, semi-retired attorney with a rented office, counting down the days to his retirement. Henry harbours a long-held interest in his family’s history and decides to create a family tree, but one branch is proving difficult to follow – that of his second cousin, Shelley. Following an odd phone call with his uncle, a sinister warning message and the arrival of a mysterious woman in his office, Henry is forced to go on the run across America as he begins to unravel the dark secrets of his cousin’s life, and as the threats that pursue both men close in.
'Second Cousin Once Removed' does not give the reader much chance to catch their breath. From the opening pages, Henry and the reader are launched into a thrilling game of cat and mouse that twists and turns at high speed. Henry must make decisions that entirely change the course of his life and that of his new companion, Carolyn, who by chance is caught up in the action. The novel is fast-paced and filled with cleverly plotted drama and mysterious characters whose alliances shift and change – trust is not freely given or earned in the novel. At the centre is a focus on family, loyalty and love, which drives the action and provides it with heart and emotion. The story is told from three viewpoints, with Henry as the main character. Each voice is clear and allows a fresh perspective on the action and the complex motivations that drive the characters. Henry is humorous, down-to-earth and completely unprepared for the high-octane life he is forced to lead, but as the novel progresses he learns what he is capable of and takes control of some surprising situations. His relationship with Carolyn is heart-warming and unfolds gently amidst the chaos and danger; while his fascination with Shelley is a gripping driving force towards the novel’s dramatic conclusion. Witty, dark and dangerous, 'Second Cousin Once Removed' had me absorbed in the tense narrative, desperate to uncover the truth about Shelley and reveal the threatening figures lurking around every corner.
Fans of thrillers and noir crime fiction will devour Kenneth L. Toppell’s sharp, snappy novel. It should come with a warning, though – make sure you don’t have any other plans the day you start to read, as you won’t be able to resist turning the page!
November 15, 2020
Thank you so much to Brown Books for gifting me with a copy of Second Cousin, Once Removed in exchange for an honest review!
This book is witty as all get out and I am so here for it! Toppell's writing style and language is extremely relatable and the rhythm of it is easy to fall into. This provided for a fast-paced and action packed read.
Now, when I say "action-packed," I mean 0-100 action packed. At first I was taken aback like, "so THAT'S how fast we're going to take this. Okkkk." But I think this novel was meant to be speedy and concise in order to pack a punch in a short amount of time. At first, I felt that this speed didn't really lend to the reader getting to know the characters well, but by the end of the book, I felt I had a good handle on who Henry and Carolyn were and their motives in life.
Some of the nuances of the crimes and the financing were difficult to follow, but I appreciate the knowledge that Toppell brought to the story, especially in the medical setting. I get so aggravated when I read a book with any part set in a hospital and the author has no idea what they're talking about. Toppell described the medical journey one character would take to each unit (IN THE CORRECT ORDER) and even dropped the term, NPO, like it was no big deal. We love to see it.
Kudos to authors who have knowledge in the area in which they're writing and who can deliver humor along with it. Fun read!
This book is witty as all get out and I am so here for it! Toppell's writing style and language is extremely relatable and the rhythm of it is easy to fall into. This provided for a fast-paced and action packed read.
Now, when I say "action-packed," I mean 0-100 action packed. At first I was taken aback like, "so THAT'S how fast we're going to take this. Okkkk." But I think this novel was meant to be speedy and concise in order to pack a punch in a short amount of time. At first, I felt that this speed didn't really lend to the reader getting to know the characters well, but by the end of the book, I felt I had a good handle on who Henry and Carolyn were and their motives in life.
Some of the nuances of the crimes and the financing were difficult to follow, but I appreciate the knowledge that Toppell brought to the story, especially in the medical setting. I get so aggravated when I read a book with any part set in a hospital and the author has no idea what they're talking about. Toppell described the medical journey one character would take to each unit (IN THE CORRECT ORDER) and even dropped the term, NPO, like it was no big deal. We love to see it.
Kudos to authors who have knowledge in the area in which they're writing and who can deliver humor along with it. Fun read!
November 16, 2020
This was a fast paced read that I read within a day or so. I was drawn to Henry’s character particularly because he came across as an average, one might almost say boring guy, instead of the usual hot, exciting heartthrob we normally get in thrillers. Fast forward to the realization that he’s wanted by Shelly, a deranged cousin he’s never connected with or even met in real life and Henry’s lifestyle and outlook on life changes in the blink of an eye.
We get to see Henry’s, Shelly’s and Henry’s love interest Carolyn’s perspective in different chapters which opened the story up more for me. I particularly enjoyed Shelly’s POV as from the start he was pegged as being the heartless bad guy.
There’s something old school about the story, part of me feels it could have been set in the Fifties. Henry definitely gave off a vibe of being the type of man who like women to wear lipstick and look good at all times. I feel this may not have sat well with some readers. For me, I’d give this book three stars. It was gritty, gripping and something different from the norm. Not my favorite book ever, but a solid enough read.
We get to see Henry’s, Shelly’s and Henry’s love interest Carolyn’s perspective in different chapters which opened the story up more for me. I particularly enjoyed Shelly’s POV as from the start he was pegged as being the heartless bad guy.
There’s something old school about the story, part of me feels it could have been set in the Fifties. Henry definitely gave off a vibe of being the type of man who like women to wear lipstick and look good at all times. I feel this may not have sat well with some readers. For me, I’d give this book three stars. It was gritty, gripping and something different from the norm. Not my favorite book ever, but a solid enough read.
October 25, 2020
This is a story about a retired (or semi retired) lawyer called Henry Atkinson who’s rather mundane, boring and indeed lonely existence is turned upside down when he starts researching his family tree and discovers somebody he never knew existed, his second cousin, Shelley. And this is where things start happening! His Uncle turns up dead - having warned Henry to stop investigating Shelley. And Henry fears he may be next!
Boy oh boy is this thing fast paced. Before you know what is happening Henry and Carolyn are in love and on the run from city to city hunting and being hunted. I feel like there are a few things which are bit confusing or not that well explained but the plot was interesting enough for me not to be too concerned with them.
One thing worth mentioning too is this is a book that is targeted for the older generation. The characters are older and sometimes it feels like if they had just done a google search a lot of their problems would have been avoided. There is a nice dash of humour throughout, though you can definitely tell it was written by a guy, not saying that is a bad thing, just that it is quite obvious from the writing. At times it felt a bit too much like an old timey James Bond movie, only our Bond is not exactly Sean Connery.
But the positivities definitely outweigh the negatives and I still enjoyed this twisty fast paced thriller.
Boy oh boy is this thing fast paced. Before you know what is happening Henry and Carolyn are in love and on the run from city to city hunting and being hunted. I feel like there are a few things which are bit confusing or not that well explained but the plot was interesting enough for me not to be too concerned with them.
One thing worth mentioning too is this is a book that is targeted for the older generation. The characters are older and sometimes it feels like if they had just done a google search a lot of their problems would have been avoided. There is a nice dash of humour throughout, though you can definitely tell it was written by a guy, not saying that is a bad thing, just that it is quite obvious from the writing. At times it felt a bit too much like an old timey James Bond movie, only our Bond is not exactly Sean Connery.
But the positivities definitely outweigh the negatives and I still enjoyed this twisty fast paced thriller.
October 26, 2020
Book source ~ Tour
Henry Atkinson is a research attorney in New York. He’s semi-retired and single, so for a project he decides to dig into his family tree. When he gets to Shelley Garcon, his cousin’s nephew, he discovers a killer. And now the killer knows Henry is looking into him. Before Henry realizes it, his life is in danger and he runs, taking an unsuspecting woman with him. Trying to stay out of Shelley’s sight and keep Carolyn Trellis safe he creates a new life away from NY and Carolyn goes along with him. But things are never that simple.
This story has a great premise and it starts off fine. But then it becomes wildly farfetched and extremely hard to believe. In addition, the skeleton of a good story is here, but there’s no real meat to it. It jumps from scene to scene, the world and characters fall flat, and the timeline is wonky. I honestly think it reads more like a first draft than a finished story. This author is new-to-me, so I don’t know if this is his typical writing style or not. If so then it’s not to my liking. I like characters who step off the page, a world that becomes my world, and a plot that is, at the very least, slightly believable. I like the premise and Henry’s a decent character, but the rest of the book is a disappointment to me.
Henry Atkinson is a research attorney in New York. He’s semi-retired and single, so for a project he decides to dig into his family tree. When he gets to Shelley Garcon, his cousin’s nephew, he discovers a killer. And now the killer knows Henry is looking into him. Before Henry realizes it, his life is in danger and he runs, taking an unsuspecting woman with him. Trying to stay out of Shelley’s sight and keep Carolyn Trellis safe he creates a new life away from NY and Carolyn goes along with him. But things are never that simple.
This story has a great premise and it starts off fine. But then it becomes wildly farfetched and extremely hard to believe. In addition, the skeleton of a good story is here, but there’s no real meat to it. It jumps from scene to scene, the world and characters fall flat, and the timeline is wonky. I honestly think it reads more like a first draft than a finished story. This author is new-to-me, so I don’t know if this is his typical writing style or not. If so then it’s not to my liking. I like characters who step off the page, a world that becomes my world, and a plot that is, at the very least, slightly believable. I like the premise and Henry’s a decent character, but the rest of the book is a disappointment to me.
November 2, 2020
A pretty good read. Well written and fast paced. It feels a little dated in a few places and at times I found myself a little confused, maybe that was down to me or maybe it was down to something things not really making great sense, who is to say!
The best part for me was the originality of the plot and some great, if somewhat sarcastic humour that had me chuckling more than once. The relationship between Henry and Carolyn while a bit rushed, I think, was still nice to read.
This is definitely a book for the older reader more than teenager or 20 something. Not because of naughty content or anything, but rather because the characters themselves are older and as somebody starting to get on a little myself now I found myself relating.
The best part for me was the originality of the plot and some great, if somewhat sarcastic humour that had me chuckling more than once. The relationship between Henry and Carolyn while a bit rushed, I think, was still nice to read.
This is definitely a book for the older reader more than teenager or 20 something. Not because of naughty content or anything, but rather because the characters themselves are older and as somebody starting to get on a little myself now I found myself relating.
November 3, 2020
So I wasn’t to sure what to expect when I first picked this book up and I was surprised in a good way. The start of this book you get introduced to Henry who decides to start writing his family tree and comes across a cousins called Shelley who he doesn’t know anything about. Shelley turns out to be an ex con and does everything in his power to not be found. This book was an extremely fast paced thriller, with short chapters and a great storyline. I didn’t see many of the twists and turns that cropped up during the story. The only gripe I have with this book is how fast the time moves through the chapters and how fast the relationship evolved between Henry and Caroline. Other than that it was a great thought out book.
October 27, 2020
Can I say that Kenneth L. Toppell is such a good story teller. That’s how I found this book, a well told story. Second Cousin Once Removed is a fast-paced book that has action happening from the word go. Its really interesting to follow along the mystery, with the Henry and Shelley in the middle of it. The book has really vivid descriptions and takes time with the plot.
“I did have a plan. It was predicated on dread and fueled by anticipation.”
I was confused in the beginning with the fast moving relationship and so much is happening as the book starts but the story unfolds really well in a way that clears that confusion.
If you’re looking for a mystery thriller then Second Cousin Once Removed is for you
http://www.suckerforcoffe.com/blog-to...
“I did have a plan. It was predicated on dread and fueled by anticipation.”
I was confused in the beginning with the fast moving relationship and so much is happening as the book starts but the story unfolds really well in a way that clears that confusion.
If you’re looking for a mystery thriller then Second Cousin Once Removed is for you
http://www.suckerforcoffe.com/blog-to...
October 27, 2020
RTC- scheduled for 2/11
November 3, 2020
A wonderful read that perhaps will get better with time. Second Cousin Once Removed will be one of those books that one can revisit when one is between reads. Delightfully done.
November 6, 2020
It is surprising what a can of worms Henry opens when he tries to fill out his family tree in Second Cousin Once Removed by Kenneth Toppell. As the story opens, Henry discovers he is cousins with a gun for hire, and when people start dying gruesome deaths around him, Henry and Carolyn feel they need to run for their lives. When you begin the book, you enter a world reminiscent of those stories told by Dashiell Hammet – a world where women are dames, emotions are black and white, and life is brutal, dark, and gritty. Usually, this technique can be found in hard-boiled mysteries, but in this story, the main character is a lawyer specializing in titles and work such as that, rather than a “private dick.” And that is just the beginning of the twists and turns that will leave you gasping in its wake as this story unfolds. I’m not personally fond of this type of hard-boiled mystery, the writing style is not my cup of tea, but I must say, I was intrigued by the tale and awed by the switches in direction. It is told in the first person and has three different narrators – Henry, Carolyn, and Shelley (the murderer) distinguished by their entitled chapters, which offered a unique insight into the plot as it developed. If you love hard-boiled mysteries and feel the grittier, the better, this story may be the perfect choice for your next read.
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