#DyingoftheLight – Rosepoint Publishing

Apparently, the upper Midwest will follow the pattern of cold, winter-like weather with summer temps and warm weather and no chance to acclimate. Not sure the plants like that either, not knowing whether to slow or grow. The cool weather crops are loving it, of course. The flower bed is actually looking pretty good with weeds as high as flowers, and the fairy garden yielded enough tender sprouts that the rabbits and deer came out and mowed everything down. Both animals are cute—from afar—until you realize they are munching on freshly transplanted annuals. The ferns gave it up a long time ago.

Skip the next paragraph if you are following Punkin the Pom odyssey becoming a real dog. Apparently, she is beginning to sense there are things out there she might have been missing out on—walks being one of them. She’s doing pretty well with the CE. Not so sure about me walking her and tries more often than not to dart away from me, hitting the end of the line on her harness. Otherwise, still few treats, no toys, and no offers of companionship.

First, the CE and our daughter headed to California for a family reunion. I took the opportunity to do some heavy cleaning and projects easier done while the house was quiet (note all the audiobooks!) Then, the household turned upside down with the unexpected return of a family member and his puppy, a mini-Aussie/Jack Russell mix, who has way too much energy, appetite, and interest in all things food, treats, toys, and walks. She can’t get enough of any of those things…and Punkin is noticing.

May was a struggle, though we did read and review seventeen books, again leaning heavily on audiobooks and this time filling in where the CE missed a deadline or two.

As always, links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source information.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano (audiobook)
Down to the Wire by David Rosenfelt (audiobook)
Dark Dive by Andrew Mayne (audiobook)
Dying of the Light by Joe Regenbogen
After Dusk by Lynda McDaniel
The Missing Piece by John Lescroart (CE review)
Triptych by Karin Slaughter (audiobook)
Murder Road by Simone St James (audiobook)
Desert Heat by J A Jance (audiobook)
Your Forgotten Sons by Anne Montgomery (CE and me)
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Two of a Kind by Gail Meath
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman (audiobook)
City of Secrets by P J Tracy (CE review)
Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S Bryce and Eliza Knight (audiobook)
Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

The CE and I both read Your Forgotten Sons and loved it, touched us deeply, and will remain in memory.

Book of the Month for May—Your Forgotten Sons

My Reading Challenges page still is behind. I know it. Once again a vow to get to it when the chaos settles down. Right now, the Goodreads Challenge is four books behind schedule at 58 of 150.

Welcome to my new subscribers and I hope to get back to a schedule of visiting all of my followers soon!

Book Blurb:

Shortly after Ethan Marshall attends the lake-side funeral ceremony for his wife of forty years, he climbs into the car inside his enclosed garage in the suburbs of St. Louis, starts the engine, and waits to die. The toxic fumes were only minutes away from suffocating him when chance circumstance fortuitously saved his life.

Until Sarah’s death, Ethan had lived an idyllic life as a successful criminal defense attorney, a husband, and the father of two children. He had always believed, however, that Sarah was the keystone to his existence, and now that his grown children have fled the nest, he feels his best years are behind him, and he can no longer find a reason to get up in the morning.

Ethan’s path to redemption begins during a visit with his son, Noah, who is wrestling with his own dilemma. While camping with Noah along the Oregon coast, Ethan receives a call from Daryl, a person from his distant past who still haunts his conscience and is now homeless and in dire need of an experienced defense lawyer.

After returning to St. Louis, Ethan assembles a team that includes Noah, Tom, an old law school friend aimlessly living in a small Kansas town, and Owen, a former teacher who may have a vital contribution to offer. Together, this team will not only conduct a valiant effort in a trial to defend Daryl against outrageous charges but will each find a reason to rage against the dying of the light.

My Review:

This book captured my interest quickly with the opening scene that captures the profound loss felt by Ethan Marshall following the funeral for his wife. He is a criminal defense attorney and the father of two children but cannot envision a life with Sarah no longer in it.

It is by pure chance that he is saved by his daughter who promises not to tell her brother. Both are successful and lead busy lives. When Ethan camps with his son, he receives a call from his past who gets his attention and is now seeking help. Ethan can’t deny it—he feels, as he has for a long time—that he owes him.

With Ethan’s long experience, he can assemble a team that will work effectively to defend Daryl from serious charges. There are twists and turns and a solid investigation. The characters are well developed and easy to lend a sympathetic investment. The writing style is unique and I found many quotables:

“…a concept called the ‘over soul’ from Transcendentalism…the idea that all human souls are part of a larger soul.”

“However, despite the adage that ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ I’ve always believed that ‘justice rushed is justice crushed.’”

I enjoyed the court scenes and the crash course in the truth of the homeless. A real lesson learned and there are religious overtones. On the whole, a remarkable narrative and satisfying conclusion.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Religious Mysteries
Publisher: Ars Metaphysica
ASIN: B0CQW2R12G
Print Length: 319 pages
Publication Date: December 22, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link(s): Dying of the Light [Amazon}