Second Thoughts
by: Bobbie O'Keefe
Published by: FiveStar, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Steven King, MBA, MEd
Euripides, a molder of tragedies in the 400’s B.C., once opined, “Among mortals second thoughts are wisest.” If Euripides would have read Second Thoughts, he probably would not have thought it very wise – but rather, a series of conveniently strung together coincidences.
Three men, Moose, Max, and Petey, conspire to rob a local entrepreneur, Julian Hayworth, to coerce him to return a vintage comic book. Hayworth has exploited Petey, Max’s slow-witted younger brother, by paying him $10 for the book. Max, a comic book aficionado, contends that the 1940’s era Steelman comic book is worth five grand and was going to sell it to take care of his mentally incapacitated brother. After one such revengeful crime, their lives become embroiled with a divorced couple, Connie and Derek.
Derek bumps into Connie at his brother’s house, where Connie is babysitting. Derek’s brother, Kevin, who is coincidently the local police chief, has taken his wife on vacation. Undeterred by this unexpected liaison with his ex, Derek convinces her to come along on the fishing trip he has planned for his nephew, Chris. An empty gas tank serves as the catalyst for them to approach the criminal’s lair to seek a ride to the gas station.
The three amigos decide to keep Derek and company hostage since they have seen one of the accoutrements of a previous crime: Petey’s nylon mask.
A psychiatrist would be proud of the display of the Stockholm Syndrome, since eventually, the captured empathize with the captors. Once released from captivity, the nephew spills the beans to his police chief father. Of course, there are insufficient details for him to investigate so immediate arrests are not made.
From there, the string of coincidences follow.
The book is good for comedic value but this reader wouldn’t give it a second thought.
Armchair Interviews says: A mystery with a comedic twist.
Author’s Web site: http://www.BobbieOKeefe.com
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