An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Book Review
Every once in a while, I have to do a book review. I read a LOT. And I do mean a WHOLE LOT! I promised one of the authors I would give him an honest review, good or bad, and that’s exactly what I am going to do! 
The title, in case you can’t read that, is Only Son, written by Shawn D. Goodwin and Pamela Meister.
So, who is Shawn D. Goodwin? None other than Wyatt Earp of Support Your Local Gunfighter fame, who I link to quite often on my Saturday Laundry thingamajig. How about Pamela Meister? Well, she, ladies and gentlemen, is quite the writer as well, known for her work at Big Hollywood, American Spectator, Family Security Matters, and frequently linked by other big name publications.
I’ve always liked a good murder mystery. I read quite a bit of Agatha Christie in my younger years, then it was Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter), and a few others that peaked my interest. My tastes in books change from time to time, and I tend to move on to other genres for a while, then circle around.
There are some books that will take a while to get into, and others that will grab your attention right from the opening lines. Only Son caught my attention immediately. Now, I’m not going to tell you the book is of the same caliber as an Agatha Christie novel. As best I know, neither author is British, and definitely live in the modern world. After reading through the first few chapters, the name Ed McBain popped into my mind, and never left.
I’m not going to give spoilers or anything. I will say, if you enjoy a good escape novel, with murder at the center, then I think you’d enjoy this one. For first timers, they’re pretty darn good. Of course, I don’t review books for a living, if I did, I’d find a lot of the ‘best sellers’ at the bottom of a heap on the floor. What others find entertaining, and what I find entertaining, are not always the same. I don’t go in for a lot of sex, four lettered words, or sappy bodice rippers. I like a good solid story that actually goes somewhere.
Ok…here comes the honest review. I really liked this book. That is until the last couple of chapters. It was like they were trying to hurry up and finish, and skipped a few vital points. 
grrrrrrr But I won’t tell ya which ones, cuz in all seriousness, this was a good read. I mean, yeah, you can figure out what’s what, but up until that point I kept thinking a minimum of 4 stars, maybe even 4 1/2. It’s an easy read, not too complicated, and it gave me a bit of that ‘theater of the mind’. I could see it being made into a TV movie, IF they do a bit of a rewrite that would translate better to the wee screen.
HOWEVER…. “I guess.”???? Wait……what? You better tell me y’all are working on a follow up! Otherwise, I just might have to take a trip up to Pennsylvania! 
So, what I’m going to do is give y’all……
Yup….3 1/2 ‘golden guns’. Hey…it’s a cop book…. with a murder. Guns seemed appropriate.
NOTE: (which has nothing to do with the content of the book) One thing I would like to ask….who set the price on the paperback version? Criminy! That’s pretty high for a paperback. Actually, even the Kindle version seemed rather high for unknown authors. But, oh well.
I’d also like to know who does the proof reading on the Kindle versions of just about EVERY book. This one didn’t have that many typos…one word was left out, but that was all I came across. BUT…in between chapters, there were up to 6 blank pages. I don’t think anything was left out, because it moved from one chapter to the next rather smoothly, but it was really annoying. I know, it’s not the writer’s fault. This is a common complaint of a LOT of Kindle users.
Thank you, Kate! Good points, all. And I’m to blame for the pricing. It’ll most likely come down, but it was about as low as I could go and still make tiny profit off it. (Personally, I’d rather it read more than making a buck, but the fault lies with me.)
I learned a lot this time – most notably to spend the money for an editor – but I’m glad people seem to like the story nonetheless.
Oh, and the Kindle text looked fine when I reviewed it, but a lot of people said there were blanks when it was released. That actually wasn’t my fault.
Well….that’s ok then. LOL Hey…you spent your time, you deserve to earn a buck or ten.
Usually, there is a note somewhere on a page where Amazon says “Don’t blame us, it’s the publisher that did it!” Obviously, not those words, but you get the drift.
So….when’s the sequel coming out? HUH HUH HUH????
*wanders into blog room, hands in front jeans pockets, looking around slowly* – Hey olbroad! Nice place you have here!
Wyatt is a long time friend I’ve never met (yet) and he mentioned you’d written a review of Only Son so I came on over to check it out………*pushes hat back on head* yep, really NICE place y’all have here…….. be a real shame if something were to happen to it, you know?
WHADDYA MEAN 3+1/2 Golden Guns?!? This is Wyatt’s first attempt at writing a book! OK, ok, co-authoring a book. And you SAID you wanted him to write a follow up on it and then you ONLY give him 3+1/2 Golden Guns? Really? Well, bless your heart!
You might want to, ah, rethink that there rating young lady, cause, as I said, y’all sure have a real nice place here and it’d be just a shame if anything were to happen to it.
I’d love to blame the publisher, but since I’m technically the publisher . . .
Guess I can’t pass the buck here.
Well if y’all gave it 4 stars on Amazon. That should get me a reprieve, shouldn’t it? then I reckon you’re alright. Don’t understand why 4 stars on
Amazon and only 3+1/2 Golden Guns here though? Ah well, its ok, really, I’m Wyatt’s friend, not his publicist (Praise the Lord)!!
Its just that to me, when a FRIEND asks for an honest review of his FIRST BOOK, that merits 5 (or even 6!) stars, just to encourage him I mean you could say what you did as constructive criticism, and still give him 5 out 5 anyway, couldn’t you?!
BTW, I really like your blog a lot. really very nice!
Well Mr Wyatt…since you are ‘technically the publisher’, you can set any cotton pickin’ price ya want!
I was doing some snooping, and apparently, the price isn’t that far off from other paperbacks these days. It’s been a while since I bought a physical book.
Gracious sakes….we’re talking GOLD guns here, don’cha know….as opposed to whimpy little yellow starts.
If I’m whining about having a sequel, ASAP, I think that’s a pretty good indication of encouragement, isn’t it? Besides, I’m nothing if not honest! 
And thank ya! Pop by any time…I’m usually here. LOL