4 out of 4 stars
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The odd man furiously scrubbing his hands at the sink in the men’s room made him uncomfortable. He almost rushed out of the door, but his mother taught him that cleanliness was next to godliness. He approached the sink. Author C. Robert Holloway tells the mysterious story of Roberto in the novella titled Swan Song.
From a very young age, a mysterious gray man occasionally visited him. He quickly learned that it was a bad idea to mention his gray visitor to anyone. The visitor did not speak a word until they met in the men’s room at an unforgettable Judy Garland show in 1961. He considered the possibility that the meeting was a hallucination. The man seemed to be confused or mistaken. It became clear that the man was not mistaken when he slipped a letter under Roberto’s door with a wild proposition. Intrigued, Roberto considered accepting the curious request. The events that followed sent Roberto on a journey that would change his life forever.
This story is rich with moments of mystery, seduction, romance, and much more. I was captivated by Roberto’s story. I was fully engaged from page one to the final word of the novella. Each character is beautifully developed with their own unique flaws and personality. Moreover, historical fiction is always my first choice, and this book did not disappoint. There is a perfect balance of dramatic storytelling and conveyance of historical facts. Readers of romance and historical fiction will enjoy this book. While I did not find the characters in this story to be relatable, I did find them to be interesting and likable.
This is a well-written, well-edited, and well-organized book. There is not one grammar error to be found. The story is told with sophisticated, yet understandable language and flows seamlessly from scene to scene creating a pleasant reading experience. I recommend this book to fiction readers who enjoy mysterious historical fiction.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This novella is mystery and historical fiction at its finest. The book includes real photos that put faces to the names of key characters in the story. The skillful writing and editing make it pleasurable for a reader to follow this seductive mystery through to the shocking end. This story asks the reader to let go of reality and trust the protagonist even when it feels as though madness could be closing in.
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Swan Song
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