John Caudill Author
A story worth telling
Who Killed Harlan Parker release October 2019
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A compelling and humorous mystery
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
John Caudill brings a deep knowledge of criminal justice and law enforcement, adds a sharp sense of humor, and produces a fast-paced, absorbing mystery - with comic touches on every page.
Lynne Cummings
A NEW GRIPPER
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2019
Hold on to your hats!!! This new authors first book is so full of page turning suspense with all of its unbelievable plot twists that you simply cannot put it down! It is so thoroughly entertaining that if you read it on the beach, you better bring a second book as this one is a gripper!
Can’t wait for his second book!!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2020
Amazing! Great storyline and wonderful expertise. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a mystery.
WHAT AN EXCELLENT SURPRISE!
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2020
Excellent well written and entertaining. John knows how to tell a story and how to build characters. Great descriptive book representative of the south.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2020
Jocomo Puccini
Not just a comedy. Not just a mystery. An enjoyable read to think about.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020
What did i like? Well, the characterization is wonderful. So many. So true to life. So like people I know.
The humor is delightful. Had to reread the first 15 or 20 pages twice because I kept thinking, "Did I read that right?" Then I began to chuckle.
Playing with tense to bring out the detective part of the mystery, "John Caudill sits down to write a novel."
I read it. Let it sit for a couple of weeks. Now, I'm going to go back and read it again. Just for the enjoyment.
Caudill is on to something.
Let's have some more.
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
A detailed story that grabs you from the first chapter, Who killed Harlan Parker is going to be around for along time. This book was well written by a pro who knows how to tell a story.
Review by TALES FROM THE BOOK DRAGON
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2020
Hello My Fellow Book Dragons! I have a real treat for you this evening! Our Gem is akin to an Agate, the official Gem of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where our tale takes place. It has many layers, some very beautiful, some so thin and fine it is hard to see them at first glance, we have to look carefully and read between the lines. This is not your average mystery, this is a good, old fashioned WHODUNIT, this is Gem Maker John Caudill’s “Who Killed Harlan Parker?”
Let me start out by saying, I loved this tale! Loved it, ate it up and digested it in less than 48 hours, made myself wait to read the ending because I wanted to mull it over and make sure I had chosen the right suspect before reading the end. I do something that non-Book Dragons (yes, my lovely beasties, there really are such beings in the world, shudder the thought) would find odd. When I get hold of a grand whodunit, after reading six chapters, I write down my suspect and put the name in an envelope. Then as the book goes on, I write down the clues and may or may not change my suspect. In this case, I was indeed right, but I must tell you I was sorely tempted on four separate occasions to change my suspect. This has only happened a few other times – with Christie, Doyle, Banner and Cornwall. Fantastic!
If someone does not snatch this up and make it into a movie then the people in London or Hollywood or wherever they do such things now, are idiots! I reiterate – I D I O T S! This tale is that good. This is John Caudill’s debut novel. It will not be the last time we hear from him, at least I hope he continues to write these whodunits. The world needs far more of these. Fun to read, wonderful characters, a great little town with just the right amount of the good and the bad, the villain is off’d and most things become right with the world. Ahh, Mrs. Christie, we miss ya!
This is the tale of a lawyer whom everyone hates. There is no sorrow when he dies. None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. He has hurt, cheated, angered, insulted, used and maimed (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc) everyone he has ever come across. Harlan Parker is the Scrooge of the modern world. And one fine day he comes up dead. As a doornail to quote Mr. Dickens. But who? Who is the person who did this wonderf –eh hmm – I mean, terrible, awful deed? Who is it? That my lovelies is for you to find out. And find out you must! I dare any of you to read the prologue (a mysterious poem) and the first two chapters of this book and not finish it.
Treat yourself to a trip into the Kentucky countryside, where trees grows tall, horses run behind pristine white fences, the air is scented with beautiful flowers and dirty lawyers get what is coming to them. “Who Killed Harlan Parker?” is one of the best whodunits I have ever read and that is saying something because I read voraciously as you know and I am picky. It’s available now, wherever great books are sold! Again I say, keep it up Mr. Caudill, please, your readers need you!
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
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