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A Consequence
Of Greed
Reviewed by Richard Blake for
Reader Views (8/06)
In
this amazing story Jack Eadon has captured the core
of today’s corporate world. Eadon involves the
reader in the politics, turmoil, and greed of Corporate
America. He reveals the baseness and beauty of a small
Central Texas town. This is done through the development
of colorful characters and a detailed description of
the environment and culture of the area.
Corporate trouble shooter, Marcus Ramsay, is originally
assigned to a division of Allied Foods, based in Chicago.
The Coyote Chili division in Corsicana, Texas, has not
been keeping up with population trends per capita, and
the operating income has been declining over the last
10 years since Earl Hickman became president after the
death of James Post, founder of the company.
Ramsay is faced with the challenge of turning the operation
around to produce a solution to these problems. Upon
his arrival in Corsicana, the spirit of James Post enters
Ramsay. Questions regarding the baffling death of James
Post come to light.
Marcus
and his secretary, Daisy, pry into the intriguing incidents
surrounding Hickman’s 10 year history as president
of the company. They discover evidence that implicate
some of the locals in a conspiracy to murder James Post.
The unscrupulous conduct of Earl Hickman, his wife,
Sheila, and Coyote broker Fred Benedict give another
dimension to the sinister evil surrounding an ongoing
conflict that builds to a crescendo of suspense.
Eadon has done his research on the locale of this
rural town in central Texas. He has a background in
corporate experience and is well qualified to “spin
this yarn” of corporate and personal greed, manipulation,
and revenge.
Eadon demonstrates a masterful skill for character
development and plot movement. He uses a remarkable
cast of characters to create suspense in this mysterious,
complex novel. This is a great read for mystery lovers
and for those who enjoy stories of corporate intrigue.
I was spellbound from the prologue right through to
the unexpected dramatic conclusion
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Reviewed by Richard Blake for
Reader Views (10/06)
This,
another of Jack Eadon’s American Drama novels, features
young Marcus Ramsay, an idealist, trusting, and naïve,
in business and relationships. Marcus is opening a specialty
advertising studio in Tustin, California. Before he has
even signed the lease on his studio, or officially opened
for business, an unscrupulous group of competitive studio
owners began a campaign to insure that Ramsay’s
business would fail. Eadon uses dialog to provide detailed
information on photography, photographic equipment, lighting
techniques, and photo shoots. This adds to the authenticity
and genuineness of his character, Marcus, who again finds
himself on the cutting edge in an extremely competitive
cut throat market. Vandalism, embezzlement, and arson
force Marcus to near defeat. Encouraged by counseling
from friends and peers Marcus accepts the challenge to
rebuild his business.
However, still feeling failure in his earlier corporate
career and devastated by his failed marriage, Marcus arranges
to meet the twin sister of Jessica, one of his models.
Her sister Suzanne is a Grand Canyon park ranger, who
is steeped in Hopi Indian lore, and ancient Indian healing
tradition. As the narrative unfolds and the cast of characters
is introduced, Eadon generates a sense of romance, mystery,
mistrust, and intrigue. His characters become real, complex,
and at risk. Eadon skillfully weaves a question of motive,
loyalty, and mistrust as Marcus openly avails himself
to them exposing his vulnerability. Influenced by the
writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eadon has dedicated this
book to him. Much of the subtleties of plot structure
and character are attributed to the inspiration and examples
learned from Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
Eadon’s descriptions of the Grand Canyon its grandeur,
beauty, and enormity are breathtaking. Eadon’s writing
is strong in plot and subplot, and all the elements of
good story telling. I savored every page as I journeyed
with Marcus Ramsay in his search for purpose and meaning
in his work and in his relationships. A fast moving plot
with unexpected twists and turns, Eadon takes the reader
on a roller coaster ride of romance, drama, and suspense,
with a stunning climatic surprise finish.
"Gigolo" on the Row
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake
for Reader Views (8/07)
Within
the first five pages of the book, I found myself completely
involved in Jack Eadon’s “‘Gigolo’
on the Row.” I wanted to step in and referee to
help Mark and Katrina resolve the escalating tension in
their marriage relationship.
Mark, a novelist, is engrossed in his writing career.
Katrina owns and operates a restaurant. The story is
set in a new housing development in rural mid-America.
Mark, in an effort to reconcile a misunderstanding,
takes Katrina to a favorite restaurant for dinner. While
taking a cell phone call outside in the parking lot
of the diner, Katrina becomes the victim of a hit and
run accident.
Her sudden tragic death causes Mark to suffer from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A series of events,
including the discovery that Katrina was pregnant at
the time of her death, prompts Mark to reflect on Katrina’s
past, and their declining intimacy of their marriage.
In this fast-paced plot, Mark falls in love with a
neighbor, becomes involved in counseling another woman,
and finds himself involved in a complex, perverse, neighborhood
deception. Instinct and circumstances convince Mark
that Katrina’s death was a murder and not an accident.
As the suspense builds, I began to anticipate the direction
the story was taking when a sudden twist in the plot
swiftly moved to a completely unexpected climactic ending.
Eadon’s dramatic dialog is an effective tool
for conveying helpful information, adding a dimension
to the narrative. Basic issues of the grief process,
an understanding of PTSD and abusive relationships are
presented in a non-text-book, helpful manner. Eadon
gives insight into the plight of visiting families in
the correction institutions and prisons.
Eadon has a unique way of involving the reader in the
action of his story and characters. I found myself empathizing
with his characters in their power struggles, their
relationships, conflictive motives, and their need for
moral support. Jack has a knack for reducing the psychic
distance between his hero and the reader. By making
his protagonist, Mark, somewhat naïve, simple,
and honest, he became genuine, making it easy for the
reader to be sympathetic with his role, in a sense “rooting”
for his success.
This is another in the Jack Eadon’s “American
Drama Series.” Eadon’s writing is strong.
“‘Gigolo’ on the Row” is destined
to become another best seller. Dramatic. Fast-Paced.
Entertainment.
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