After this post, I thought I should mention that Nook readers generally have very nice things to say about Dover Beach. Here’s the current “most helpful” review:
The most satisfying read in a long time. This was my first book by Mr. Bowker, but it won’t be my last. Unpretentious, well written fun. Effortlessly realized characters who inhabit an engaging, imaginative story. You don’t have to be a fan of the noir detective genre to enjoy this book, but for those who are, it will be a real treat.
So there. That was a five-star review. Here’s a nice four-star review:
A post-apocalyptic Boston and its first private eye? Sure, why not? Quite good character development and plot, great atmosphere. I dare to say it could move to the big screen very well. There was nice exposition of the “whats” of this future, but never explained much about the whys and hows of the apocalypse – just enough – I was satisfied. I would hardly call Dover Beach a science fiction novel, though. I could hardly put it down, and plan to buy more after this Free Friday treat. Enjoy!
Of course, ya gotta love reviewers who say they plan to buy more of your stuff. That, of course, is the point of making a book free. This seems to be working, at least on Barnes & Noble. Dover Beach‘s sequel, The Distance Beacons, currently has a very nice sales rank of 819, which, oddly, is higher than Dover Beach‘s rank. This is working out way better than on Amazon, where Dover Beach is still free, but The Distance Beacons has a rather dreary sales rank of 176,736. Too bad. But here’s a nice review of Dover Beach from an Amazon reader to compensate:
Richard Bowker presents an awesome look at the role of a P.I. in a post-apocalyptic world. My first reaction was what on Earth would the remains of society need a Private Investigator for—it’s unlikely a P.I. would be hired to checkout phony insurance claims when there ain’t no more insurance companies. Richard builds a compelling plot with polished nuances sparkling for the reader. The plight of the survivors in Boston is rather frightful. The contrast between the shattered United States and merry old England is striking. He provides a nicely developed depth to his cast of players, and with all things considered, their surroundings are believable. I liked how he addresses real world money issues and there isn’t a P.I. with a pocket full of cash—but a meal at a London McDonalds is affordable. Richard did a marvelous job of resolving all the dangling loose ends—including a few dangling parts the reader doesn’t suspect are dangling—so to speak.
I like the way he calls me “Richard.” Like we’re friends. And we are!
