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CULTURED BY D.P. LYLE | PUBLICATION: MAY 2, 2023 OCEANVIEW PUBLISHING | GENRE: MYSTERY RATING: ★★★✬ |
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Money, sex, power. Jonathon Lindemann offers it all—just don’t mind the missing girls.
Jake Longly, ex-pro baseball player turned restauranteur, is back where he belongs: relaxing on the beach in front of his restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. His peace is interrupted, however, when he receives a call from his private investigator father—April Wilkerson has gone missing from Lindemann Farms, the rustic, yet posh, resort built by self-help and financial guru Jonathon Lindemann.
Lindemann, founder of The Lindemann Method (TLM), recruits wealthy people to join his program, charging a hefty entry fee but in return promising huge financial gains and self-enlightenment. Jake’s celebrity status makes him the best person for the case.
When Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, go on an undercover visit to Lindemann Farms, some suspicious activity makes them wonder about the legitimacy of TLM. Soon, a private conversation with one of the girls hired to work at the resort reveals their unorthodox, and immoral, recruitment methods.
As the layers peel away, darker edges appear. Does Jonathon truly make money for his investors, or is he a scam artist? Is April merely the latest in a series of missing young women? Jake and Nicole need to find her, and soon, before TLM catches wind of their true reasons for visiting the farm.
Jake Longly, ex-pro baseball player turned restauranteur, is back where he belongs: relaxing on the beach in front of his restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. His peace is interrupted, however, when he receives a call from his private investigator father—April Wilkerson has gone missing from Lindemann Farms, the rustic, yet posh, resort built by self-help and financial guru Jonathon Lindemann.
Lindemann, founder of The Lindemann Method (TLM), recruits wealthy people to join his program, charging a hefty entry fee but in return promising huge financial gains and self-enlightenment. Jake’s celebrity status makes him the best person for the case.
When Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, go on an undercover visit to Lindemann Farms, some suspicious activity makes them wonder about the legitimacy of TLM. Soon, a private conversation with one of the girls hired to work at the resort reveals their unorthodox, and immoral, recruitment methods.
As the layers peel away, darker edges appear. Does Jonathon truly make money for his investors, or is he a scam artist? Is April merely the latest in a series of missing young women? Jake and Nicole need to find her, and soon, before TLM catches wind of their true reasons for visiting the farm.
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The Jake Longley series has been captivating readers with its blend of mystery and humor. For those new to the series, me included, CULTURED offers a seamless entry point, providing just enough backstory to acquaint readers with the world of Jake Longley without overwhelming them with past narratives.
At the heart of CULTURED is Jake Longley himself, a former Major League Baseball pitcher turned bar and restaurant owner. His peaceful retirement in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is interrupted when his father, Ray, enlists his help to find a missing young woman, April Wilkerson. The search leads Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, to the Lindemann Farm, home to The Lindemann Method (TLM) and its charismatic founder, Jonathan Lindemann.
The farm, with its serene facade, hides more than it reveals. As Jake and Nicole delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and questionable practices, suggesting that April's disappearance might be part of a larger, more sinister puzzle. The narrative is skillfully told from Jake's perspective, with strategic shifts that offer glimpses into the hidden layers of the story.
CULTURED has a light-hearted approach to the detective genre. The novel doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing for a reading experience that is predominantly entertaining. The ease with which Jake and his team unravel the mystery makes for a smooth and pleasant read, with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
While CULTURED may not delve into profound thematic depths, its strength lies in its vivid descriptions and the fun, almost playful nature of the investigation. It's a novel that doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a delightful escape into a world of intrigue and charm.
For those who have followed Jake Longley's adventures from the beginning, CULTURED is a satisfying continuation of the series. For newcomers, it's an invitation to explore the earlier books, promising more of the wit and mystery that makes the series appealing.
At the heart of CULTURED is Jake Longley himself, a former Major League Baseball pitcher turned bar and restaurant owner. His peaceful retirement in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is interrupted when his father, Ray, enlists his help to find a missing young woman, April Wilkerson. The search leads Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, to the Lindemann Farm, home to The Lindemann Method (TLM) and its charismatic founder, Jonathan Lindemann.
The farm, with its serene facade, hides more than it reveals. As Jake and Nicole delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and questionable practices, suggesting that April's disappearance might be part of a larger, more sinister puzzle. The narrative is skillfully told from Jake's perspective, with strategic shifts that offer glimpses into the hidden layers of the story.
CULTURED has a light-hearted approach to the detective genre. The novel doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing for a reading experience that is predominantly entertaining. The ease with which Jake and his team unravel the mystery makes for a smooth and pleasant read, with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
While CULTURED may not delve into profound thematic depths, its strength lies in its vivid descriptions and the fun, almost playful nature of the investigation. It's a novel that doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a delightful escape into a world of intrigue and charm.
For those who have followed Jake Longley's adventures from the beginning, CULTURED is a satisfying continuation of the series. For newcomers, it's an invitation to explore the earlier books, promising more of the wit and mystery that makes the series appealing.
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About the Author:
D.P. Lyle is the Edgar, Macavity, and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books. Cultured is the sixth in his best-selling Jake Longly Thriller Series. Earlier books in the series were finalists for the Shamus Award, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award, and the USA Best Book Award, and were included on Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year list. Lyle has authored 20 books, been a consultant to numerous novelists and screenwriters of popular TV shows, served as co-host of Crime and Science Radio, and currently hosts the Criminal Mischief podcast series. He lives in Orange County, California.
*Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss for the ebook
in exchange for this unbiased review.
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