Customer Reviews

Amen Corner

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fun read. Well crafted story that takes many surprizing turns. Don't need to be a golfer to enjoy the drama but the National and its April tourney are so well known to golfers worldwide, the story acquires added richness to many. A good gift to a golfer. I have no doubt that we will see more stories from Shefchik. All to the good.

Sam Skarda is a Minneapolis homicide detective and an excellent amateur golfer. A bullet to the knee while on duty requires long rehabilitation and a lot of walking--which for Skarda means golf. His dedication to practice gives him a shot at the U.S. Publinks championship--and when he wins an invitation to play in the Masters.

And this is a Masters like no other as he runs into his old Duke roommate, Shane Rockingham, now a star of the PGA tour and recently separated from his wife and caddy, Caroline. He connects with an old Augusta caddy, Dwight, who has caddied for former Master's champions, and who will be on the bag for Sam--if he's healthy enough. And there's a group of women protesting the Masters because the National doesn't allow women members.

But then things turn ugly. First one person critical of the "no-women" policy turns up dead at Amen Corner, and scarred into the green are the words "this is the last Masters." When a second turns up dead, the authorities are forced to look at the possibility that it is someone from the National's membership that is responsible for the murders. Augusta's chairman retains Skarda as a private advisor to work alongside of--and if possible, ahead of the police to find and stop the killer. No stone is to be left unturned, even though the chairman is convinced that no member could be behind the murders.

Though Shefchik identifies the murderer early in the book (and I prefer to keep guessing), he does lead the book's characters on a merry chase through a series of logical (and wrong) conclusions. Any avid murder mystery reader will enjoy watching he various characters follow the false trails and will admire Skarda's commitment to finding the truth--regardless of the cost.

Any golfer who's been to the Masters (and I have) will delight in the accurate descriptions of the course, the town, and the event itself.

Armchair Interviews says: Murder, intrigue, romance, a balancing of the books, and a moral to the story (several in fact) will leave the reader hoping that Shefchik has another book in the works.

This is a page turner. I couldn't put it down. As a golfer I loved the setting of a suspense story at Augusta National. One amusing thing that I noticed was the author's use of "y'all" to address a single person (I found this three times). Having been raised in the South, this was easy to pick up on. I will look for more Shefchik's work.

Bought it because the author is a MN writer. Not too bad a read. Good enough that I will probably by his second novel.

Rick has written a fast moving murder mystery which I think all (even non-golfers) would enjoy. I received my copy as a gift and proceeded to order more for gifts to friends.

If you like murder thrillers and golf, this is a must read. It is very entertaining from start to finish, especially in the way that real-life characters are woven into the novel (under fake names, of course - guessing who they are is the fun part).

A really quick and fun read, highly recommended.

OK, for golfers who enjoy a light read after playing 36, this is a fun little book. While I was looking for a little more details on the structure of the Augusta National club and membership, the book gave me enough details to hold my interest. Some day I'll get to Augusta to see the sights and walk Amen Corner .... but until then, this book can take gives a glimpse, and a different perspective.

Greatly enjoyed Mr. Shefchik's work which weaves wit, action and knowledge into a tight, believable plot. Really enjoyed the main character, Sam Skarda and look forward to his apprearance in other books Mr. Shefchik hopefully has planned.

Wonderful story referencing many things that golfers will be familiar with. A great Father's Day gift!

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (12/06)

Earning a chance to play in the masters at the Augusta National Golf Club appears at first to be a dream that has come true for twin cities Policeman Sam Skarda, but soon it becomes apparent that playing at the masters won't be all Sam does while in Augusta. Injured in the line of duty, Sam was encouraged to pursue his love of golf as a form of rehabilitation, but who knew he'd rise in the ranks to the point that he would qualify to play in the masters? Sam certainly didn't. He finds himself traveling to the masters reveling in his good fortune, never dreaming that he will become embroiled in a case that threatens to shut down the master's for good.

As "Amen Corner" begins, the reader quickly realizes that there are more hazards at the Augusta National Golf Club than mere sand traps. There is a killer loose with the sole purpose of stopping the masters at all costs, including taking the lives of any and all who stand in his way.

With a cunning that is sharp and a cool head besides, the killer methodically works towards his end goal of ending the masters and ruining the life of more than one person in particular. Avoiding detection throughout the book with an imagination and cruel methods besides, this killer is bound to achieve his desired end unless someone can stop him end his plan.

Sam Skarda is pulled into the fray when a body turns up with the words "This is the Last Masters" burnt into the grass on the nearby 10th green. With the deliberate destruction of the 10th green, one cannot help but wonder if the famed green jacket of the masters is doomed to be destroyed by this madman as well. Soon there are even more bodies, each one invoking a fear that cuts deep within the soul of those involved in the planning of the masters.

When the bodies of the Rules Committee Chairman, New York Times columnist Debra Scanlon and Danny Milligan turn up one after another, Sam finds he is a race against time. Caroline Rockingham finds herself by his side, serving as not only his caddy but his love interest as well and proves to the readers that she is not a woman to be fooled with, that she has savvy and strength of her own. Sam shows grit, drive and plain old street smarts as he works to outwit the master's killer at his own game and as the clock winds down on the masters, Sam pulls within himself a rock steady mind and keen insight that is needed so badly to stop the killer cold before he can get in the last shot in his deadly game.

As "Amen Corner" draws to an end and it becomes clear exactly what the master's killer has in mind for the finale in his twisted game, we see Sam even the score and sink what; to this reader, was the winning shot in a deadly race to save the masters and win more than the fabled green jacket...the masters itself!

As the daughter and wife of avid golfers, and one who is privy to their tales on the links, I found myself thoroughly enjoying every moment of this book. The sharp character of Sam, the "smarts" of Caroline and the cool determination of the killer, all make for an extremely entertaining read.

I would highly recommend "Amen Corner" for anyone with a love of golf as it is not only a mystery but a look behind the scenes of the masters and those who enjoy the game of golf. This book promises from start to finish to be a winner in every sense of the word and Sam Skarda delivers the winning stroke for the masters and ensures it's future in the world of golf as well, delivering both a great "read" and an engaging story all wrapped up in one!

Received book free of charge