Customer Reviews

Lost Hours

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lost Hours by D.K. Gaston is an enjoyable journey into old-school detective noir. Joseph Valentine's father was stabbed to death in the early eighties and he does not have a clue what happened to him. What he does know is that he was found standing over his father with the death weapon in his hand with no memory of what occurred. Though a child at the time of the murder, his father's death haunts him for years, causing him to become estranged from his family. He vows that one day he will find out what occurred and solve the mystery surrounding the murder that haunts him.

As an adult Joseph changes his name, becoming Detective Joseph Hooks. He is continually haunted by those events that he cannot quite remember. As a result his personal life is a shambles. His wife is unfaithful and his siblings are not too keen on his delving into the past. Joseph also has personal demons he is trying to battle, most specifically alcoholism. However, he is determined to overcome all these issues and find the truth. But will he be allowed to or does someone with something to hide have plans for him?

Lost Hours is an enjoyable, topsy-turvy detective story filled with drama, humanity and pain. I recommend this book to all who enjoy a good detective novel.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

Joseph Hooks is a private detective getting ready to embark on the most important case of his life. Hooks is going to investigate the murder of his father, that happened 23 years ago. The case is closed, and a man was accused guilty, a then 12 year old Hooks!! Hooks has no recollection of killing his father. All he remembers is standing over his father's corpse with the knife in his hand. Hook, born Joseph Valentine has done everything that he can to forget the murder. Hook changed his name, married, and rejected any contact from his family. After seperating from his wife, Hook has an intense urge to find out once for all if he killed his father.

Hook soon discovers that some people do not want this case reopened including his family. With his marriage in shambles, Hook is determined to solve the case. Dealing with the emotions that come with the investigation, Hook's soberity is pushed to the limit. While Hook believes that the case is simple, he soon stumbles somethings that he had no idea about, or did he? People will do anything to ensure that Hook does not remember, including murder!! When Hook finally remembers the day of the murder, it is devastating!!!

Gaston has written a great mystery, that will keep readers guessing. Gaston pulls you into ever scene and has you holding your breathe. Hook is a character that stays with you. He is a very complex character, and a breathe of fresh air, not falling into the very common one dimensional caterogory. This is a great, modern mystery that readers will throughly enjoy.

[...]

Joseph Hooks is trying to solve a twenty-three year old murder. The problem is that he is the one who is accused of killing his father as a child. All he remembers is standing over his father's body with a bloody knife but doesn't remember anything else. Joseph is now a private investigator and is trying get to the bottom of this mystery. But as he gets closer to the truth, he keeps running into brick walls. No one wants Joseph to know the truth including his brother and his sisters. Joseph is also dealing with his wife cheating on him with a colleague and his son getting in trouble at school. Joseph will be in for the shock of his life when solving this mystery reveals some twisted childhood secrets that will rock him to his core.

Lost Hours is a breathtaking novel by D.K. Gaston. Gaston created an emotionally-charged mystery that really tugs at your heartstrings. You feel the drive and frustration of Joseph as he tries to solve this murder that has plagued his life. Readers won't be able to flip the pages fast enough as the secrets of this mystery unfold. Gaston did a wonderful job of incorporating multiple characters that were an integral part of the storyline. You will feel every emotion of every character in this story. This novel covers a lot of topics including murder, police corruption and sexual abuse. Lost Hours is an absorbing murder mystery that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

What a great book that even had me second guessing anything and everyone in this book. Joe is such a likable guy that even though he has such a rough personal life. You feel sorry for him but his determination is just a wonderful breath of fresh air. I read darkest Hours first and fell in love with Joe and Kool-Aid. DK Gaston knows what to do to keep you interested in his stories. I hope that he will give us more adventures with Joe and I hope Kool-Aid makes an appearance as well.

Joseph Hooks is a private investigator with an unpleasant past. He was accused of killing his father on Father's Day when he was 12 years old. He has no memory of that day or the events surrounding his father's death. All he knows is he spent two years in a mental hospital for the crime. Twenty-three years later, on the verge of a divorce, coupled with his son being the same age he was when his father died; his mind becomes consumed with finding out the truth about his father's death. As he investigates the murder, he opens up old wounds with his estrange siblings, deals with a less than cooperative Detroit police force and runs into some well connected people who don't want the truth known.

D.K. Gaston's Joseph Hooks is a powerful character. Hooks' drive and determination reaches out of the pages and grabs the reader. The internal conflict to protect his loved ones, while uncovering the past highlights Hooks' strength and compassion. Even though the book's genre is listed as Murder, Mystery, Thriller; I know this book will appeal to science fiction fans. I recommend this book and I especially recommend D.K. Gaston. He is a super talented author.

Malcolm Dylan Petteway
Rage Books Reading Club
[...]

If you like mystery, suspense, lies, etc, This is the book for you. I just became a fan after reading Tease another great book.

Lost Hours by D.K. Gaston is about a private detective name Joseph Hooks. Joseph is on a case that has haunted him for years. The murder of his father, that happened 23 years ago, of which 12 year old Joseph Hooks was accused of the crime. Hooks has no memory of killing his father. All he remembers is standing over his father's body with the knife in his hand. Joseph can not forget the murder. Joseph is determine to find his father's killer.

Reading this book you can feel the emotions as Joseph tries to solve his father's murder. You will be turning the pages quickly as the secrets unfolds. The characters were great.. You can feel the emotions of every character in this story. I loved the book cover fits the story perfectly.

This novel covers a lot of topics including murder, police corruption and sexual abuse. Lost Hours is a murder mystery that will leave you guessing until the end.


This book will be a great book club discussion. I recommend this book to all readers. I am usually not a murder mystery reader, but this the 3rd book of
author D. K. Gaston that I have truly enjoyed. Thank you Mr. Gaston for widening my reading.

DK,

I enjoyed every minute of "Lost Hours". Joe Hooks takes the reader into a world of exciting twists along with great pain and suffering. A great detective story with every bit of love, hate, deceit and unbelievable hidden secrets! The ending will shock you!

Twelve-year-old Joseph Valentine is accused of killing his own father.He can't recall harming or even killing his father, but somehow he's convicted of his murder. Fifteen years later and a new last name, Joseph is trying to make amends with his estranged wife and son. Recently he's haunted by his lacking memory of the events surrounding his father's death. He's determined to find the answers he's tried to remember for so long, while doing so he'll get more than answers, he'll also get the truth about everything.

LOST HOURS by D.K. Gaston has twists and turns throughout the story, some I thought were a bit exaggerated. Gaston introduces a list of suspects who were capable of committing the crime. While I understood the frustration Joseph felt determining who was the actual criminal, I predicted early on who were the main suspects. I was pleasantly surprised when the story was revealed and who actually committed the crime.

Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Joseph Hooks keeps remembering the time when he committed murder. Now, he wants to put some twenty three year old questions to rest for good. His mind has blanked out those twelve hours leading up to the murder of his father. Subconsciously, who is he really protecting?

Joe has immersed himself in his job as a private detective, causing a rift in his family. His wife wants a divorce and he's disconnected from his son. Will discovering what happened during the lost hours of his life be the key that brings his family back together?

DK Gaston has created a story with believable characters that have credible traits. These are the type of characters that keep the reader interested and anxious for more. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Excellent job, DK!

Reviewed by Teresa D. Patterson, Author of Project Queen.