Customer Reviews

Showdown

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Flynn's second effort, SHOWDOWN, comes nearly 10 years and a lot of tough times after BEAM ENDS. While the book could have used a hard-nosed rewrite (there are some heavy-duty themes one wishes he'd developed more), it's still a fun read. Flynn tells the story of Seamus O'Thames, a young boat captain recovering from injuries and illness, haunted by a lost love and talked into taking an interesting mix of people up the New Guinea coast. Overall, it's a romantic tale, but there's a slightly disturbing bitterness throughout as well. Watch for Errol's comments about hero Seamus O'Thames' mother, and how the relationship between Seamus and Cleo develops. There's an obnoxious parrot named "Hedda" (as in "Hopper" the 40s gossip columnist)and a bratty child star. As with his first effort, BEAM ENDS, there's a lot of promise here, although the demons are beginning to close in on him. Had Flynn been slightly more disciplined and temperate, this novel might have succeeded critically. But never mind that now; put the Jimmy Buffet on, grab a cold brew and enjoy. Flynn's a great story teller and this book is worth a sunny afternoon's effort.

While the title seems made for a trite western film, this book could be nothing farther from that and is instead a happy surprise for the reader. It is very entertaining and well written. The characters are well-developed and nothing short of colorful. They seem to jump from the pages, while the descriptions of the geography and environment, sailing mishaps and local cultures provide a tactile picture for the audience. The author does a fine job conveying the varied emotions of the characters, especially those of Captain O'Thames from childhood through adulthood. There is plenty of action in the book and the plot and subplots move along well. This is a book that the reader will want to read again "in case the reader has missed something," and a second reading is just as much fun. This is a solid follow-up to Beam Ends, the author's first endeavor. It is sad that the author gave up writing extended pieces so early when he clearly has the talent and that talent would have been honed with more serious and dedicated production.

The second of Flynn's book's once again set against the absorbing atmosphere of the sea, with its insight into the lives of a group of Hollywood stars set against a New Guinea background