Review: The Discovery

The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Publication Date: April 1, 2012
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Genre: Christian Fiction, Inspirational
Pages: Paperback, 345pp
ISBN-13: 978-0800719814

ISBN: 0800719816

(Received for an honest review from Revell Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, IndieBound

Dan Walsh on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from The Discovery

Synopsis: 

An Engrossing story of family secrets and a love for the ages.

When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfathers venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone - but which he clearly intended for Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spics and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future bu his past as well. 

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

Thoughts: 

Dan Walsh once again brings readers a book that will appeal to mainstream readers, as well as, Christian fiction and inspirational fans. His latest book, The Discovery is part historical fiction and part suspense novel. Walsh weaves two stories in an intricate plot that will keep readers mesmerized. He brings WWII to life like few other authors in the genre and his setting and descriptions are spot on.

This is probably my favorite book by Dan Walsh so far, and that's saying a lot. A previous novel by Walsh, The Deepest Waters almost made my top ten for 2011, but was narrowly edged out. Walsh is strong voice in the Christian and Inspirational market and fans will be thrilled with his latest novel, featuring a mystery, lost love and one man's future, all intertwined. One of the best parts of this book was the manuscript found by the protagonist. It was left by his grandfather a bestselling author and seems to be specific to Michael's life. I loved how both the manuscript and the story weaved themselves together. It made the plot slightly complicated, but I loved how it all played out. It was a great literary technique.

Micheal was a great lead in this one. He was an aspiring author, which is near and dear to many of us. He inherits a mansion left to him by his grandfather, how amazing would that be? The author's descriptions of it, makes it sound old and intriguing. I loved the descriptions of just about everything in this book. They are written from a male perspective and that was obvious, which made it that much more interesting to me, because it wasn't the way I would normally look at things. I definitely need to read more male authors, espeically if they are as well spoken as Dan Walsh.

The supporting cast of characters for this one was entertaining and really helped to move the story along, with the exception of Michael's wife. She was just not that interesting, she didn't add anything to the story as far as I was concerned. Marilyn however was a great addition as well as, Claire Richards and her father Hugh. I also like Father Flanagan. He truly had Ben's best interests at heart. Walsh does a great job of adding just the right amount of character interaction. The plot of this one sort of moved itself and didn't need a lot of action with the characters.

The story itself was amazing. I loved the overall plot and even found myself biting my nails in a few places. Especially with the body on the beach... Oh My! This is a very suspenseful novel that doesn't beat the reader over the head with a religious adgenda. His characters are not overbearing and preachy and his message is woven into the fabric of the tale, which made it a lot more understandable and believable. A great new book, by one of my favorite authors!

Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

I was born in Philadelphia in 1957 (guys don't care if you know) to a mostly blue-collar, hard-working Irish family. My Dad was the first person on either side of the family to earn a college degree. It took him nine years, working during the day, going to college at night, using the GI Bill from his war days in Korea. In the mid-sixties, General Electric hired him as an engineer for the Apollo space program. We packed up and moved to Florida, which is really where I grew up.
I spent my childhood years playing basketball and surfing. In the spring of my senior year in high school I met the woman who would become my wife, Cindi. We dated for a brief period. I asked her to marry me and, to my great surprise, she said yes. We were married near the end of 1976. We have two children, now grown.
The desire to write novels first began in high school. But I didn't have the time to pursue this passion until 2007.