Thriller-Crime-Fiction with a Coming-of-Age Thread by Joseph Lewis
Fan Mail is one of my favorite books. I know it might not be cosher to fall in love with one author’s works over another, but this one, Fan Mail, meant much to me as I wrote it, and even after a year, it still means much to me. I smiled, laughed, wept and in some spots, sobbed as I wrote it. From what my readers tell me, they did the same.
Thriller-Crime-Mystery is a huge genre with many authors tackling it successfully. Some like James Patterson, David Baldacci, and John Sandford (three of my go-to authors) have made a happy living writing in it. What sets me apart from them and most writers of the genre, I think, is that I blend a coming-of-age thread into each book. I believe it’s because of my years in education and counseling, but it could just be what I’m interested in exploring. In any case, it works for me.
It’s safe to say Fan Mail is, at its core, a coming-of-age story embedded in a tight thriller-crime-mystery. It’s more the former than the latter, but both the pure thriller reader and the coming-of-age reader will get their fix. At least, that’s what some of the reviewers hinted at. I’ll post some reviews after the snippet, along with the synopsis and the link for purchase.
This snippet comes midway through the end of Chapter 44. Jeremy, the boys’ adoptive father and husband to Vicky, has come home from the hospital. He suffered what he calls a “heart event” but what everyone else calls a “heart attack.” It was brought on by stress: a car bomb, ever threatening letters, and friction amongst his adopted boys. Those things and a fairly unhealthy lifestyle of high caloric food and not enough exercise pushed him into the hospital.
He sits at the kitchen table surrounded by his wife and his boys, and is intent on reassuring his family he’s okay, but as he states, he needs to make some adjustments to the way he has lived. Like many of us, I guess. Randy, his first adopted son tried to hijack the meeting, but Jeremy politely, and Brett not so politely, asked/told him to remain quiet.
Brian feels he is the focal point of the conversation, and he, like some of the other brothers, feel he is the reason for Jeremy’s heart attack. He has had enough. Enough of Randy. Enough of the unwanted attention and what he thinks are the silent, accusatory glances from Jeremy and some of his brothers. Pushed to the end of his rope, Brian interrupts Jeremy’s agenda with his own.
…
“You and I have never been the same since Bobby’s and my relationship began. That’s the only thing I can think of that caused it.”
He sighed. He didn’t know how what he said next might land, but he said, “Honestly, I don’t think you like me, and I don’t think you love me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m gay or because of Bobby’s and my relationship or what. But that’s how I feel.”
Jeremy leaned forward and objected when Brian said, “Please, let me finish. Please.”
Remembering Jeff’s caution to him, Jeremy nodded, his eyes downcast.
“My relationship with Bobby hurt this family. I never meant for that to happen, and neither did Bobby. As hard as it is, he and I needed to end it. Mostly me, I guess.”
Jeremy leaned forward again, but Brian held out his hand to stop him from speaking.
“I love this family. I love living here. Or at least I did. Honestly, I’m not so sure anymore.” He made eye contact with each of the boys, except for Randy, and said, “But you guys are my friends.”
His right hand shook even more, so he held onto it with his left. He took a deep breath.
“I gave a lot to this family. That guy in the woods. I kept thinking, ‘I can’t let him get to the house. I have to stop him.’ I kept thinking that. I didn’t want anyone hurt or killed. He had to be stopped.”
“We know, Brian,” Billy said.
“Please, let me finish,” Brian said.
Billy nodded. Vicky took a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. Randy stared at his folded hands on the table. George looked down at his lap. Two glanced around the table at everyone, mostly at Jeremy.
“When we were in Arizona, I had to protect Brett and George.” Brian turned to Vicky and said, “I know you blame yourself for what happened, but I would have done the same thing even if I didn’t make that promise to you. I love Brett and George.”
“He turned to Jeremy and said, “I know how important George is to you.” He turned to Vicky and said, “And I know how important Brett and Michael are to you.”
Brian paused as he chose his words carefully and deliberately. He finally said, “I know how important Randy, and Billy, and George are to dad, and I know how important Brett, and Bobby, and Michael are to you.” What he didn’t say, but felt, was that he didn’t know if he was important to either of them.
He felt a lump growing in his chest, and a tear dribbled down his cheek, followed by others.
“I did what I did in Arizona because I love this family. I didn’t want our family ruined. If something would have happened to either Brett or George or Michael, our family would have been a mess, and I think I would have been blamed.”
Both Vicky and Jeremy objected. “No, Brian, that’s not right.” “You did more than you should have. You put your life on the line.”
Brian heard it, but it didn’t matter. Brett reached out and tried to take hold of Brian’s shaking hand, but Brian snatched it away from him.
“I look at everything that has happened since then.” He held up his shaking hand and said, “This. My nightmares, even though I haven’t had them in a long time. The scars around my right eye.” He grabbed at the white hair on his head and said, “This shit.” He took off his glasses, and smashed them on the table and said, “I have to wear these stupid things.”
The boys blinked and sat back like a grenade had been tossed on the table. Vicky jumped in her seat. Jeremy felt like he needed to say something, anything. But Brian plowed on.
He chuckled without mirth, and said, “And you know what? I’d do it all again to make sure you guys were safe. All of you. Even you, Randy.”
He shook his head, wiped tears off his face with his hands and said, “I think about the night before you went to the hospital and all the stuff you said. I know you were upset about the letters, but I think there was more to it than that. Like I said, I don’t think you like me, and I don’t think you love me. I think you regret adopting me and you regret letting me move in.”
Brian sighed, stood up, and said, “Sorry if it upsets you, but that’s how I feel. No matter what I do or what I’ve done to help this family, it’s not good enough. I’ve screwed it up. For all of you.”
He pushed his chair in and said, “The one thing I regret the most is when we were in Arizona, when I walked up the hill above George’s ranch and I was alone. What I regret the most is that I didn’t pull the trigger.”
Brian walked out of the kitchen despite Jeremy urging him to stay. He left the broken glasses on the table and walked up the stairs to his bedroom. He shut and locked the door behind him. He didn’t even allow Papa or Jasper in the room with him.
—
That was a tough scene to write for me. I had to showcase Brian’s feelings in a way that was honest yet not disrespectful. It was one of many tough scenes in Fan Mail. Raw emotion drips from almost each page, and never really lets up, even after you close the book.
As promised, here are some reviews for Fan Mail, along with the synopsis and the purchase link. You can check out all my books on my website located at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com
Thanks for following along with me on my writing journey. I’d love to hear what you think, so please drop me a note using the comment section below. Until next time …
“Fan Mail is not just a thrilling suspense novel; it also delves into themes of loyalty, family, and the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to protect their loved ones. The story prompts readers to ponder what they might do in similar circumstances, highlighting the complexities of human nature.
In conclusion, Fan Mail is a compelling and suspenseful thriller that captivates readers with its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. Joseph Lewis skillfully explores the consequences of obsession and violence on a close-knit family, making this book an engrossing and emotionally charged read. Fans of thrilling and suspenseful novels will find “Fan Mail” to be a gripping and satisfying addition to the genre.” – Ultimate World, Reviewer
“Fan Mail masterfully explores brotherhood and healing while delivering a compelling crime thriller in this latest from Joseph Lewis.” – Sublime Book Review
“An emotionally explosive and life-affirming coming of age story wrapped within a simmering crime thriller.” – BestThrillers.com
“Starts with a bang and does not stop its relentless shrapnel barrage until you are crying with the characters. Fabulous job by the author. You want to read this one.” – Tina O’Hailey, author of Dark Drink
“Fan Mail is like a mirror held up to contemporary society, brilliantly reflecting and portraying our lives, struggles, troubles, delicate relationships, and so much more.” – Readers’ Favorite
“An interesting coming-of-age novel with a dark twist. Looking forward to the next one.” – Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series
“Short chapters, fast-paced, and terrific attention to telling details combined with a strong plot and great characters added up to a satisfying read. Thanks for another excellent story!” – Karen E. Osborne, author of Reckonings and Tangled Lies
A barrage of threatening letters, a car bomb, and a heart attack rip apart what was once a close-knit family of adopted brothers.
Randy and Bobby, along with fellow band member and best friend, Danny, receive fan mail that turns menacing. They ignore it, but to their detriment. The sender turns up the heat. Violence upends their world. It rocks the relationship between the boys and ripples through their family, nearly killing their dad.
As these boys turn on each other, adopted brother Brian flashes back to that event in Arizona where he nearly lost his life saving his brothers. The scars on his face and arms healed, but not his heart. Would he once again have to put himself in harm’s way to save them? And, if faced with that choice, will he?
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