👏🏻 💖 MORE! MORE! MORE! Reviews Coming In for "Too Decent to Die
So far the only criticism is they wanted more. Plus, a few of the 5 star reviews for you to check out.
Okay, so here I am again, trying to hustle some sales for Too Decent To Die. I know I wrote it, but it deserves to be read. If you like crime thrillers, you will love this. I’m proud to say it’s some of my best writing. Reviews are starting to come in and they all have one criticism, they wanted more. Here’s Chapter 1 to give you an idea.
Chapter1
The Edge of the World
John Weller felt the monster in his brain gnawing, chewing its way through him, and he knew his time was almost up. The wind cut through him as he sat on the edge of the world—his knees pulled tight to his chest; his eyes locked on the place where the silver-gray, Nantucket sky bled into the restless, silver-gray sea.
He had come here before—twenty years ago—when Chrissy was still alive, her golden hair streaming behind her as she darted barefoot across the surf, squealing at the icy water.
“Come on, Daddy! Play!” she had called to him, her laughter ringing like wind chimes. He could still see her face, the flush of her cheeks, the light in her eyes.
And then she was gone.
One moment of inattention, one wave too strong, and his world was swept away. Diane, his wife, had never forgiven him. Her grief had turned to silence, and the silence had turned to something worse. And slowly, the man John Weller used to be—the middle-class husband, the doting father—died too.
What took his place was something darker. A criminal. A thief. A killer. And Brenda—God, Brenda—his lover, his mistake, his punishment. She didn’t drag him into the life, he’d leapt in willingly.
The doctor gave him three months—six if he was lucky. Surgery? Maybe it would save him, probably not. Maybe it would leave him drooling in a wheelchair. That wasn’t a bet worth making.
Weller checked his watch. 7:30. The ferry would arrive in two hours, carrying Brenda with it—whiskey eyes and fire-engine lips, the woman who made him forget and reminded him all at once. He’d pick her up, take her back to the cottage, and let her scrape away the edges of his misery for one more night.
The fog began to creep in, thick and heavy, swallowing the shoreline whole. The sea became a vast nothingness, and for a moment, it looked like the end of the world. Weller stood, brushed the damp sand from his jeans, and walked to the waiting Jeep.
He turned the key in the ignition, and the Jeep groaned to life, its tires carving faint tracks in the wet sand, the wind whipping through the open window and biting at his skin. It was sharp and cold—something real, something he could feel.
Meantime, he’s being tracked down by Max Hardin, Hoboken ex-cop, Atlantic City private eye who has gotten himself into more than he can imagine.
It takes time getting reviews. The book has to be read. Not everybody is going to leave a review. Here are some for you to check out.
Top reviews from the United States
Ronald A. Ortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hope this is the first of a Max Hardin series.
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
Great storyline! Characters are real and relatable. Max Hardin character is very likable and Brenda is a doll. I only wish more time was spent on back stories of those two. The reader does get an excellent sense of the villain John Weller. Looking forward to follow-up novels.
Mike Scalero
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
Excellent read!! I hope this author puts out more titles.
BigRick C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get back to READING !!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
I normally absorb my stories from artists in the film or stage genre. I was introduced to this book by a friend and they said “I think this is more of your style than you realize.”
I immediately went back to when I was in high school & college and because of my age, there wasn’t much in the visual or video type options as the younger folks do. And I took the deep dive in and I was thrilled.
I couldn’t put it down until it was over.
I was slightly sad by two issues, number one when I was done it was over.
A number two the fact that I forgot how much I loved reading books , and I loved being transported into another place !!
I forgot how much of a fan I was diving into another world and letting your mind go where the author wanted you to go.
Great book
Fun journey
hope they’ve done more or they’re going to do more
Greg Z.
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Too Decent to Die' too good to overlook!
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025
Had opportunity to read an advance copy and this thriller will hold your attention from start to finish. Lou's word craftsmanship at an all-time high.
BUY IT NOW!
I’d like to write another Max Harding thriller but I would need to do some decent sales on this one so I know it would be worth it. Again, I ask that you check out my work and buy a copy. It’s in e-book (only $3.99), paperback, and hardbound. I believe you will really enjoy it.
Also don’t forget Scoundrels & Seafarers. This is also getting super good reviews. Because of the name it comes across as a pirate book, which it is in a portion of it, but it is a terrifically informative book about NJ history, it’s people, it’s topography and it’s contribution to winning the Revolutionary War.
Here’s a few reviews:
Top reviews from the United States
StudioTan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brings it all together
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
I knew very little about the significance of pirates and that era. It's remarkable how they impacted our future. Lou Mascolo makes it easy to grasp regardless of how vast the web of piracy went, especially in the NJ and eastern US. He pulls it in and helps you understand the characters and missions on those varied vessels.
Karen Cellini
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibly Interesting History of South Jersey
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024
It would seem only natural that the New Jersey coastline would be a major distribution center for goods during the revolutionary war, and that pirates were very much a part of this history. The book goes into detail about numerous battles that happened on New Jersey's shores, both on land and at sea. Buried treasures, pirates smuggling in stolen goods headed to British soldiers but intercepted make Scoundrels and Seafarers such an interesting history lesson in what actually took place at that time. Much money was made, many people were killed. To read about the lives and conditions in which these pirates, and what they endured was fascinating. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who lives and grew up in the vicinity of these south jersey waterways. I will be sharing it for sure!!
Ronald A. Ortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pirate Profiles Changed my Movie Biased View. Great Job!
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
Didn't know a lot about Pirates, Privateers and Jersey History. Found the book well researched and interesting. Pirates weren't always the bad guys and Privateers weren't always the good guys. Plenty of excellent illustrations accompany this fast reading book. Also enjoyed the history lesson about South Jersey.
Diane B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great History!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
A wonderful summary of the topic with an amazing amount of detail. As a volunteer member of the Atlantic County Historical Society for the last twelve years, I have been made well aware of some of the history of New Jersey privateers and pirates but only in bits and pieces. This book pulls most of it together with an easy to read and entertaining style with intriguing and supportive illustrations. With the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution approaching, it is great to read a refreshing take on how they have possibly affected the war's outcome. The book is a great introduction to the topic inspiring a reader to do even further research. This book is well needed as I have not come across any other like it. Very informative and a great price! Good for readers of all ages.
JOSEPH
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY INFORMATIVE
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
This is an amazing book filled with information about the history of New Jersey and how pirates, privateers and black marketers contributed to its economic growth and their part in winning the Revolutionary War. But that just a part of it. It is filled with historical info I never knew about and I'm a New Jersey native. If you are interested in Colonial history this should be part of your knowledge. High recommend.
Arthur Wolinsky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arrrrh ye interested in pirates?
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
If you are interested in pirates and live on the east coast you probably grew up hearing stories of the pirates and privateers who used the New Jersey harbors, bays, and inlets in their sometimes legal, but oft-times illegal activities. Lou Mascolo certainly did and has written an easy read that shed new light on old tales.
For a good part of my life, I lived on the Jersey shore about 20 minutes from Egg Harbor, but it wasn't until I read this book that I found out it got its name when the Dutch landed there in the early 1600s and found the shore littered with thousands of eggs from terns, gulls, and other birds. They named it Eryn Haven's (Egg Harbor).
I'm sure you know that some of our founding fathers were slave owners, but did you know that some of them were very active in smuggling? You'll also read about the Swamp Angels of the pine barrens, and he clears up some common misconceptions, especially those created by Hollywood's romanticizing of pirate life, especially aboard ship.
It isn't an in-depth study of the pirate life, and therein lies some of its strength. A complete picture would not be an easy read and those who are not die-hard pirate lovers might shy away. As it stands, it provides a substantial digest of pirate life that can be enjoyed by many. At the same time it provides enough detail for anyone wanting to dig deeper into any of the topics covered.
Buy it now!
LAST ONE!
Give The Kids A Great Tale! All 5 Star Reviews
