Review of Fiddlers Creek

[Brenda Creech]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Fiddlers Creek" by Steve Taylor.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Fiddlers Creek by Steve Taylor takes the reader on a fast-paced ride involving a drug cartel, financial ruin, deception, torture, and murder. What would you do if you found $20,000,000 in suitcases inside a crashed plane and there were no bodies around the area? That is the dilemma 'Scrap' Scruggs was facing. He was also facing financial ruin and had not told his wife, Beth, who was in line for a prestigious job with the school district. He decided to take the money and hide it. Scrap knew it was drug money because the plane had two suitcases filled with drugs. He took several suitcases of money and hid some in his garage and the rest in different storage buildings. He began to ease some of it into his business. Little did Scrap know what was coming his way when a high-ranking crime boss named Snake traced the money to him.

Without warning, Scrap gets escorted to Snake's office. He agreed to give back Snake's money but would have to do it over time. He told Snake he had only taken four of the suitcases. Scrap laid out a plan to repay Snake the money, and he could do it so it would be clean money when he got it back. Out of character, Snake agreed on a date to meet Scrap again, but he warned Scrap his family was a target if Snake suspected anything was amiss. Snake was a high-profile drug lord smuggling drugs into the United States; he didn't play. Scrap had a good friend in the upper echelon of the FBI. Did he dare involve the FBI after receiving threats toward his wife and daughter? How would his friend feel about him when he learned what Scrap had done? Would he even help?

Taylor developed some interesting characters in this book. Snake's character was evil—no one messed with Snake. Scrap had gone to a military academy where he learned solid morals and values and lived by them until he found the money. He didn't appear to be someone who would stand a chance against Snake. The secondary characters are also well-developed and essential players.

I liked everything about this book. The storyline was intense, and the book has plenty of action and violence to satisfy the biggest crime novel fan. My favorite part was when Scrap was getting the suitcases out of the plane and moving them to his boat. My heart was pounding, wondering if he would make it before someone saw him. It is an adrenaline-pumping few moments in the book!

The only complaint I have is the amount of non-borderline profanity. However, I expected it because the book is about a drug cartel and the people involved. I don't think the book would have as much impact without some profanity to go along with the plot. I don't enjoy jumping over words as I read, but I still enjoyed this book. It appears professionally edited with only a few simple errors. There was one incident of partial nudity and several innuendos about sex but no graphic sexual content.

This well-written book has all the essential elements necessary to make a great read. Plenty of action, violence, deceit, and murder keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. The author's writing style is superb for this genre. The ending had surprises I had not anticipated, making it all the more spectacular. I gladly rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I did not find anything that warrants the deduction of a star. I recommend this book to mystery crime novel fans and those who enjoy lots of suspense and drama. Because of the descriptive violence and the drug smuggling theme, the ideal audience should be adults eighteen and older.

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Fiddlers Creek
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[Yasmine M]

I can understand the drug-lord being called Snake, cartel people often choose nicknames that make them sound terrifying as seen in many movies, books, etc. However I can't comprehend why the protagonist is named 'Scrap'; I suppose I will have to read the book to find out. The book has an interesting storyline, filled with action and mystery.

[Amy Luman]

I really like crime stories. This one with hidden money and secrets from drug kingpins, family, and the government makes me want to read it.

[Diana Lowery]

WOW! I wish I had the dilemma of finding $20 million dollars. Nice Review. I am glad you mentioned that there were surprises at the end.

[Brenda Creech]

I can understand the drug-lord being called Snake, cartel people often choose nicknames that make them sound terrifying as seen in many movies, books, etc. However I can't comprehend why the protagonist is named 'Scrap'; I suppose I will have to read the book to find out. The book has an interesting storyline, filled with action and mystery.

Yes, the characters all had some crazy nicknames! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I really like crime stories. This one with hidden money and secrets from drug kingpins, family, and the government makes me want to read it.

It is a good book. I loved the way it ended! It is very intense and one I couldn't wait to get back to when I had to stop reading for awhile! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

WOW! I wish I had the dilemma of finding $20 million dollars. Nice Review. I am glad you mentioned that there were surprises at the end.

You and me both! I can't even fathom what twenty million dollars would be like! Of .course it brought the protagonist a lot of problems and danger! Thanks for stopping by and commenting Diana!

[Marvelly]

I really like crime stories, it's always full of suspense and anticipation to want to read what is coming next. Scrap knew the money he got from suitcase was drug money and him still taking it's, actually it's the boldness for me, because he should I have know that definitely they will come back for it's or track it's, but I really hope he can get back the money before the deadline snake gave him

[Margi zuu202]

Tyler has lived a roller coaster life of excess spending over a million dollars on drugs but is miraculously still perform I like how the author brought other characters along, the storyline was intense and the book has plenty of action and violence to satisfie the biggest crime

[Junior Gesuka 1]

Taylor’s writing feels slightly repetitive in some places, but it’s mostly to make a point about the values and characteristics of the main characters. He really wants those characters to feel vulnerable and relatable. You can also tell that a lot of Taylor’s influences from his own life are in this novel.

There’s lots of twists and turns in this plot. I thought I had it all figured out, but there were quite a few surprises by the end. Taylor leaves it open ended for what happens beyond the life of Scrap and his family with the return of characters who I definitely thought were long gone or dead. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any storyline continuations in the future. Id love to read it!

[Brenda Creech]

Tyler has lived a roller coaster life of excess spending over a million dollars on drugs but is miraculously still perform I like how the author brought other characters along, the storyline was intense and the book has plenty of action and violence to satisfie the biggest crime

Yes, the storyline was intense and held my attention through the entire book!

[Valeria Rotaru]

This sounds a lot like the opening scene or the premable to the movie "No Country for Old Men". Also, this snake guy sounds a lot like a loser. Why would you let someone Stela your money and then give it back to you in increments as though you are some sort of bank. Anyways, I guess I'll read to find out.

[NetMassimo]

This seems like an intense and quite brutal crime thriller centered around drug dealers that keeps the readers' attention until the end. Thank you for your great review!

[Jennifer Coxon]

Thanks for a great review. This sounds like a really captivating book. I like the sound of the strong character development. I’ll be adding this to my bookshelf.