OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "American Lease" by K. D. McAdams.]

American Lease by K. D. McAdams is a very enjoyable crime thriller. Dylan Cole is a likeable and hardworking young man. However, he has a criminal record dating back to his varsity football days when he became hooked on performance enhancing drugs.

While walking his faithful dog, Montana, he stumbles across the body of a policeman and the policeman’s killer. He is then forced at gunpoint to help the killer escape. Despite being a victim in this scenario, Dylan finds the truth behind the old adage, ‘give a dog a bad name and hang him’. Because of his criminal record, the police and local people immediately label him ‘cop killer’ and treat him accordingly.

The driving force of the story is the hunt for a document (that may or may not exist) which leased what was then British America to the American Continental Congress. The 250 year lease is now due to expire and could potentially return large swathes of North America to the British Crown. Personally, as I drink my tea and wave a Union flag, I can’t see what all the fuss is about. However, had the lease been sold on, it might now belong to Russia or Iraq, so I can see how that might be a tad problematic.

I enjoyed this book very much, it’s fast paced and exciting, it contains some well researched history and a collection of likeable characters. To add to the story, there is Dylan’s battle with drug addiction. Though he has now been clean for nearly seven years, every day is a struggle, and the frustrations of his current predicament make the desire to drop out almost overwhelming. There is violence, but it’s not gratuitous. We also see the blossoming of a relationship, but thankfully are not subjected to any grinding sex scenes.

In some ways the race to find an ancient document reminds me of The Da Vinci Code, except that I found American Lease more enjoyable and I actually liked the main characters.

There are a couple of items that I found problematic. Firstly, England and Britain are used interchangeably, and the line ‘England was the largest and most powerful country in the world’ is wrong on more than one level. England is one of three countries that make up Britain, the others being Scotland and Wales. Britain ruled the British Empire which was the largest and most powerful in the world.

I was also confused over how some of the clues were followed (what made Abby go to page three of the document?), but then I struggled to follow the logic of the clues in The Da Vinci Code as well, so maybe it’s just me.

The book is well written, but it needs to be given to an editor. I found a large number of typos and the book would be much improved by their removal. Because of these problems with the book, I have given it 3 out of 4 stars.

This book would appeal to anybody who likes a fast paced crime thriller.

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American Lease
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Like Helen_Combe's review? Post a comment saying so!

You have some valid criticisms of the book but appear to have enjoyed it overall. I might give it a try. Thanks for an informative review!

stacie k wrote: ↑15 Apr 2018, 00:37 You have some valid criticisms of the book but appear to have enjoyed it overall. I might give it a try. Thanks for an informative review!

Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for the thorough and interesting review! I've heard there's this 'Anglophile' genre - using England and Britain interchangeably would annoy me too (as do references to a 'British' accent)! I seem to remember finding the Da Vinci code a bit hard to fathom too, so I don't think it's just you.

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 09:24 Thanks for the thorough and interesting review! I've heard there's this 'Anglophile' genre - using England and Britain interchangeably would annoy me too (as do references to a 'British' accent)! I seem to remember finding the Da Vinci code a bit hard to fathom too, so I don't think it's just you.

Thank you. Mixing England and Britain isn’t so annoying for me as I’m English (drinks tea, waves flag) but it really upsets the Scots and the Welsh and with good reason.

Helen_Combe wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 09:32

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 09:24 Thanks for the thorough and interesting review! I've heard there's this 'Anglophile' genre - using England and Britain interchangeably would annoy me too (as do references to a 'British' accent)! I seem to remember finding the Da Vinci code a bit hard to fathom too, so I don't think it's just you.

Thank you. Mixing England and Britain isn’t so annoying for me as I’m English (drinks tea, waves flag) but it really upsets the Scots and the Welsh and with good reason.

I am originally from England though I have not lived there for a long time. I have a slight preference for identifying as British, I guess. (If only England had a better football team ...)

What could possibly go wrong for an ex-con who has to help a killer escape? Wow, does that sound crazy! And, on top of it, he had a drug problem that he is trying to get away from. This book has all the makings of an edge of your seat read, it sounds like. Thank you for speaking about the romantic involvement. I am not big into graphic sex scenes or gore. If it is suggested, that is okay, but I don't need to be inundated with it, so that was nice to see in your review because, for me, some of that makes or breaks a book for me. I know, I am old fashioned in my thinking, but it doesn't entertain me, and that is what a book should do. Sounds like this one fits the bill! Thank you for your review.

cpru68 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 20:01 What could possibly go wrong for an ex-con who has to help a killer escape? Wow, does that sound crazy! And, on top of it, he had a drug problem that he is trying to get away from. This book has all the makings of an edge of your seat read, it sounds like. Thank you for speaking about the romantic involvement. I am not big into graphic sex scenes or gore. If it is suggested, that is okay, but I don't need to be inundated with it, so that was nice to see in your review because, for me, some of that makes or breaks a book for me. I know, I am old fashioned in my thinking, but it doesn't entertain me, and that is what a book should do. Sounds like this one fits the bill! Thank you for your review.

Thank you. I hope you read and enjoy the book.

I was also mind-boggled in The Da Vinci Code. It’s definitely not only you. I think these books are made to be read twice Thanks for a great review!

Bianka Walter wrote: ↑17 Apr 2018, 03:29 I was also mind-boggled in The Da Vinci Code. It’s definitely not only you. I think these books are made to be read twice Thanks for a great review!

Thank you, I’m obviously in good company

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 13:25 I am originally from England though I have not lived there for a long time. I have a slight preference for identifying as British, I guess. (If only England had a better football team ...)

I also prefer to be referred to as British. Currently I feel more affinity towards the Scots than the English.

Helen_Combe wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 05:35 The driving force of the story is the hunt for a document (that may or may not exist) which leased what was then British America to the American Continental Congress. The 250 year lease is now due to expire and could potentially return large swathes of North America to the British Crown. Personally, as I drink my tea and wave a Union flag, I can’t see what all the fuss is about.

In some ways the race to find an ancient document reminds me of The Da Vinci Code...

Oh dear

...except that I found American Lease more enjoyable and I actually liked the main characters.

Phew! That's a relief!

The book is well written, but it needs to be given to an editor. I found a large number of typos and the book would be much improved by their removal.

It sounds really good, pity about the typos, though. Thanks for an entertaining review.

Libs_Books wrote: ↑24 Apr 2018, 11:56

Helen_Combe wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 05:35 The driving force of the story is the hunt for a document (that may or may not exist) which leased what was then British America to the American Continental Congress. The 250 year lease is now due to expire and could potentially return large swathes of North America to the British Crown. Personally, as I drink my tea and wave a Union flag, I can’t see what all the fuss is about.

In some ways the race to find an ancient document reminds me of The Da Vinci Code...

Oh dear

...except that I found American Lease more enjoyable and I actually liked the main characters.

Phew! That's a relief!

The book is well written, but it needs to be given to an editor. I found a large number of typos and the book would be much improved by their removal.

It sounds really good, pity about the typos, though. Thanks for an entertaining review.

Thank you very much (waves Union flag).

So... the crime drama ties into this potential alternate history somehow? Otherwise, great review. I can understand being annoyed at "England" being used to mean "Britain" and "the British Empire", although... that often was the term used, either in the 1760s or, well, more recently, in some cases. So it may just be a matter of being historically accurate or accurate to particular characters. "Britain" also gets used, of course.

Irene C wrote: ↑24 Apr 2018, 18:17 So... the crime drama ties into this potential alternate history somehow? Otherwise, great review. I can understand being annoyed at "England" being used to mean "Britain" and "the British Empire", although... that often was the term used, either in the 1760s or, well, more recently, in some cases. So it may just be a matter of being historically accurate or accurate to particular characters. "Britain" also gets used, of course.

Thank you for that interesting historical fact. I learn every day.