Summer’s Blood: The Neon Diaries Book 1

Craig Keller bore the emotional burden of his brother DJ’s tragic death for nearly thirty years. The pair had been enjoying a raucous time on their father’s yacht when DJ fell overboard and was gruesomely mangled by the boat’s propeller. Craig was younger and DJ was the chosen one in his parent’s eyes. In the wake of DJ’s passing, Craig bore the slings and arrows of his father’s tyrannical behavior and dove headfirst into a hedonistic lifestyle. His relationship with his second wife Jane helped steady his wayward life yet Craig never relinquished survivor’s guilt.

In the midst of a cathartic swimming ritual, Craig gets a phone call alerting him to his father’s death. Craig’s troubled relationship with his father leaves him feeling off-kilter in his reaction to the news. His fragile state is compounded when his mother asks him to deliver the eulogy at his father’s memorial service. The emotional wringer that Craig is enduring only worsens when he glimpses an improbable sight at his father’s memorial: His brother DJ. He races to find him, but the pursuit is futile.

Work offers a respite from the pain of the past as Craig and Jane travel to Las Vegas for their company in order to give a sales pitch to a prospective client. As Craig begins to give his presentation, the client bears an uncanny resemblance to DJ and Craig loses his train of thought. Craig confronts the man in his office and despite initial demurrals, the client reveals himself to be DJ Keller.

The feeling of elation upon reuniting with DJ soon turns to heightened concern as DJ discloses the background to his feigned death. The danger that resulted in DJ’s circumstances still exists and his status must not be known to anyone else. However, Craig’s inability to keep secrets to his spouse Jane trigger consequences that threaten not only DJ but the Keller family.

Summer’s Blood is an engaging dramatic narrative about the bonds between family and the lengths one will go to keep them safe. The grief that Craig Keller carries is palpable and his torment is poignant, yet his love for his brother and his wife are undisputed. Secrecy is anathema to Craig and yet the grave harm of long-held secrets surround him.

Whereas Craig has assumed the life of a family man, he is counterbalanced by his playboy brother DJ. The dichotomy between the siblings forms a large part of the dynamic that moves the story along. Author Adele Royce (Camera Ready) delivers a solid novel with a winning formula of mystery, humor and heart.