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J. THOMAS WITCHER

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PAST SINS : A KALANU MOUNTAIN MYSTERY Kindle Edition

by J. THOMAS WITCHER (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 32 ratings

Book 2 of 2: A KALANU MOUNTAIN MYSTERY

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Retired detective Tobias “Swede” Atkins is in for a rollercoaster ride. Battling post-coma challenges, a perplexing ex-wife, and accusations of arson, his world spirals into a tangled web of suspicions and doubts. As he navigates a town on the edge of chaos, a woman’s desire to turn a restaurant into a battleground unravels a historic murder and concealed secrets fanned by the mountain’s fiery whispers. Swede discovers the past haunts the present and truth is as elusive as mountain winds.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CLKXLGGM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ (November 6, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 6, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 758 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 356 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #767,456 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4,186 in Psychological Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #7,429 in Psychological Fiction (Books)
- #7,666 in Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 32 ratings

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J. THOMAS WITCHER

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J. Thomas "Tommy" Witcher has been writing since the age of 10 when he discovered the magic of words both in prose and poetry. Gathering knowledge and ideas from his varied life as an Air Force brat, U.S. Marine (Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam) and police officer, he has further broadened his horizons in the past few years as an actor in several productions with the Henry Players in McDonough, Georgia.

Educated and reared in England and Georgia, with Marine service in Vietnam, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, he has a truly cosmopolitan view of life.

Tommy is happily married and lives in Cleveland, Georgia.

contact Tommy at jthomaswitcher@gmail.com

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4.6 out of 5

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Christopher S

A nice blend of suspense and small-town secrets.

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024

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It dives into the world of retired detective Tobias "Swede" Atkins. When he wakes up from a coma, facing physical challenges, he finds himself back in his small mountain town, Kalanu Mountain. Shortly after, his tranquility is shattered by a series of arson attacks and a local diner erupting in violence.
The story unfolds as Swede, with his damaged memory and blunt personality, investigates these events. The investigation takes him down a path that unearths a long-forgotten secret – a past murder with lingering effects. The setting of Kalanu Mountain plays a role in the story, with its rugged beauty as a backdrop.
The book offers a nice blend of mystery and character exploration. The central mystery keeps you constantly guessing what will come next, while Swede's journey of recovery adds another layer to the narrative. However, the pacing of the book is a bit slow at times, and the introduction of numerous characters can be confusing for some readers. The plot unfolds with many twists and turns, which add to the book's suspense. Swede's struggles and determination make him a very relatable and interesting character. The Kalanu Mountains are also brought to life with descriptive language.
Overall, this book is a good choice for readers who enjoy mysteries with a touch of character drama. However, be prepared for a large cast and a plot that unfolds gradually.

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Sandra Kindle Addicted

Unraveling the Past

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024

In this book, Thomas Witcher invites readers on a gripping journey into the heart of a small mountain town, where retired detective Tobias "Swede" Atkins finds himself confronting not only the challenges of recovery but also the haunting specters of his past.
Witcher's masterful storytelling is evident in his ability to weave together multiple layers of mystery and intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The atmospheric setting of Kalanu Mountain serves as more than just a backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right, its rugged terrain and hidden depths mirroring the complexities of Swede's journey.
It is a riveting mystery that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and suspenseful plot twists, J. Thomas Witcher delivers a compelling tale of betrayal, redemption, and the enduring quest for justice. Prepare to be enthralled until the very last page.

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023

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This book was a page turner from beginning to end. There are so many turns and twists that I was guessing right up to the last page. Excellent book!!!!

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Vampire Hunter

A good solid choice for mystery fans!

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024

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“Past Sins: A Kalanu Mountain Mystery,” by J. Thomas Witcher, begins with a prologue in which a dead woman emerges from the woods. The story picks up years later, when an 18-year-old girl takes goes camping in the woods with a guy she barely knows. The pair end up fleeing and escaping a forest fire, one of many deliberate fires set in the area. We meet pilot Micki Trueblood, the helicopter pilot who saves the girl.
Tobias Atkins is the MC, although it takes a while for the book to make this clear. He is a former detective; a brutal assault left him in a coma for a year. Tobias has four ex-wives and several enemies in town who have decided he is the best person to name as the possible arsonist. Tobias was good friends with Micki’s late father and feels guilty for the un-paternal feelings he has for her.
With reluctance, Tobias takes steps to clear his name, and uncovers a corrupt scheme in the process. I like the author’s writing style, which is a bit plodding and old-fashioned; it is not a fast-paced story. The editing is not perfect; I deduct ½ star for a handful of errors that threw me out of the story: wrong name or word used, repeated description, etc.
With a mystery that keeps the reader guessing, and a likeable MC, this is a good solid choice for mystery fans!

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024

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It was my first time reading from this author, but I’m glad I did. When I first started it the first chapter was confusing but I continued to read the story which was like a maze but kept you on toes to know what was about to happen.
It was well plotted and I went on a fun packed journey while reading this mystery book.
My take out of this
- And Tim never looked back
(It was kind of funny, especially with Elizabeth’s comedic tone)
- she made a mental note that if she lived through the fire, which she probably would, she was going to make all her future boyfriend’s take an intelligence test.
- “You think I could do better?” Tobias asked. “Hirsch hesitated. "He's adequate." “But you’re saying he’s not in your league.”
I loved Tobias

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ANDREW CORRAL

Good mystery book with a strong ending

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I have to admit, I had a hard time paying attention throughout the first quarter of it. I had a hard time keeping track of the characters and it was a bit too slow (maybe it was just me, as I work nightshift and am frequently fatigued).

After that, it picked up and I was able to follow former detective Tobias Atkins and the investigation he ends up being involved in. The author did a great job with portraying Atkins as a calm and collected investigator that was a man of few words.

I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book. The plot contained a few twists and turns and it kept me engaged as a reader.

The author did a great job with providing descriptive scenes and characters, with most of the characters being pretty seedy from a small town back east.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good "whodunnit".

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2023

Great story

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023

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I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. IT WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN. I WISH THE AUTHOR WOULD CONTINUE THE SERIES

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Annb

Great small town mystery thriller.

Reviewed in Canada on May 1, 2024

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Great small town mystery thriller. This is the second book in the Kalanu Mountain Mystery series. The author takes much time and effort to set the stage and introduce all the townsfolk, so it works well as a standalone. Tobias Atkins nicknamed ‘Swede’, (the author likes to assign nicknames) is still recovering from a yearlong coma, and memory issues when he gets drawn into a string of the arson attacks in the small town of Kalanu Mountain, a place he grew up in. I liked the main character and how he already knew the quirky characters in town and their personal history and idiosyncrasies. He knows how and where to get information and who’s lying. As Swede delves deeper into the murder/arson case, he uncovers another decades old murder and well-kept town secret, some people would rather stay hidden. Enjoyable, well written and executed story, if a little slow at times. Recommended.

Leonie

Cleverly plotted crime which I greatly enjoyed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2023

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This is an original, engaging and well written book.

I confess that I wasn’t immediately drawn in and was a bit confused by the number and inter-relationships of the characters introduced in the first few pages — but once I was into the ‘Present’ narrative I was hooked.

The plot is intricate but carefully thought out and crafted on the page. The twists and reveals are gradually, cleverly and subtly sown, and the reader is kept guessing until the end. The resolution is satisfying.

The characters are interesting, convincing and relatable, and the MC in particular is layered and empathetic despite his flaws.

There is a good sense of place: I don’t know this part of Georgia, US, at all, but felt that the descriptions, though occasionally straying into perhaps superfluous detail, were lively and colourful.

The dialogue is crisp and dry; there is a Parthian shot at the end of most chapters and plenty of excellent bons mots. The author clearly has a keen ear for language and word play.

Thoroughly recommend to any readers interested in well written crime fiction with a difference!

J-Anne B.

Small Town Mystery

Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2024

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I gave this novel 5 stars despite my confusion in the beginning few chapters when so many characters were being introduced. Once the main character, “Swede”, a retired and mad (some townsfolk would claim) detective got into the scene, I was drawn into the drama and then appreciated the introductory backstory of the other characters. It was an easy read and I always looked forward to picking it up to carry on with the drama. No matter what the detective did, he ended up in the middle of everything and calmly worked to untangle himself from pointing accusations and old grudges. He had no concern for what anyone from this small Georgian town thought of him and went about his business to get to the bottom of two murders, one recent, the other which happened several decades earlier. If you like small town mysteries, you’ll like this one for sure. There is even a hint of romance in the wind.

Brendan Maguire

Enjoyable Mystery Thriller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed Past Sins and didn’t realise I was reading the second book in an established series. Not that it mattered, the novel easily works as a stand alone story and you get to know the main characters very quickly.

The characters themselves are well developed. Vietnam veteran and former police detective Tobias represents a great protagonist. He doesn’t care what people think of him and is quite direct in his approach. This I assume is because the character was in a coma and had brain damage. Either way, this makes the character much more enjoyable and brings some humour to many of his interactions.

We follow his story as he becomes involved in an attempted murder in a diner. There are several layers of mysteries presented – from a series of arson attacks, the attempted murder, the motivations of several characters in purchasing land and primarily the mystery of a historical murder, which needs to be reinvestigated.

If you like well written mystery dramas with a good central character, then this book is for you.

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PAST SINS : A KALANU MOUNTAIN MYSTERY Kindle Edition

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J. THOMAS WITCHER

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