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Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers

By: Robert Owings

Troubled by Elephants

Pages: 326 Ratings: 5.0
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Colton undertakes a cross-country road trip to his hometown in the vague pursuit to rekindle purpose in life. A cumbersome encounter with his sister’s new neighbor, Kit, leads to entanglement with threats to Kit’s life. An international cartel believes Kit holds documents her ex-husband placed with her.


Meanwhile, the police are investigating the disappearance of her ex-husband, suspecting Kit knows more than she will reveal. Avoiding his own issues, Colton attempts to help her, only to become mired in a world that further challenges his sense of self, all juxtaposed against hometown memories and Southern culture, the paradox he both escaped and longs for.

Robert Owings writes about paradox, choosing fiction to explore the matter with its many expressions. While living outside his native South most of his adult life, yet raised in it, Robert is drawn to explore a disappearing world swept up by numerous cultural changes juxtaposed against nostalgic icons. His first novel, Call of the Forbidden Way, has been made into a screenplay based on his Forbidden Way trilogy. He lives in Sonoma County, California.
Customer Reviews
5.0
2 reviews
2 reviews
  • OnlineBookClub.org

    Robert Owings' "Troubled by Elephants" is an interesting story that blends mystery, self-reflection, and the complexity of human relationships. The story starts with Colton, who finds himself at a family funeral and discovers more mysteries than he could have ever expected, particularly with the mysterious death of his cousin Julian. The book takes us to the South, combining an engaging mystery with the emotional complexities of a family. The story explores in great detail issues of family dynamics, the need for healing after a loss, and the search for the truth. The characters in the book are what really set it apart; they are so real and genuine that you almost have the impression that you know them personally. Aside from that, the dialogues in the book are what really draw us in and make it enjoyable to read, since they may make us laugh at one point and consider thoughtfully at another. This novel does a fantastic job of placing us in the Southern setting and giving the impression that we are there with the characters. The mystery surrounding Julian's death is a subject of concern and investigation throughout the story, and it also creates a level of suspense that holds our attention until the very end. This book is unique because it skillfully combines humour with serious subjects. The author finds the ideal balance, whether handling sorrow, discovering the truth, or just sorting out the day-to-day issues of a family. To give the story more depth overall, it would be good to learn more about the secondary characters' stories. Furthermore, the writing is interesting, clear, and error-free in spelling and grammar—an achievement that is unusual in many books nowadays. In conclusion, I rate "Troubled by Elephants" 5 out of 5 stars. It is a great book with interesting characters, a realistic setting, and an engaging story. The reader will be engaged with it from beginning to end. It is a novel about self-discovery and appreciating the complexities of family, not simply a mystery book. Anyone who appreciates books that are thought-provoking and enjoyable while promoting reflection on family and personal relationships should read this book.

  • Online Book Club

    In "Troubled by Elephants" the story has a surprisingly good ending that brings all the different parts together into a deep and touching whole. Throughout the book, the author does a great job of building suspense and mystery. This leads to a surprise ending that makes sense in the context of the story. Not only does the ending answer all the questions that the long, difficult story brought up, but it also makes a strong point about forgiveness, healing, and how the past affects the present. This finish fits the book's theme of human power and the ability to change. It gives the reader a sense of closure and makes them think about the characters' journeys. The ending fits well with the rest of the book and puts an end to the carefully planned plots and character growth in an acceptable way. This shows how good the author is at making complicated stories and deep emotions work together. I felt very connected with Kit throughout the book. Her character is described in great detail, showing how strong and determined she is. She is going through a lot specially at the end of the story. She is dealing with big changes in her own life and trying to figure out what happened to her ex-husband. Even though things are hard, Kit shows that she is strong and can handle them. She is trying very hard to learn everything and decide what is best for her. In the end, she is very brave as she faces all of these problems and looks forward to starting over. There is a significant scene for Kit at the bar, when Rajesh Chaturvedi expresses his gratitude towards her, stating: "You don’t know but I am deeply in your debt, Ms. Spencer—both you and your ex-husband. You both played critical roles in assisting with the disposal of a problem; a man I hear who was too fond of serpents. If you ever visit Malta, please look me up. Here’s my card. You would be a most honored guest at my home.” This scene shows how Kit's actions had effects she didn't expect and how her part in resolving a major problem was recognized, giving her a sense of closure and appreciation for her hard work. Also, the use of elephants as a symbol is a brilliant idea. To bring out the characters' problems and secrets, it talks about "the elephant in the room" which means a big problem that no one wants to talk about. This makes the story more interesting by making us think about any problems we may not have talked about. In addition, it lets us see how the characters change as they face their own "elephants". Using elephants in this way adds a unique touch to the story that helps us understand it better and makes it more fun to read. Thank you for taking me on such an interesting trip by reading this book. The intelligent combination of mystery and emotional depth, especially the twist with Kit's unexpected effect, made the story even better and makes a deep impact on those who read it.

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