From Away Hardcover - 2010 - 1st Edition

Media reviews

Praise for From Away"Anyone who doesn't laugh out loud at David Carkeet's writing needs to havetheir pulse checked. He's a very clever fellow, and this is a deftly funnybook." - Carl Hiaasen

"Imagine Preston Sturges and Ruth Rendell collaborating and you've goFrom Away. Beautifully plotted, emotionally resonant and, most ofall, hilarious." - Jonathan Kellerman

"From Away is humanely funny, mysterious, and most unpredictable.It's filled with unexpected delights, most of which come courtesy of hiswise-cracking, edge-seeking protagonist Denny Braintree. I'm not sure howCarkeet does it, but I'm glad he does. Fresh and unafraid. Enjoymentguaranteed." - T. Jefferson Parker

"If you're like me and love doppelgangers, Vermonters, Vermonter-Haters,overeaters, horn players, contra dancers, cybersnoopers, family secrets,model train enthusiasts, and insanely inventive, entertaining, hilarious,and, in the end, moving mysteries involving all of the above, then you willalso love From Away. What an incredible achievement by an incrediblewriter." - Brock Clarke, author of An Arsonist's Guide to Writers'Homes in New England

"Great fun, a joy to read from firstpage to last. David Carkeet is a very funny writer, and in Denny Braintreehe has created a marvelously original comic protagonist of broad dimensions(in more ways than one), a hero in spite of himself and his madcap antics.Enthusiastically recommended to any reader who craves an inventive mystery,unconventional characters, numerous surprises, and laughs on nearly everypage." - Bill Pronzini

"A story that is part murder mystery, part farce, and completely hilarious.This book will remind you why you started reading in the first place-to becarried away to a more vivid and compelling world." - John DuFresne"A witty, refreshing read, Carkeet's over-the-top hilariously seriousprotagonist is why the term avant-garde was created. Be attuned to everydetail, Carkeet ties loose threads into a beautiful gift bow. Furtherdetails would be spoilers, as each seemingly unimportant thing Dennyobserves bears fruit in this artfully crafted mystery that borders onliterary fiction."- L. Dean Murphy, Bookreporter.com

"From Away is a farce, and like all successful farces, it isextremely clever and rewarding to the discriminating reader." - TheBarre-Montpelier Times Argus"From Away is a lumpy but well-spiced gumbo of local color, seriousdrama and silliness. Like the Coen brothers, Carkeet is less interested inplots than in people and the stupid things they do: His protagonist deservesto stand beside the Dude in The Big Lebowski as a fellow with a knackfor changing the tone of every situation he lands in. While From Awayisn't flawless, it's an original, unlike anything else in its genre... There'snothing stern about From Away. Like David Lodge, a satirist heresembles, Carkeet clearly likes his characters (or most of them) too muchto subject them to the sort of dark, cynical scrutiny of human nature withwhich many mysteries conclude. While most of the great literary detectivesare loners by nature, Denny is an oddball who, against all odds, finds acommunity. And that's a Vermont theme par excellence." - BurlingtonVermont Alt Weekly

"In all, this is a comical peek into the lives of small-town citizens, theirrelationships and desires, and a better-late-than-never coming of age...fullof gentle humor and rural charm" -- Foreword"From Away is an original and riveting tale, and a choice pick forfiction collections." -- Midwest Book Review

"From Away contains quite a bit of physical comedy. The kind morecommon in films than books. Carkeet manages to translate it nicely intoprint, resulting in some hilarious scenes. He's created a large supportingcast of characters as goofy as Denny and a plot that is rock solid. He'sgot great comedic timing. What's best, though, is how much of From Away isunexpected. It you read a lot of mysteries, you already understand what arare thing that is. David Carkeet is an author with a big, bold voicetelling a story with surprising subtlety. His clues are to be found in thesmall details - not in conspicuously placed plot points. From Awayisa mystery that stands out from the crowd, that will make you laugh andrepeatedly catch you by surprise. It may take a little while to warm up toDenny, but once you do there's no going back." - BookSexy Blog"The return of the prodigal writer" -- St. LouisGlobe-Democrat

>"Acclaimed author David Carkeet is back with amasterpiece of comic mystery writing...From Away delivers a wild rideof a story and an unforgettable hero." -- OC Metro