Todd Forrest
Todd Forrest is a Ragdale Foundation Writing Fellow and a 7th generation Cape Codder. He is also a former commercial fisherman along with a fine art oil painter and photographer.
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Here's some recent five star reviews by Amazon Reviewers
Into The Realm
Irene Roth
A Beautifully Xrafted Murder Mystery
October 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful murder mystery that is beautifully written and intoxicatingly presented. It is also a well-researched and deep work about families, resentment, and murder. The story flows from page to page in a thrilling way. I have never read a book that quite captured the true essence of the genre of a murder mystery like this one.
This story is set in one of the most beautiful places imaginable—around Cape Cod’s Outer Reach. The story traces Caleb’s trip along its many beaches and breakwaters, recalling the people, places, and most importantly, the natural splendor that makes Cape Cod and its surrounding seascape so special.
Caleb is well aware of the dangers of this water, despite its unbelievable beauty. He also recalls his father’s words that he must remain careful and vigilant, despite his knowledge of this water and being a master sailor.
He has a story to tell though, a tale of a justified murder. The one-day journey takes him past his childhood memories, both good and bad. Caleb is the last member of a once-proud maritime family. He is left with the responsibility of maintaining a piece of land that he neither needs nor can afford out of a respect for tradition while he takes care of his heroic albeit flawed grandfather.
In the process, Caleb comes across a disingenuous builder who wants his land. He is someone who loves to play cruel political games in order to convince Caleb to give up the land. Will he succumb to the evil schemes of these bulder? Or will Caleb prevail?
I learned so much about Cape Code while reading this story that I knew nothing about. It is a story that will inspire as well as educate. I felt transported into this wonderful place. The story so vibrantly resonated with me that I found myself right in the middle of Caleb’s difficulties and his angst. Reading this story was a journey like no other.
View this book’s reviews on Amazon
Jewel
An Entertaining and Exciting Story.
October 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
Into the Realm is my first book by Todd Forrest. His writing style is very descriptive, captivating and makes us feel like we're part of the journey. He takes us to Cape Cod in this story, explains the life of a fisherman Caleb Forrest and more. He's the last surviving member of the family, so he tries to retain a plot of land that's been in the family for generations, fights to guard it from an unscrupulous builder who's ready to move heaven and earth to have it, tries to come to terms with a murder, and justifies why he thinks it isn't a murder... His journey is entertaining, exciting, eye-opening and at times, leaves us teary-eyed. This story is no different from everyday lives in a community - the usual jealousy, in-fighting, plotting, bonding and more, with the additional drama of murder. Come and let Todd Forrest take you on a wild ride in this mystery thriller.
View this book’s reviews on Amazon
PiarasVINE VOICE
A Masterfully Written Murder, Mystery, and Suspense.
October 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Todd Forrest will entertain and enthrall you with this exceptionally well-written and researched Cape Cod story about families, resentment, and murder. It’s a captivating book that had me engaged from the opening chapter. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling.
Summarizing the synopsis we find a twenty-two-year-old modern-day fisherman named Caleb Forrest who has a story to tell—what he believes to be a story of justified murder… He sets out on his prized Catboat, "Sea Gypsy," suffering from a sort of memory loss from his previous voyage at sea. The one-day journey will take him past his childhood haunts and the memories, both good and bad, that go with them… As the last member of a once-proud maritime family, Caleb is left with the responsibility of maintaining a piece of land that he neither needs nor can afford but must do so out of respect for tradition… Caleb is up against a dishonest builder turned town politician who, constrained by a shrinking coastline, will stop at nothing to acquire the land, even if that means using his first-born son as a chess piece to do it. He is up against his heroic, albeit flawed grandfather as well… The story is set in the unfathomable beauty of a moorland that has not yet been spoiled and the ultimate price that must be paid to preserve it… The young fisherman's ordeal culminates on the desolate, wind-tossed dunes of Monomoy Island, where he must finally face his crime or face punishment far more terrifying than any hangman's gallows… But is he going to prevail?
This for me was a phenomenal read. The vivid descriptions of the settings, situations, and people were stunning. The author’s use of genuine dialogue further added to the overall atmosphere of authenticity. In addition, the contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors, and Forrest pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a genuine and realistic contemporary psychological thriller.
Very highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
