Burnt Offerings

Rating:
Summary: Riveting read based on experience!
Review: I had read an earlier draft of Chuck's novel four or five years ago. It was astonishing then. Rereading it in its published form, all I can say is that the power is more focused, the characters even more fully drawn, the plot more totally gripping than before, and in a way few other writers have managed.

It was exciting for me to see the work of a former high school student of mine finally published. I know how hard it is to get anything published. But if there is any justice in the world, Chuck's novel will become a best seller.

The novel is based, to a great extent, on Chuck's experience as a Detroit cop. He lived much if not most of the life he details in his book. The main character is William (Bill) Westonfield, who barely survives an early encounter which finds him pierced through with a rod. What doesn't kill him obviously makes him stronger, and he becomes an outstanding police officer and detective, one who also can speak Spanish (Chuck majored in Spanish in school) and understands Cuban voodoo, including "polo mayombe." This ultimately pits him against one of the most evil characters in modern fiction, Gabriel, whose thirst for power is exceeded only by his bloodlust.

But it is Chuck's delineation of character, especially through authentic dialog (reminiscent of Leonard's), that sets his novel apart from so many in the "horror detective story" genre. Westonfield, of course, and his buddy Jack Rourke; Father Mark; gang memebrs Katy and Danny; and Magaly Rodriguez, the writer from Harper's with whom Westonfield strikes up a close relationship--all are memorably depicted. And the violence, which at times is stomach-churning, is graphically conveyed, so that when Katy and Danny are brutalized (an understatement) by Gabriel, the reader is stunned.

Do not expect the suspense to let up. Even the human relationships generate a "what's going to happen next" urgency. And some beautiful people do not survive the evil launched by Gabriel. Nevertheless, the journey feels rewarding as the reader, no matter how "hokey" the voodoo "intuition" might appear in retrospect, is drawn towards the shocking conclusion.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Burnt Offerings." Read it. Then tell your friends. Chuck Newsome's riveting novel deserves the broadest possible exposure. You will not soon forget it.



Rating:
Summary: A compelling read
Review: As a native Detroiter, the streets and locations took me back to my younger days. The drama within the police force, and the machinations involved in studying the crimes was fascinating to me. Each chapter brought more suspense than the previous. The dramatic conclusion of this book will compel me to read this author's next work.


Rating:
Summary: Of Wolves and Dinosaurs
Review: As both a published author and a 25 year veteran of the Detroit PD, I read Mr. Newsome's book with great interest. Although we never worked at the same precinct at the same time, the author and I met many years ago, because of the fact that we both wrote a column for the Detroit PD's union newspaper 'TUEBOR'. I recently talked with Charlie at a police dinner, and he admitted that much of the content of this novel is based on his actual career experiences. The main character, Sgt Westonfield, is also largely fashioned after himself.
The evil acts which Newsome describes in the text of this book are almost unfathomable, even in my street experiences, which span a quarter of a century on street patrol, in Detroit.
Some of the horrible deeds I read about in this book left me distinctly disturbed. They are unforgettable, although I'd prefer to forget some of them. The language spoken by the characters is typically laced with cop profanity and street humor.
As such, this book is not for bluenoses nor those with weak stomachs. This is a very commendable first book, and the author's prose flows well, with some rather complicated plot twists smoothly woven into a compelling presentation.
I found this book difficult to put down and even apart from the gruesome plot, the author clearly defines the plight of Detroit street cops, eloquently, succinctly, and with an economy of words.
Those officers who couldn't stand the heat, sooner or later sought refuge in assignments that took them off street duty.
Those who stayed with street enforcement, were Wolves, in Newsome's language, and the old-school type cops were dinosaurs.
The circumstances that mold long-term street cops into Wolves-namely adversity from both the societal Criminal Justice System as well as the criminal element, are little-understood by the average citizen. The emotional as well as the physical violence of the job, require this type of translation, into terms that the non-police reader can grasp.
What I particularly related to in this book, was the protagonist Sergeant's sense of sorrow and loss, when a female gang member that he cared for, is viciously murdered. I suspect that writing about this was based on an actual experience of the author and was related partly for theraputic reasons. It is hard to talk about and explain an experience like that, to people. He has succeeded in conveying what was special about this girl, in a way that makes the reader fully understand the Sgt's grief over her demise. Over 20 years ago, I experienced a similar loss and have been unable to explain to anyone what a unique and fine person departed this life before reaching the age of 20. Like the Latin Counts gangbanger in Newsome's story, my lost and eternally-lamented friend counted for nothing in this society. Only her friends and immediate family ever knew or cared for her loss. She was buried in a pauper's cemetery in Sumpter Tshp, MI. The description of meeting the deceased girl's family at the funeral brought a flood of painfully familiar memories rushing back. It also made me realize that Sgt Newsome and I have even more in common than I had previously suspected. Both of us experienced wounds to the heart-wounds that will never fully heal. Thinking that the dead girl's friendship with you may have contributed to her demise, makes the loss even more ghastly.
BTW, the daughter of my lost friend later grew-up to be a member of the Latin Counts, which is NOT a fictional gang.
Small world.
Charlie N. has done all Detroit street cops a service and I can wholeheartedly endorse this novel. It will transport you into the netherworld of terror and violence that was his life about 15 years ago.
At his book signing, the author wrote a dedication in my book "To Mark-one of the dinosaurs, Best Wishes C.N."

From a fellow street cop, there can be no higher accolade.


Rating:
Summary: MY OFFERING
Review: I REALLY ENJOY THIS MR. NEWSOME MADE ME FEEL AS IF I WAS THERE,WITH THEM IN THE STORY. I GREW UP IN THIS AREA SOMES THINGS SEAM TO BE REAL. HOPE THERE IS ANOTHER BOOK COMING.

Rating:
Summary: Ready for the Big Screen
Review: Mr. Newsome's first published novel had me assigning actors to the key players in this nail biter... I was drawn into this story and the imagery was as clear as on the big screen. This story has the making of a "block buster". I can't wait for the screen version and, better yet, can't wait for the next novel from Charles Newsome. Keep them coming!

Rating:
Summary: This Crime Thriller is Written by Former Homicide Detective
Review: The events portrayed in BURNT OFFERINGS are based on the the real life experiences of writer Charles W. Newsome, a former Detroit homicide detective. With vivid realism, the reader can step into the world of a big city cop and live the experience through his eyes. The book is indisputably a thriller, yet on another level it is a heartwarming testimony to the bond of trust and friendship that develops between a cop and his partner as each lays his life on the line for the other.

Sgt. Bill Westonfield, veteran homicide detective, had pretty much seen it all in his career with the Detroit Police Department. However, not even the seasoned Westonfield could have prepared himself for the evil lurking in the streets of his precinct that he found embodied in the malignant Cuban cult called palo mayombe.

In the late 1970's and early 80's, some of Cuba's most vicious criminals were unleashed upon the United States. Castro had emptied his jails, his labor camps, and his insane asylums. There was no place to put them, no plan to deal with them, no way to provide for them. But the United States took them.

Among these were palo mayombe--the "black branch," a cult who practice Voodoo and use human sacrifice in their evil workings. Their murderous leader, Gabriel, a tata nkisi--sorcerer of black magic--has an unquenchable thirst for blood. Making his way to Detroit, Gabriel becomes Westonfield's to reckon with, his nemesis.

Enter Magaly Rodriguez, an attractive New Yorker and feature writer from Harper's Magazine, who finds herself in Detroit on assignment to write a story about big city cops. In her unjaded capacity as a journalist, her visceral reaction to the unspeakable scenes she witnesses heightens the effect for the reader. Magaly also adds feminine counterpoint to the uncouth antics of lovable Jack Rourke, Bill Westonfield's partner and for-life buddy. Magaly's gift of having "the sight" along with her developing affection for Bill provides an avenue whereby the inner workings of Bill's own psyche can be explored as the dividing line between personal and professional blurs and he comes to grips with the abject terror that he faces and fear for his own family.

As each successive puzzle piece concerning the horrific crimes of this cult falls into place, the reader gradually realizes that the beast, Gabriel, will stop at nothing to achieve his ends. In a chilling crescendo, the plot unfolds until Westonfield realizes with stark horror that, because of Gabriel's personal vendetta against him, his own child is in mortal danger. Putting his career on the line and with no time to spare, Westonfield comes face to face with the mastermind of evil, the beast himself.

This reviewer was given an advance preview copy of this book for comments, and it has been my pleasure to read it and recommend it. It is a compelling noir police thriller, a stellar first effort by Mr. Newsome. Its unique realism and semi-autobiographical nature set it apart from other crime thrillers. I look forward to seeing this book on the shelves, and I anticipate future works by this author.



Rating:
Summary: Burnt Offerings..a Hot Read!
Review: The events portrayed in Burnt Offerings by Charles W. Newsome, transported me right smack into the streets of Southwest Detroit. Raised in the suburban Detroit area, I found the book fascinating. From the recognizable street names, to the familiar churches and businesses.

I was on the edge of my seat (and occasionally looking over my shoulder) reading the author's descriptive scenes of the Halloween Eve fires, and the chaos that our police men and women deal with daily.

Great Read!


Rating:
Summary: A great read for the cop on the beat, or their supporters.
Review: This book has it all, suspense, romance and a plot that flows with each passing chapter. For the law enforcement officer or just someone with an interest. This book is a telling tale, told with feeling and emotion of what life is like on the Detroit PD. Those that know Detroit and know the places Newsome writes of, brings you right into the action. You can see and feel each and every location as if you are there. Highly recommended reading.