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Where History, Heart, and Stories Shape Us
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Where Loyalty, Faith, and Violence Share the Same Table
Books on the Way - Three Months
Virtues of the Heart and Alone in the Fight
I I need your help. Below are three books, each with two chapters available to read. One of the books I'm going to spend the most time on and finish it by the first of January. Which one should it be? Please read them and use the form to let me know.
From the book Virtues of the Heart
"She saw the toll—the ever-watchful vigilance against disease in the cattle, the brucellosis and tuberculosis that lurked in the herd, the fear of sudden price drops, the way the economy of their valley held its breath and waited for a signal that never came. It wasn’t just fear; it was fatigue, the steady subtraction of possibility from a future that looked less and less like what she’d imagined."
From the book Virtues of the Heart
"Nurse Lacs materialized in the doorway, white uniform creased with military precision. Her eyes swept over Jenny with the detached interest of someone cataloging flaws. This was not a woman who welcomed competition; this was a woman who eliminated it.
"Gearhart, Mary Jane?" Each syllable clipped, antiseptic.
"Yes?", Ma' am."
Lacs halted at an office door, her movements precise. “The Supervisor of Attendants is on assignment in Philadelphia. He was appointed yesterday.”
“His name?” Jenny Gearhart dared.
“Costello. Mr. to you. Mr. Thomas Francis Costello. The syllables rung through her like a warning bell."
"She grabbed his sleeve.
“Well, well, well, ain’t you a sight to see,” she said. “I got a little nook where you can get out of them clothes and relax a while.”
Thomas Francis swallowed the impulse that rose in him. A bachelor working at an insane asylum had little contact with women. She was attractive. He could be tempted. “I can’t, deary,” he replied. “God bless you, but my time is not my own this evenin’. It’s strictly business, ahead.”
"The Board thinks that it's too much to put on the shoulders of one person.("Especially her, she's dumber than a sack of bricks.)"So, we've created a new position, Supervisor of Attendants, and Thomas, we'd like to offer the position to you, if that is something you would like."
Before Costello could answer, Dr. Bennett, the staff psychiatrist, spoke. "We've all watched how well you work with our patients, Thomas. They like you, even those who have lost their ability to speak or reason. They light up when you approach them."
"You need my evaluation," Thomas Francis countered. "Mr. Rourke needs my evaluation. If something happens to me, it could ruin Mr. Rourke's chances of leaving Philadelphia and finding solitude at the Asylum. And I don't think Mr. Rourke would be too happy if you were the cause of that, would he now?"
Dialogue sharp as a seaside wind, characters built of bone and loyalty, and tales that keep the lamp burning long past midnight.
I I need your help. Below are three books, each with two chapters available to read. One of the books I'm going to spend the most time on and finish it by the first of January. Which one should it be? Please read them and use the form to let me know.
Butcher Hicks Hit Man
Settimo Consigliere
Heading 4
Like in all of the On the Hill Books
Hard talk and harder men, loyalties sworn in whispers, and stories that take you by the throat and don’t let go.
“Rausher stepped away from the car and looked around. He shook his head, then looked back in at Hicks. “All right, I’ll tell you what. You keep an eye on them and try to get some definite information, such as a license plate number or something I can check. And get me the address. I know you just got out of the Marine Corps, so I’m cutting you a break. But the next time I see you, I want to see some evidence that you are trying to get a license and registration. You got that?”
“No problem, Detective Rausher. No problem, Sir."
“All right, get the hell out of here. And don’t go following them again, you’ll get yourself killed.”
"Oh, one more thing. If you pull this off right, there's a three-day pass for you and a Huey ride to the Paris of the East. Know where that is, soldier?"
"No, Sir."
"Saigon, soldier, on the Dong Nai river. We'll load you up with some Saigon Tea and a few Boom-Boom girls. Can you handle that?"
"Oh, yes, Sir."
"All right. Get the hell out of here."
"But, Sir. What happens if I don't pull it off?"
The General gave me a funny look. "Well, fuck, son. You'll be dead, Son, so don't worry about it.
Butcher Hicks on Special Assignment
Butcher Hicks Battle of Lang Vei
“Okay, Hicks, let me see your license and registration.”
“Oh, shit, Detective, you’re a hard man to find. I’ve been looking for you cause there’s some heavy shit been going on on the Hill lately.”
“What’s that have to do with your license and registration, which I don’t see you reaching for.”
“My girlfriend, Annette, lives over on Rockland Avenue, right? And so I’m been going over there a lot, and right across the street from her, there’s these guys who live there.”
“Well, a few of them look like old Italian-looking, know what I mean? But they type of old guys who could kick your ass,”
“And that’s unusual on the Hill, Hicks? Half the population here looks like that.”
“I know, but these guys are different.”
“Uh, huh, how so?
“And then there’s this other guy who looks mean as shit. He don’t live there but shows up once in a while. I seen guys like that in the Corps. You don’t fuck with them. So one time just after dark this one leaves and we’re sittin’ on the porch and I’m gettin’ a little feel. So I tell Annette I’m going out for some smokes and I follow him. Guess where he goes?
“I have no idea.”
“To Westminster Cemetery. I shut off my lights and stay far enough behind him, and he meets some other guys, and they dig up a fuckin’ body. No, shiit, detective. I swear on my mother’s grave that’s what they did.”
“So what did you do?”
“I got my ass out of there, fast.”
“So you’;re making up this story because you don’t have a license or registration. Pretty good, Hicks. Is this what you did in school when you didn’t do your homework?”
“No, Sir, I swear to fuckin’ God, Detective.”
Reviews
The on the Hill series has many five star reviews on Amazon All by Verified buyers. Here are some of them.
Verified Amazon buyer, Dawn.
Insomnia. It gives you insomnia, because you don’t want to put this book down. One of the Authors best work.
Verified Amazon Buyer, David
Mr. Costello has written a fantastic book about my hometown. The story is engaging, right from page 1. Loved the story, plot and twists. Another great installment in the On The Hill series. Can’t wait for the next one!!!!!
Verified Amazon buyer, Cheryl.
What a wonderful adventure story about 4 good friends who lived on the "Hill" in the Mainline section of Philadelphia. Where the boys were thrown into a hide-and-seek game of survival. The cops and the mafia were after them after they witness murders from cherry trees. Will they survive? "Dead Kids Don't Speak" was exciting, suspenseful and, hard to put down. A must read for all who like thrillers.
Verified Amazon buyer, Jahna
As soon as I finished the first book, I had to read his second book,"On the Hill, Insomina". This book was even better. From the start I couldn't put it down. I laughed a lot and the people in his book are so real. I can't wait for his next book due in out in November.
Verified Amazon buyer, Paul B.
It is a small neighborhood where everyone looks out for one and other - partly because of the times, the 1960's. My favorites scenes involve the youthful banter of the high school kids from the Hill. Without giving the plots away, I'll mention some of the elements: school bus rides, HS baseball, local police, local tough guys, Russians, deadly virus, black family, Irish mob, insomnia, paper route, and the FBI. The author weaves the various story lines throughout the book. Everything is interconnected and concludes in an exciting finish.
Verified Amazon buyer, Joan.
OMG! What a terrific book. On The Hill Dead Kids Don't Speak is a terrific murder mystery and a book you can't put down.
Verified Amazon buyer, Fritz
Hero, Villain? The real man is lost to history. But that doesn't prevent Costello from presenting a nuanced vision of Columbus. Yes, he is something of an antagonist in this book. But not a two dimensional one. At once arrogant and confident, he is also operating in an historical period where these qualities are required, and where no amount of research can offset ignorance.
Verified Amazon buyer, Mary
An amazing story line that brings in fiction to a non-fiction place and people!
Verified Amazon buyer, Gloria.
"Dead Kids" takes place in a real small town near Philadelphia. Its population of free-range boys takes full advantage of its many natural and municipal wonders--steep hills, fields, woods, creeks, a river, a baseball field, and a dump. They explore, swim, make trails, hide out, and build contraptions from found treasures, all the while developing skills, creativity, and kinship.
Verified Amazon buyer, David
This book is excellent !!!!
Verified Amazon buyer, Brenda.
Wow this a fast pace thriller.4 kids witness a murder and have to run for their life. From the mob and police. From there it stays uphill on who will find and kill them. This doesn't disappoint with a great shootout ending. First read for me of this author. Need more stars to give. Great job.
Verified Amazon buyer. Joan
I read this book because some of the characters from the first Book, On the Hill Dead Kids Don’t Speak. While it is not a continuation, it is an enjoyable read through the eyes of some of the characters in the previous book. The story is compelling mystery which keeps you want to continue to read so you can find out what happens. Ron Costello is a wonderful writer who leaves you waiting for the next book. Don’t miss this page turner. Insomnia is a winner!.
Verified Amazon buyer, Richard.
I didn't really enjoy the banter in the first Hill book, perhaps because I didn't like Ron's banter in HS either. In this second book Ron nailed the right balance of teenage language and the story line was intriguing. Butch has created a first class book with this second on the Hill series.
Verified Amazon Buyer, Peter Reinhart
This story takes place in the woods behind where I grew up, with a cast of characters I knew in my childhood. That may be the only statement that is historically true about this book, but it hardly matters because this story is a true page turner; a great roller coaster ride of ups, downs, and crazy twists and turns. Among the many memorable characters is one you will not be able to get out of your head, a Casa Nostra hitman known as the "Badger," who is unlike anyone you've seen before and who I hope returns in future volumes from this "On The Hill" series.
Verified Amazon buyer, Dawn
Isn't it great when you find a book that completely drags you into the dialog? Well this is the book for you.
Verified Amazon buyer, Bumper
Loved the book!,
Verified Amazon buyer, Jo.
Then there are the adventures when they arrived at a new. A fascinating book.
Verified Amazon buyer, David.
This book and the others in the series are so much fun to read. The adventures of the Hill kids are incredible ... I want to hang with those guys !! Any book in this series is enjoyable. Verified Amazon buyer,
Verified Amazon buyer, Pete
I read the book excellent story line!
Three Book Set - On the Hill
Available at Amazon
Send a Message to the Author
The Camorro — the Naples-Salerno Mob — set up their body business on the Hill. They were up and running when one detective started asking questions. No, problem, right? They'll just take him out. Well, not this detective they won't, nor do they want to take on his deputy, Buster Hicks. They wished they were back in Italy.
Alone in the Fight
In the Pipeline
Return of the Clothed Gods
Columbus's second voyage to the Americas following the first book, Darkness They Could Not See. This time, he brought 17 ships, plus soldiers, priests and the Monarchy's representatives. But was he really in charge?