Call Me Hunter by Jim Shockey

Atria Books (imprint of Simon and Schuster) sent me a copy of this book. Another in the long line of products from the highly productive Emily Bestler Books.

A young reporter from Pinehurst, NC (think US Open Golf) finds a raw manuscript on her doorstep. She’s a bit hesitant to read it, but once she unwraps the package, she embarks on an investigation that is bound to change her life.

The subject of the book is a little boy with a unique ability. He’s able to spot ‘beauty’ be it art, published word (original copies only), and other things that someone might find to be ‘beautiful.’ The manuscript traces the growth of this boy through school, university, and beyond. He is absorbed into a shady and secret society whose goal is to find, obtain, preserve, and eventually sell these objects. It’s the ‘obtain’ aspect that tests the boy’s (and the reader’s) sensibilities and stomach for violence.

Our intrepid reporter takes on the task, with her goofy roommate, to trace the story line from NC through the US and Canada to follow this boy's attempt to separate himself from this society of art-obsessed killers and reach the meat of the surprise ending.

Now I’m an unapologetic supporter of anything published by Emily Bestler Books. But not this time. It took me the better part of a year, picking it up and setting it down, and still never finished. I could never get into what was, to me, one far-fetched story. I looked up other reviews on GoodReads.com. "International Bestseller!"  the website says in huge bold letters. Bottom line was that other readers either loved it or where like me, kind of confused and unimpressed.

But as with art, it’s all in the eye of the beholder, right? Don’t take my word for it. You might find it a fascinating ride. Me? Not my cup of tea. 

But I still love Emily Bestler Books.

East Coast Don.