Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The Breaker - series. Books 1 - 3:

 


The Breaker


ISBN: 9781656281517

Description:

How do you know the one you love won’t hurt you?
Or even try to kill you?
In many cases … you don’t.
How do we choose our path and purpose in life?
What makes us who we are?
When Seth Egan starts working as a private detective, he knows he’ll make enemies.
It goes with the territory.
As Seth works on a murder case and hunts down the killers, he becomes the target.
Some people have no conscience, shame, empathy, or remorse.
To get their own way, to get what they want, to take everything, they will do anything.
Even murder.
In the end, they will drag you down to hell with them.
Sometimes, our enemies are those closest to us.

Amazon link:


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Bad Blood

ISBN: 9798682203192

Description:

No one is paying Seth Egan for his latest case.

He keeps this one unofficial.

Pro bono publico.

Off the books.

For him, this one is personal.

A matter of bad blood.

A woman with a grudge of her own leads Seth to a place where people vanish without trace.

Money is the motive.

Greed is the motivator.

Scores that can only be settled in blood.

A dark underworld of illegal gambling, prostitution, drugs, violence and murder.


Amazon link:

 

https://t.co/e0XiS8crAr?amp=1


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Mall Maze

ISBN: 9798729917235


Description:


Friday the 13th.

Unlucky for many.

What should have been a routine adultery case ends with Seth Egan fighting for his life.

Cut off from the world.

With no way to call for help.

Trapped in a place where the walls are coming down around him.

Seth is running out of places to hide.

As chaos reigns and the city burns … the hunters close in.


Amazon link:
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Themes:
Abuse by proxy, Adultery, C-PTSD, crime, detective, domestic abuse, enabler, flying monkey, gaslighting, hardboiled, heist, infidelity, murder, narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, personality disorder, psychopath, sociopath, suspense, thriller, vigilante, violence.

Books available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of my books is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

What’s On?


What’s On?

A Guide to Movies and TV Shows


Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9798342696098

Paperback

ISBN-13: 9798341177307

Kindle

ASIN: B0DJTZ8T58

Back cover description:

What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over 1,900 titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:

“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”

Slipped Masks:


Slipped Masks

ISBN: 9781719330640

Description:

I can’t call you because if he hears me talking on the phone he’ll hit me again. He scares me. I know sooner or later he’s going to kill me. I’ll text you again when I can. I love you, Casey. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving to you how much I love you. Please come. Please save me …

With only text messages to guide him, Casey Byrne is on the hunt, racing across five states to save his ex-girlfriend, Madison.
Casey loves Madison deeply and wants desperately to save her life and rekindle their relationship.
But the closer he gets to her, the more surreal his journey becomes as the dead bodies pile up in his wake.

Clinical Lycanthropy: the delusion that a human can physically transform into a wolf.


If you were insane, would you know it?


How would you see the world if you were convinced you could transform into a wolf?


The hunter … and the hunted.


Slipped Masks is a dark neo-noir thriller about how the need for love and companionship becomes twisted into obsession, possession, jealousy, violence and murder.

A horrifying portrait of Clinical Lycanthropy.

Amazon link:


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Themes:
Sociopathy, narcissistic abuse, personality disorder, Clinical Lycanthropy, crime, murder.

Book available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of this book is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

Work in progress:


My next books are Triangulation and Stinger.

Books 4 and 5 in The Breaker series.


Set in the year 2001, the story continues from Mall Maze.



Themes:


Crime, detective, hardboiled, heist, murder, narcissism, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, psychopath, sociopath, thriller, vigilante.

 

A percentage from book sales is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.


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The Breaker is an on-going series.


I’m outlining other stand-alone thriller novels.

Several coffee table books on my photography and my wife’s artwork.

A humorous book, based on the antics of our crazy pet Ragdoll cat, entitled: It’s That F****** Cat Again!



Here’s a GIF I made of our cat, settling down for another of his daily naps:

On this day in music history - Celtic Fairy Dream, by 2002 (2020):


Celtic Fairy Dream

Album by 2002,
released May 20, 2020.

Track list:

Castle of Dromore; The Green Fields of Autumn (Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair); Lullaby (Suantrai); South Wind; David of the White Rock (Dafydd y Garreg Wen); Close Your Eyes (Dun Do Shuil); She Moved Through the Fair; Genevieve’s Waltz; Little Bird (Einini); Across the Waves (Trasna Na D’tonnta).

On this day in music history - The Modern Romantic, by Laura Sullivan (2016):


The Modern Romantic

Album by Laura Sullivan,
released May 20, 2016.

Track list:

WInds of Magic; Moonlight Romance; Timeless; Come Home; The Most Beautiful Girl in the World; Finding You Finding Me; The Princess Dance; A Tender Obsession; Fairytale Waltz; I Will Remember.

On this day in music history - Bellini: Norma by Cecilia Bartoli (2013):


Bellini: Norma

Album by Cecilia Bartoli,
released May 20, 2013.

Track list:

Bellini: Norma: Sinfonia (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: Introduzione - “Ite sul colle, o Druidi” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Svanir le voci!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Meco all’altar di Venere” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Me protegge, me difende” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Norma viene” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Sediziose voci, voci di guerra” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Casta Diva” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Fine al rito” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Ah! bello a me ritorna” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Sgombra è la sacra selva, compiuto il rito” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Eccola! va, mi lascia, ragion non odo” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 1: “Va, crudele, al Dio spietato” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Vanne, e li cela entrambi” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Adalgisa!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Oh! rimembranza!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Ah! sì, fa core, e abbracciami” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Ma di’... l’amato giovane quale fra noi si noma?”...”Oh non tremare “ (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Oh! di qual sei tu vittima “..”Oh! qual traspare orribile”..”Norma! de’ tuoi rimproveri” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 1 Scene 2: “Perfido! - Or basti...Vanne, sì: mi lascia, indegno” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 1: Scena – Introduzione - “Dormono entrambi” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 1: “Mi chiami, o Norma!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 1: “Deh! con te, con te li prendi” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 1: “Mira, O Norma” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 1: “Si, fino all’ore estreme” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 2: “Non parti?” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 2: “Guerrieri! a voi venirne” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 2: “Ah! del Tebro al giogo indegno fremo io pure” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Ei tornerà” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Squilla il bronzo del Dio!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Guerra, guerra!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Né compi il rito, o Norma?” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “In mia man alfin tu sei”..”Già mi pasco ne’ tuoi sguardi” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Dammi quel ferro” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Qual cor tradisti, qual cor perdesti” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Norma! deh! Norma, scolpati!” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Bellini: Norma / Act 2 Scene 3: “Deh non volerli vittime” (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi).

On this day in movie history - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008):


Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

directed by Steven Spielberg,
written by David Koepp,
based on a story by George Lucas and Jeff Nathanson,
was released in the United States on May 20, 2008.
Music by John Williams.


Cast:

Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, Igor Jijikine, Dimitri Diatchenko, Emmanuel Todorov, Ilia Volok, Pasha D. Lychnikoff, Andrew Divoff, Venya Manzyuk, Alan Dale, Joel Stoffer, Neil Flynn, Chet Hanks, Brian Knutson, Dean Grimes, Sasha Spielberg, Nicole Luther, Sophia Stewart, Chris Todd, Dennis Nusbaum, T. Ryan Mooney, Audi Resendez, Helena Barrett, Carlos Linares, Gustavo Hernandez, Maria Luisa Minelli, Nito Larioza, Ernie Reyes Jr., Jon Valera, Kevin Collins, Robert Baker.

On this day in television history - Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001):


Anne Frank: The Whole Story

a two-part TV miniseries directed by Robert Dornhelm,
written by Kirk Ellis,
based on the book Anne Frank: The Biography by Melissa Müller,
was released in the United States on May 20, 2001.
Music by Graeme Revell.

Cast:

Ben Kingsley, Hannah Taylor Gordon, Brenda Blethyn, Lili Taylor, Jessica Manley, Carly Wijs, Tatjana Blacher, Jean-Luc Julien, Joachim Król, Nicholas Audsley, Jan Niklas, Peter Bolhuis, Victoria Anne Brown, Jeff Caster, Rob Das, Cees Geel, Holger Daemgen, Michaela Horáková, Johannes Silberschneider, Jade Williams, Branka Katic, Klára Issová, Karel Dobrý, Veronika Nowag-Jones, Nancy Bishop, Dominique Horwitz, Suzanne Friedline, Pavel Kríz, Petra Lustigová, Joel Kirby, Robert Russell, David O’Kelly, Petr Meissel, Yanna Fabian, Zdenka Volencová, Howard Lotker, Michael E. Perry, Phil Jones, Nicky Kantor, Jaroslava Siktancova, Jelena Juklová, Jan Klíma, Lisa-Marie Gravell, Ela Lehotská, Olga Schmidtová, Kristina Beranova, Talya Gordon, Alec Gordon.

On this day in movie history - Once Upon a Time in America (1984):


Once Upon a Time in America

directed by Sergio Leone,
written by Leonardo Benvenuti, Piero De Bernardi, Enrico Medioli, Franco Arcalli,
Franco Ferrini, Sergio Leone, Stuart Kaminsky and Ernesto Gastaldi,
based on the novel The Hoods by Harry Grey,
was released at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 20, 1984.
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Cast:

Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Tuesday Weld, Burt Young, Joe Pesci, Danny Aiello, William Forsythe, James Hayden, Darlanne Fluegel, Larry Rapp, Dutch Miller, Robert Harper, Richard Bright, Gerard Murphy, Amy Ryder, Olga Karlatos, Mario Brega, Ray Dittrich, Frank Gio, Karen Shallo, Angelo Florio, Scott Tiler, Rusty Jacobs, Brian Bloom, Adrian Curran, Mike Monetti, Noah Moazezi, James Russo, Frankie Caserta, Joey Marzella, Clem Caserta, Frank Sisto, Jerry Strivelli, Julie Cohen, Marvin Scott, Mike Gendel, Paul Herman, Ann Neville, Joey Faye, Linda Ipanema, Tandy Cronyn, Richard Zobel, Baxter Harris, Arnon Milchan, Bruno Iannone, Marty Licata, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Estelle Harris, Richard Foronjy, Gerritt Debeer, Jennifer Connelly, Alexander Godfrey, Cliff Cudney, Paul Farentino, Bruce Bahrenburg, Mort Freeman, Sandra Solberg, Jay Zeely, Massimo Liti, Louise Fletcher, Terry Angus, Greg Anthony, Salvatore Billa, Bruno Bilotta, Matteo Cafiso, Nelson Camp, Rossana Canghiari, Scott Coffey, Doug Davis, Mark Frazer, Nunzio Giuliani, Dario Iori, Ole Jorgensen, Francesca Leone, Chuck Low, Claudio Mancini, Giuseppe Marrocco, Maria Pia Monicelli, Ron Nummi, Ryan Paris, Harry Peerce, Filippo Perego, Nicola Roberto, Gianni Sanjust, Alex Serra, Susan Spafford, Marco Stefanelli.

On this day in music history - Private Audition, by Heart (1982):


Private Audition

Album by Heart,
released May 20, 1982.

Track list:

City’s Burning; Bright Light Girl; Perfect Stranger; Private Audition; Angels; This Man Is Mine; The Situation; Hey Darlin Darlin; One Word; Fast Times; America.

On this day in movie history - The Killing (1956):


The Killing

directed and written by Stanley Kubrick,
dialogue written by Jim Thompson,
based on the novel Clean Break, by Lionel White,
was released in the United States on May 20, 1956.
Music by Gerald Fried.


Cast:

Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C. Flippen, Ted de Corsia, Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Joe Sawyer, James Edwards, Timothy Carey, Kola Kwariani, Jay Adler, Tito Vuolo, Dorothy Adams, Herbert Ellis, James Griffith, Cecil Elliott, Joe Turkel, Steve Mitchell, Mary Carroll, William Benedict, Charles Cane, Robert B. Williams, Tom Coleman, Rodney Dangerfield, Franklyn Farnum, John George, Art Gilmore, Sol Gorss, Harry Hines, Kenner G. Kemp, Carl M. Leviness, Hal J. Moore, Harvey Parry, Richard Reeves, Frank Richards, Arthur Tovey.

On this day in movie history - The Devil’s Party (1938):


The Devil’s Party

directed by Ray McCarey,
written by Roy Chanslor, Charles Grayson and A. Dorian Otvos,
based on the novel Hell’s Kitchen Has a Pantry by Borden Chase,
was released in the United States on May 20, 1938.
Music by Charles Previn.

Cast:

Victor McLaglen, William Gargan, Paul Kelly, Beatrice Roberts, Frank Jenks, John Gallaudet, Samuel S. Hinds, Joe Downing, Arthur Hoyt, Scotty Beckett, Stanley Blystone, Tommy Bupp, Neal Burns, Howard Christie, Drew Demorest, George DeNormand, Mike Donovan, Bill Elliott, Allen Fox, Otto Fries, Jack Gardner, Edward Gargan, Eddie Hall, Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian, Robert Homans, Hugh Huntley, Dickie Jones, Harvey Karels, Jack Kenney, Carl Knowles, Mike Lally, Larry McGrath, Charles McMurphy, Charles Murphy, Spec O'Donnell, David Oliver, Lee Phelps, Juanita Quigley, Fred Rapport, Mickey Rentschler, Jolane Reynolds, Addison Richards, Dick Rush, Tiny Sandford, Ralph Sanford, Charles Sherlock, Charles Sullivan, William Tannen, Charles Teske, Jerry Tucker, Minerva Urecal, Beryl Wallace, Norman Willis, Si Wills, Florence Wix, Arthur Yeoman.

Born on this day – Christian Juttner:


Christian Juttner


Actor

May 20, 1964 – November 29, 2024

Credits:

ABC Afterschool Specials (1974–1977); Alice (1980); Ark II (1976); Bewitched (1972); Emergency! (1972); General Hospital (1981); I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978); Inside 'the Swarm' (1978); Ironside (1971–1974); Journey from Darkness (1975); Lou Grant (1979); Making the 'Return' Trip (2003); Medical Center (1976); Return from Witch Mountain (1978); Return of the Big Cat (1974); S.W.A.T. (1975); The Bionic Woman (1976); The Blair Witch Mountain Project (2002); The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975); The Ghosts of Buxley Hall (1980); The Healers (1974); The Magical World of Disney (1974–1980); The Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance (1978); The New Mickey Mouse Club (1977); The Rookies (1974); The Swarm (1978); The Walt Disney Comedy and Magic Revue (1985); Trapper John, M.D. (1979); Wonder Woman (1976).

Born on this day – Virginia Vale:


Virginia Vale


Actress

May 20, 1920 – September 14, 2006

Credits:

Crime, Inc. (1945); Range Rhythm (1942); Cactus Capers (1942); Broadway Big Shot (1942); Keep Shooting (1942); Blonde Comet (1941); California or Bust (1941); The Gay Falcon (1941); Unexpected Uncle (1941); The Musical Bandit (1941); A Panic in the Parlor (1941); South of Panama (1941); Robbers of the Range (1941); Red Skins and Red Heads (1941); Repent at Leisure (1941); Prairie Spooners (1941); The Fired Man (1941); Triple Justice (1940); Stage to Chino (1940); Millionaires in Prison (1940); Corralling a Schoolmarm (1940); Prairie Law (1940); You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940); Bullet Code (1940); Legion of the Lawless (1940); The Marshal of Mesa City (1939); Three Sons (1939); Unmarried (1939); Persons in Hiding (1939); Ambush (1939); Disbarred (1939); King of Alcatraz (1938); Cocoanut Grove (1938); Her Jungle Love (1938); The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938); The Buccaneer (1938); True Confession (1937); Night Club Scandal (1937).