Echo From a Bayou by J. Luke Bennecke
What's It About?
After awaking with memories of a past life, one man goes on a journey to find his murderer. As danger lurks at every turn, he must fight for survival and protect those he loves before a hurricane hits.J. Luke Bennecke’s newest thriller, Echo From a Bayou, opens with a first line to rival that of any other book: “Never had I seen so many angry trees in one place.” Riding a gondola up to the summit of Mammoth Mountain, California, John Bastian tries to blow off steam on a ski trip with his best friend Kevin. A series of alarming events in the opening pages of the book bring Bastian within inches of death.
Waking from a coma a few days later, the California native discovers that he has mysteriously acquired a pronounced Southern accent accompanied by vivid visions and memories that reveal a former life. Bastian’s other identity is revealed to be that of Jack Bachman, a man who died sometime in the 1970s. The haunting hallucinations include being violently murdered with a rusty axe and an encounter with a seductive redhead woman for whom Bastian feels a compulsive desire. Are these unpredictable flashbacks glimpses of a previous existence, or even an alternate dimension?
Echo From a Bayou combines elements of action, adventure and suspense with a pronounced element of “the unexplainable,” riding the line between supernatural and existential. Bennecke demonstrates unparalleled skill in tying together multiple plot lines, exploring meaningful themes, and saving a few surprises until the very last page.
Murder & Hidden Treasure
As John Bastian and his sidekick Kevin embark on a journey from California to Louisiana to uncover the truth behind this new alter ego, they learn of a hidden treasure of untold millions hidden somewhere in the bayou; a treasure with a malevolent curse which may have cost Jack Bachman his life. In the midst of this cross-country journey, the author manages to weave an incredibly rich backstory for each character, render vivid settings, without slowing the pace of the book for even a moment. J. Luke Bennecke even incorporates meaningful meditations on reincarnation, desire and friendship.
The duo of Bastian and Kevin encounter multiple obstacles in their path through the Arizona desert, across the plains of Texas and in the world-famous city of New Orleans, including ghosts and weather-related disasters. As they approach their destination near Baton Rouge, the battering force of the storm grows in intensity to match Bastian’s mounting need to solve the mystery of his past life.
Another remarkable feature of Echo From a Bayou is the seamless introduction of additional supporting characters throughout the course of the book that come to play pivotal roles. The widow of the late Jack Bachman is first introduced as an ethereal, seductive vision, but Tammy Bachman Jones later proves to be a strong and independent woman. The question that drives much of the novel is what role Tammy may have played in Jack’s demise. Will she aid or hinder Bastian’s effort to discover the truth?
Carefully Crafted Characters
Additionally, one of the greatest thematic successes of Echo From a Bayou comes with a character who isn’t introduced until near the midpoint of the book. Kevin and Bastian track down a contact who proves to be their only decent lead. When they meet this character in his home, Bastian experiences a strange phenomenon with their first handshake, when their palms connect. “A colorful display of fireworks and light flashes exploded in my mind. [He] vanished and reappeared repeatedly like bad tv reception.”
This stranger becomes a stolid ally in the search for truth and treasure. He confronts trauma, repressed memories and environmental disasters to try to help solve the mystery, bringing poignant emotional depth to the action-packed story.
Nicknames, allusions to past relationships, dramatic weight loss, aching joints, infatuations and vivid memories are sprinkled along each page to help the reader feel invested in each character. Even the nefarious villains of this story are rendered with sufficient detail to create a carefully calculated connection with the reader. Scott Jones, commercial pilot and murderous treasure seeker, stops a hijacking plot on one of the planes that he pilots on his return to search for the cursed gold. He proves himself to be courageous, despite his sordid past, even as he plots to eliminate anyone who stands between him and the treasure.
Exceptional Thriller
For fans of Bennecke, keep an eye out for a few clever references to other works that pop up occasionally in these pages. A news report about self-driving cars, for example, recalls his previous novel Civil Terror: Gridlock. Overall, Echo From a Bayou is a dramatic departure from the subject matter of Bennecke’s previous novels, but readers will find a consistently high caliber of writing and creativity in all of his work.
Echo From a Bayou contains many facets of thematic depth and writing excellence, making it exceptional in the thriller/mystery genre. Each character is embued with a strong, straightforward motivation, which helps to drive the plot and simultaneously create suspense. Hunting for treasure, exacting revenge, reconnecting with a loved one, seeking truth and exploring a strange phenomenon are just a few of the elements incorporated in this work that will make it memorable for all. Author J. Luke Bennecke will have you dodging bullets, throwing punches, and facing down a raging tropical hurricane all from the comfort of your favorite reading spot.
About J. Luke Bennecke:
J. Luke Bennecke is a native Californian and veteran civil engineer who has spent his career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He has a civil engineering degree, an MBA, a private pilot’s certificate, and is a partner in an engineering firm. In his role as philanthropist, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors at his alma mater. Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife of over 30 years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, plays golf, learns about innovative tech, and spends time with his grown daughters. Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.
