
My Review
Tony Powers’ psychological thriller The Attendant opens by introducing two New York City residents who could not be more different from each other: wealthy, privileged financier Richard Alleroy and damaged Gulf War veteran Emanuel Graves.
The initial set-up of the book was a bit labored for me, with more description than was needed to set the scene and introduce the characters. However, this is a very minor quibble. Once the inciting incident occurred–a mysterious blackmail note received by Alleroy–I was hooked.
Alleroy’s attempts to meet the blackmailer’s demands do not succeed because of a chance encounter in a nearby park with Emanuel. His misdeeds are subsequently revealed to his employer, who promptly fires him. He then hatches a desperate plan to convince Emanuel to kill him, so that his wife and children can collect on a sizable insurance policy.
The story is told in alternating points of view between Alleroy and Emanuel, which serves the plot admirably. Both of the main characters are well-developed, with Emanuel the more sympathetic of the two. At the same time, I was able to see Alleroy’s plight through his eyes, which raises the stakes and contributes to the narrative tension. The stakes are raised for Emanuel with the gradual development of a love interest, Estella. Interspersed throughout are short scenes from the points of view of Estella and Alleroy’s wife, thereby raising the stakes for each man even higher.
As to be expected in a thriller, there are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader guessing. What I particularly appreciated as I was reading was that with each new plot twist, more of each man’s character is revealed.
In the end, I read The Attendant in one sitting with no breaks. I simply could not stop turning the pages!
The Author
Tony Powers has acted in major movies (Goodfellas, Cadillac Man, Catch Me If You Can) and TV (NYPD Blue, The King of Queens). A hit songwriter (98.6, Remember Then, Lazy Day), his songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Kiss to Louie Armstrong. His MusicFilm (Don’t Nobody Move (This is a Heist)) won Silver at The International Film and Music Festival of New York, Gold at The International Music Video Festival of Saint Tropez, and was Details Magazine’s Video of the Year. His CD Who Could Imagine was called a ‘masterpiece’ by Joel Selvin, former rock critic of The San Fransisco Chronicle. Powers currently blogs at: https://barkinginthedark.com/.
The Inspiration
Well, the germ of this novel began in (gasp) 1967. I wrote it originally as a film short while I was successfully writing “hit” songs, which metier I finally turned my back on because the “commerciality” of the music “business” made me feel less like an artist and more like a tailor.
I was, and still am, a political animal and an observer of the human condition – a condition in which sadly I find great fault. I have seen the consequences of iniquities faced by people without an education or the means to get a decent-paying job. I’ve been witness to the damage inflicted on people with little recourse other than to live a desperate life, join the military, or turn to crime. I have long been a class warrior.
That a nation surfeit with wealth refuses to provide free or inexpensive health insurance and a solid education to every citizen whose taxes should go towards providing these services has always filled me with anger. The theme of class struggle and what I see as the basic unfairness of our system has always run through my original music, my blogging and my novels. I find humanity as a whole to be too filled with ignorant cruelty not to drive itself to extinction in what will be a blink of the eye to the universe.
This novel represents that greedy part of humanity polluting what decency it can in the naked pursuit of power and money.
A Musical Example of Tony’s Social Commentary
Liz, as always an excellent review, rich with sufficient detail to draw the reader to read the work. I liked the insights into the author’s work from his own words.
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Thank you very much, Suzette!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Liz. That’s quite a testimonial that you read the book in one sitting without a break!
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You’re welcome, Merril! Prior to The Attendant, I can’t remember the last time I read a novel in one sitting.
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I certainly haven’t done it recently.
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That really does sound gripping. Gulf War vet–great way to set it in time. I am definitely interested.
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I hope you’ll check it out, Jacqui!
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Another wonderful review, Liz. I enjoyed all the background information about the author.
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Thank you, Bonnie. I didn’t know about the author’s background until I’d finished the book.
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Great review! I love that the ‘germ’ of this novel began in 1967. It just goes to show that a great story can be many years in the making! 🙂
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Thank you, Linda! You’re so right that great stories are sometimes years in the making- and are all the better for it.
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As always an excellent review, Liz and an the authors had an interesting profile and views 🙂
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Thank you, Carol!
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Excellent review and accompanying material, Liz! Huge, infuriating economic inequality offers a lot of creative fodder.
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Thank you, Dave! Sadly, I think those economic inequalities are going to be creative fodder for many years to come.
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Sadly, SO true. 😦
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😦
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Thank you for sharing your review, Liz. Sounds like a good book.
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You’re welcome, John. Thank you for reading! If you like psychological thrillers, I think you’d like The Attendant.
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😊
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Another great review Liz. A possible addition to my reads.
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Thanks, Goff!
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Pleasure.
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What a great review, Liz! Thank you for adding a video with his musical commentary too.
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Thank you, Marina! That’s quite a video, isn’t it?
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My pleasure!
Oh, yes it is!
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😀
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😘
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I have been following and reading his blog for quite some time, and he really tells it like it is.
I just the title of the book, which is his second one, and I was almost going to buy, but held off. After reading your review, I will be purchasing it.
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I’m so glad you will be purchasing the book! I just subscribed to Tony’s blog. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.
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I’ll be there with bells and whistles, and whatever else.
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😀
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Believe me, you will enjoy reading Tony’s posts.
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I look forward to it!
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Another worthy review, Liz. As, at five feet nothing and ancient…I’m also a secret ‘class warrior,’ the author’s work sounds very appealing. x
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Thank you, Joy! I hope you’ll check out the book.
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Great review and very intersting to read Power’s own thoughts. Living in a country with health insurance via taxes for ervery citizen, no matter your income, I feel very priviliged. I just hurt my knee skiing, and feel blessed not to have to worry about the “repair cost” in the midst of dealing with everything else that follows an injury 🍀.
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Thank you, Therese. The inequities in medical care in the US are shocking. I hope your knee injury wasn’t serious.
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Thank you, Liz!💕
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You’re welcome, Therese.
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This sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing your review, Liz! I enjoyed the video, too.
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You’re welcome, Jill! Thank you for stopping by, reading, and commenting. I appreciate it!
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I love good page turners that can’t be put down. Thanks for going so far as to sacrifice (ha) and read a book all at once, no breaks, to review it for us.
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You’re welcome, Sue! Thanks for reading.
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You are an excellent reviewer, Liz, and I suppose Tony’s book derives some power from his experience as an actor. Thank you!
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Thank you for your comments, Marian. At the time I read the book, I didn’t know Tony was an actor, but the connection you’ve made makes sense. The book is visual and the characters’ inner lives are portrayed vividly as well.
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An excellent review, Liz. This concept is quite novel, I haven’t ready anything like it.
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Thank you, Robbie. It was the psychology of each character in the situation he found himself in that kept me turning the pages.
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You have made us quite intrigued, Liz. You more or less plotted out the story, but you didn’t give anything away. I wish I had your talent.
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Thank you, GP. (I did check the back cover copy before I wrote the review to make sure I wasn’t entering spoiler territory.)
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I’ll have to keep that in mind.
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Sounds like a book I can sink my teeth into!
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Thanks, Shayne! I hope you’ll check it out.
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I will!
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I agree with Powers’s observation about humanity’s ignorant cruelty driving us to extinction. (My addendum: too bad we’ll take a lot of other life forms out before we exit the scene.)
I do like your review, which says a lot about the book without spoilers!
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Thank you, Audrey! I agree with Powers’s observation and your addendum as well.
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Excellent review, Liz! Thaks for sharing.
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Thank you, Bette–and you’re welcome!
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Liz, thank you for the insightful review of my novel, and for your thoughtful responses to the comments from the very literate readers of your excellent and informative blog. I appreciate you all. Stay well. tony powers
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You’re most welcome, Tony!
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Thanks for the excellent review on a very interesting thriller, Liz! Also many thanks for the very useful additional information. xx Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for the reblog, Michael!
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😁 You’re welcome, Liz! Enjoy a nice day! xx Michael
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😀 You, too, Michael!
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Thanks for the excellent review on this very interesting thriller, Liz! Also many thanks for the additional information. Best wishes, Michael
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My pleasure, Michael!
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😁 Thanks, Liz!
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You’re welcome, Michael!
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Sounds intriguing …I’m so interested in human nature…but my nerves can’t take thrillers, lol.
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I hear that!
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This book is right in my sweet spot. I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers if they’re not too creepy.
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Thanks, Pete. I’d say The Attendent is a psychological thriller of desperation, not creepiness.
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Liz, thanks for a review that shows how gripping the novel is while also providing the author’s first-person perspective. I’ve copyedited several thrillers, and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to really understand what motivates the writing. And I have to confess I share Tony’s pessimistic view of humanity, which isn’t something I often read with the clarity he’s provided. As always, you’ve provided a stimulating post.
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Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments, Ranee. I share Tony’s pessimistic view of humanity as well, sadly.
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The story of the inspiration is very interesting too. I read a review of this book on another blog recently. Adding it to my tbr.
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I’m very glad to hear it, Sonia!
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I haven’t read a psychological thriller in a long time. That you read it in one sitting is testament to the power of the story.
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Thank you, Mandy.The story drew me in and wouldn’t let go!
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A thorough, enticing, review with a splendid video
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Thank you very much, Derrick! I agree with you about the video.
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I love the brief and compelling review. I haven’t read a thriller in a while, so this sounds like a good choice. I can’t disagree with the author’s sentiments about our country and humanity, either.
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Thank you, Eilene. I’m glad you enjoyed the review, and I hope you’ll check out the book.
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Thank you for your excellent review, Liz!
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You’re welcome, Eugi! Thank you for reading and commenting.
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My pleasure, Liz!
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Reading the whole thing in one sitting speaks highly of the book, Liz. What an interesting plot and I’m glad to hear there are lots of twists. Thanks for sharing that bit about the author’s inspiration as well as your review!
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You’re welcome, Diana! Reading The Attendant was quite a ride. 🙂
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Sounds like it!
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Great review, Liz. I haven’t read a thriller in ages and this sounds like a winner (as is the song). I’m going to check Tony’s blog out too.
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Thanks, Chris! I’m glad to hear it!!
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The book sounds super interesting. Thanks for the review, Liz!
LOVE the video, the commentary, the rap works for me. Most entertaing, while delivering a message.
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I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more of those video!
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There are a couple more of my MusicFilms, but rather than take up your valuable space anyone who’s interested can just google “tony powers youtube” and they are all there. Thanks again Liz. Stay well and continue…
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My pleasure, Tony.
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Yes!
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Okay Liz.. I made this MusicFilm during the G W Bush years. Enjoy…or not. And I am so chuffed by the comments of your readers re your review. Thank you so much. Here ya go and continue…
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You’re welcome, Tony. The Bush video brought back much that I’d forgotten about the G.W. Bush years. And things have only gotten worse. I have to say, I’m glad have more years behind me than ahead of me.
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Me too. Aad, ain’t it? continue…
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Yep, it is.
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Liz, Of course, my fingers got in the way of the word “sad.” But, that’s what it is, ain’t it? Continue…
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Wow! Liz this is a thorough and excellent review. Thank you!
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Thank you, Jennie!
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You’re welcome, Liz!
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Your book reviews are always well done and full of insightful commentary. This sounds like a possibility for the TBR. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Mark. I hope you do check out The Attendant. It’s a wild ride!
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i think you’ll enjoy the read Mark. stay well, tp
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Wow! Sounds really interesting!
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It’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, all right!
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it’s a good read Valerie. stay well.tp
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