Confessions of a Punk Rocker (Living Dead World 0.5)

Not only is musician Jack Norris haunted by guilt over his best friend and band mate's death in a drunk-driving accident, but he is literally haunted by his friend's decaying ghost.  Talk about a double guilt trip! When his band's new drummer promises to help him ditch his ghost, he grabs that chance with both hands.  Little does Jack know that he's going to be getting answers he doesn't truly know he is seeking. 

“Confessions of a Punk Rocker” is a truly complicated book. There are multiple story lines playing out, but alas, they don't necessarily mesh together. There is a musician that is potentially suicidal and definitely trying to embody the iconic punk rocker persona...unfortunately he just comes off as a royal pain in the butt to pretty much everybody he meets. Of all the story lines trying to compete for attention, the paranormal tale of the dead drummer, Eben, is the most intriguing. It draws the reader's attention and leaves them wanting more. Character-wise there are a number of supporting cast members that deserve mention such as Jen, Ethan, and VooDoo Chick. Again these characters bring the highlights that would otherwise be missing. The disappointment lies in defining what the book is truly about...music, ghosts, or romance? Reading becomes complicated and deters desire to read more. Ms. Strange does show incredible knowledge of the paranormal though and that again is the draw of this book. Dead Eben steals the show, quite literally at times. 

Warning: Some of the story could trigger issues for those with mental health issues. 

Penelope Anne Bartotto