EXCERPTS FROM REVIEWS OF THE NOVELS THE GOLD KEY By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Lauren Cidell In The Gold Key, Arthur Davis crafts a….. gripping gothic murder mystery….. that could have been taken from the darkened soul of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Edgar Allen Poe, with just a tinge of Alfred Hitchcock. Davis artfully illustrates how dark a man’s desires may run, and to what lengths he will go to fulfill them. “I am who I am. Who I always was; only a more disfigured version than before and now with this potential, stridently more unpleasant to behold.” THE GOLD KEY By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Miranda Barnes Shakespearean twists and Machiavellian motives steer the reader through sinister murders, perverse tragedies and endless indulgences of the flesh. Davis has written a masterful…. staunch and trembling monologue…. of a man's squalid path through one of London's most indigent time periods. ONCE AND FOREVER By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Katy McElroy Once and Forever begins with…..a soul-searching journey, as Michael tries to learn how to cope with bitter memories….and becomes an imaginative exploration of the discovery of a hopeful future in an unexpected location. At times humorous, at times philosophical, Davis’ soulful narrative…Once and Forever stands as a poignant exploration of the unpredictability, the power, and the permanence of love. THE DEATHRIGHT By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Barbara Hollace A dark astrological thriller wrought with religious overtones, The Deathright pits the hope of mankind against the incarnation of evil. With great craftsmanship and characterization, Arthur Davis gives shape to the faceless terror that seeks to control or conquer hope’s light. Davis expertly weaves a tale of sleepless suspense blending graphic imagery with unrelenting tension. A taught and revealing read, Davis’ Deathright explores mans fragile and uncertain capacity to overcome his own greed and fear. JORDAN’S JOURNEY, ADVENTURES OF A SNOWFLAKE By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Jaimie Gusman This cleverly crafted, coming-of-age story…about the life of a legendary snowflake…takes the social components of human existence and personifies life through Jordon and the characters Arthur Davis masterfully creates. Like J.D. Salinger's novel, "Catcher in the Rye," Davis uses themes of alienation, loneliness and companionship to characterize the protagonist's journey through difficult life's transitions… ….an introspective and engaging blend of philosophy, spirituality, emotion and exploration of the human spirit. The beautifully metaphoric prose Davis constructs is surely a literary accomplishment that any audience can identify with and nostalgically enjoy. A BULLET FOR THE BAD GUY By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Eric. S. Wyatt Cornered in an empty apartment, Eddie Sillers – Private Detective – comes face to face with a former KGB agent and renowned bad guy, Col. Valentin Pudubny, and finds his knack for reciting Shakespearian puns a more formidable defense than even his trusty 9mm hyper-fire Rossi. Leaving his assailants paralyzed with the "crushing anxiety, confusion and panic-like symptoms" brought on by his wit and wisdom, Eddie is left to wonder if the whole carpet caper had been a trap. Thus begins the twisted tale by Arthur Davis…..action-packed and full of quirky details that makes Eddie Sillers a lovable, if sometimes exasperating, character. ....Davis has created a signature character who twists and turns just at the time you think you can anticipate what he'll do, or think, or say next.... in this offbeat, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read. A BELLY FULL OF BULLETS By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Caitlin Herman ….the page turning story of an offbeat private investigator despised by the police and adored by women because of his ability to solve the unsolvable. ….with underworld of crooked cops, horse betting, sideways monks, and rabbit thieves as he investigates a maze of murders and their link to the caves under Central Park. Davis' driving voice is constant throughout …. His main character's unique internal monologue is characterized by courage, bravado and relentless self-doubt, and tinged with razor sharp humor. ….all meticulously crafted by Davis' imaginative pen. THICKER THAN BLOOD By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Melissa Proctor Arthur Davis’s stirring and thought-provoking prose takes us on a journey through the dark, twisting mind of a man engulfed in anguish and rage as he confronts his worst nightmare….facing the prospect of standing alone in the world, with his only remaining kin a man whom he’d rather didn’t exist. The story sizzles with unconcealed scorn and bitter disappointment, the words fairly burning their way off the page. ….. be swept away on the roller coaster of one man’s emotional struggle to reconcile his past and present. …..the story resonates on an emotional frequency that is sure to be familiar to the heart and mind of any reader. 10 POUNDS, THE NOVEL By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Maya Marshall In 10 Pounds, Arthur Davis’ protagonist is pitted against himself and the critical eyes of other New York City elite. This ignoble middle-aged confection addict ...lives by his own moral code and a personalized logic in matters of sex and chocolate. He is a self-effacing Ignatius J. Riley. Davis’ style is noteworthy. It stands out in the world of contemporary prose. With Raymond Carver’s dialogue style, Davis relates a stunning portrait …of women loved, betrayed and confided in—a list of promise and exile, in the authentic vein of Bukowski’s Women. In the end, our protagonist, shown through Davis’ wrenchingly sculpted shower scene, manages to wrestle the desires—the lusts and the penchant for delicacies—so that he still has his dignity to hold on to. THE CHOCOLATE MESSIAH By Arthur Davis Excerpt from review by Hadley Ajana …. a “harsh and thankless man” disrupts the lives of …. a small New England town when he claims a piece of land he won in a lawsuit….and his place as principal of their school…. The Chocolate Messiah, an intricate yet elegant novel that is a clever mix of mystery and character study (think Citizen Kane), with just a touch of romance. Davis gently unfolds the plot…in a series of surprising and tender events that lead the characters to a final dramatic moment reminiscent of the Great Gatsby, bringing a web of relationships into focus. ……readers will enjoy Davis’ poignancy and attention to detail. Davis’ descriptions lace a compelling plot with insight and humanity. Lovers of literature will appreciate the originality of the writing and the care with which each story line is resolved. They will also recognize the love poured into the creation of the book's lifelike characters.