“This tale offers a peek into a most bizarre, eccentric, nonsensical case that I’ve ever been assigned to investigate,” weary FBI Inspector Joe Giralo had summoned his three principal agents, Salvatore Velardi, Arthur Orsi and Dan Blachford into his eighth-floor office situated inside the all-too-familiar 600 Arch Street Federal Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“An encrypted communique just two hours ago and requested that my team attempt to decipher exactly what is going on.”

    From that beginning The Reader is moved along an intriguing glimpse into an inexplicable series of criminals and very strange crimes.

   The tale continues in somewhat humorous tone with various holidays experiencing another of the peculiar non-robberies.  

  Outcome of investigation may surprise The Reader.

 The Piano and the Organ: begin p 13  purchase of an upright piano in 1975 will have startling impact on the narrator and his wife Joanne who add an organ in 1975.

The pair are parents of 3 lads, in 1992 all three are busy with college.  The piano and organ began behaving in most unexpected manner.

 Realty Reality: begin p 27  In April of 1966, elementary school teacher Rita Grasso married insurance salesman Rocco Costa in St. Joseph Catholic Church, North Third Street, Hammonton, NJ. In April of 1968, Rita’s sister and elementary school teacher Arlene Grasso married former Air Force Sergeant and present construction company foreman Vincent Bartolone at the same St. Joseph Church. Both wedding receptions were held and celebrated at Buena Vista Country Club in nearby Buena.

The tale continues as The Reader is presented a glimpse into the slice of life existence of a not so typical family who experience upset, robbery and return of stolen items, happiness, aging and death.

 Doing Bristol: begin p 45  When his wife treks to Florida for a visit with her sister The Narrator, a New Jerseyite visits the area where he grew up.  Many changes have taken place buildings are razed, new ones in their stead.

A week spent in the local Comfort Inn in Bristol leaves The Narrator feeling a bit confused.

   The Photo Finish: begin p 57   Business mogul James Dante Carlino, owner of a recently constructed three-million-dollar brick and stone mansion planned to meet with Thomas Monastra the South-Jersey Central Bank President. The visiting financial executive and the resident real estate guru were slated to discuss an imminent shopping center development project planned for erection just outside Somers Point, across the bay from scenic Ocean City, New Jersey.

   Sleep Paralysis: begin p 79   The Narrator relates that during a required college literature class, The Narrator diligently studied the profound essays of distinguished literary contributor Ralph Waldo Emerson and had also been assigned to read the recognized classic book Walden Pond, authored by Henry David Thoreau.

The Narrator learns that using self-taught mythology is somewhat akin to playing with fire.

   Rich Man, Poor Soul: begin p 91 The Narrator relates that during July 2014 he and his wife accompanied their grandson Dan and his eleven-year-old cousin Nick on a brief vacation excursion down to Ocean City, Maryland.  Initially the summer trip’s destination was a rather sentimental and nostalgic one for The Narrator.

    Lost Identity: begin p 103 Four professionals gather to help figure-out the Narrator’s true identity. The Narrator indicates his distraught mind’s hollow memories gradually began coming together like myriad floating pieces converging into a lucid kaleidoscopic pattern. “But despite my noble mental effort, I still was not remotely cognizant of either my first or my last name.”

   Family Resentment  begin p 113  The Bronson Family Vegetable Farm Established 1935 situated on rustic rural Road in Hammonton, New Jersey became famous for providing quality produce in major food distribution centers along the East Coast from Baltimore to Boston. In 1960 old Joseph Bronson faced reality and handed-over the reins of the reputable operation to his two sons, Dennis and Ben. 

 Sibling Rivalry soon developed between the brothers.

   Growing Young:  begin p 125  The Narrator relates December 7^th, 2014 had become his own personal self-inflicted Pearl Harbor Day. “I recollect that that particular Sunday morning started-out quite routine and nondescript.”  Church first then a stop at local diner before trekking on to the local Home Depot for heater filters.

  Fall of a heavy cardboard merchandise box from the top overhead shelf as The Narrator reaches for the filters leads to a three-week period of deep coma in the hospital; and to the possibility that The Narrator’s long held secret may be exposed.

 Corporal Teleportation, begin p 137,  Science Fiction Tales often explore the theme of Time Travel.

The Narrator presents the reality of his personal ‘Space Travel’, which he calls ‘Inexplicable Contemporary Teleportation.’

After The Narrator purchases a new flat screen TV and turns it on then begins a wild series of unfathomable situations.

 A Ride Through the Wharton Forest begin p 151  The first Wednesday of September, finds the retired middle school teachers of Hammonton, New Jersey meeting at a local eatery or tavern to celebrate the fact that the aging pedagogues no longer must enter a school building and instruct recalcitrant, undisciplined almost teenagers.

 Following the hour and half reminiscing Mack Vaughn and deer hunting buddy Jack Butler decide to scope out their favorite hunting area.

 “What’s that up ahead,” Mack Vaughn asked nervously. 

  “Two armed guys standin’ there are wearin’ camouflage military uniforms …”

 Contemporary Illuminati  begin p 151  We learn The Narrator’s father had four older sisters when he had been growing-up in Baltimore, Maryland in the early 1900s.

    The Narrator introduces Readers to an Immigrant family who face struggle, joy, hardship and success.  Fire, the early 1900s Influenza epidemic sweeping across the nation, WW2, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lots of family interaction and finally an unexpected bequest in the will of one aunt, reading of the will, and a pleasant surprise for The Narrator.

 Writer Jay Dubya’s fertile imagination has again set down some most interesting tales.  I especially like short stories, perfect for reading when time may not be available for longer works.  Each tale is told in twenty or so pages.

 Characters are well fleshed, dialogue is credible, settings are portrayed vividly allowing Readers to visualize each location, whether reminisce alone, or problems to be resolved each tale draws readers into the narrative quickly and holds reader interest fast.

 My personal favorites include the wry humor presented in Holiday Hooligans, a mystery to solve in the narrative Doing Bristol and Contemporary Illuminati ending with a most deserved gotcha.

 Enjoyed reading each tale, happy to recommend for school and public library catalogue, as a gift for short story enthusiasts, and for the personal book shelf.

  Available Amazon paperback, hard cover, kindle

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Reviewed by Molly Reviews BOOKS       molly  martin

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AMAZON   About Jay Dubya

Jay Dubya is author' John Wiessner's pen name.

John is a retired New Jersey public school English teacher, having diligently taught the subject for thirty-four years.

John lives in Hammonton, New Jersey with wife Joanne; the couple has three grown sons.