The Mansion at Peacock Gully Review

 

Writer: Thaddeus Arjuna

Kindle ebook: Free on Kindle Unlimited

Release Date: July 2, 2017

 

When Dave arrives at an old mansion by the Sacramento River, he steels himself for disappointment. As an experienced chef, he has seen more disappointments than failures. Still, he braved a storm to attend this interview and see what the owner of the Northern California startup had to say. What will Dave discover when he opens the door of his girlfriend's Bronco with bald tires and ventures into the rain? Let's grab our hats and aprons, leap into The Mansion at Peacock Gully, and find out!

 

Story

Dave has worked in successful restaurants. But he has also cooked his heart out, only to see restaurants go bankrupt, and the failures destroy owners and their families. When Dave meets Henry, he likes the former teacher. Dave perceives the man's essential kindness and honesty. All the work Henry has done to restore the aging property impresses Dave. Still, Dave knows that Henry has a long way to go before he can open the restaurant. There's the kitchen to furnish for a start. And all the building and health inspections will eat away at Henry's startup capital.

 

After so many years in the food industry, Dave is starting to tire of its demands. Food isn't just something you eat. For Dave, it's a sacred calling. He sees food as the glue that holds society together. It's the difference between existence and living life to the fullest. Dave yearns for an opportunity to test his creativity, create a menu that will attract people near and far, and help Henry's dream come alive. In The Mansion at Peacock Gully, running a great restaurant is Dave's dream too.

 

Thaddeus Arjuna employs an omniscient narrator to peer into each character's past. As the protagonists race against the clock to realize Henry's vision, Thaddeus shows what makes them tick. His flowing prose enamors you to heroes, paints haunting portrayals of villains, and explores the conflicts in the characters' lives.

 

While the subject of this novella is Henry, Dave rises to become the person we most care about. We see the love he lavishes upon the food he creates. He may be struggling to hold his family together. The dynamics of city life versus the suburbs he favors have forced him to compromise. But in The Mansion At Peacock Gully, Dave shines with the glow of a creator at the height of his powers, sharing his creations with everyone who walks through the restaurant’s doors.

 

Final Thoughts

Thaddeus Arjuna's story is a joy to read. But it also offers a sobering reflection on life. While The Mansion At Peacock Gully encourages us to live our dreams, this true crime saga, told through the lens of fiction, reminds us to be careful of the company we keep. The people closest to us can help us succeed. But no matter how lofty their intentions, their poor associations can also plant the seeds of our destruction.

 

Rating: Five stars

 

Read more about Thaddeus Arjuna's story, and see what other reviewers have to say about The Mansion At Peacock Gully at Amazon.com.