The chess problem of Double Excelsior, the shooting in the graveyard, the beating in the university, the FBI, the gangsters, and all other elements combine to make The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter an exciting and chilling thriller.
What I enjoy about The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter is the fact that it offers an insightful glance into the rich and powerful black middle class.
While this book is a thriller, it has spiritual depth, and offers insight into the motivation of our hearts and mind. It is not a book that you can finish within a couple of days.
The theme of black influence runs through The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter.
The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter refers to Oliver Garland, the disgraced Judge. This book was written in the first person point of view, through the youngest son, Talcott Garland’s point of view.
The Emperor of Ocean Park, Oliver Garland, died early in this book. The question of whether the Judge, Oliver Garland, died of natural cause or otherwise was raised early in the story.
As the plot thickens in The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter, the questions of what kind of person was Oliver Garland and whether he was murdered kept the suspense in this book.
An interesting character was Uncle Jack Ziegler. Everyone knew this Uncle Jack Ziegler to be a murderer, yet he was a man who kept his word. However, nobody can prove that he is the middleman for killers and clients. Interestingly, this Uncle Jack Ziegler happened to be the best friend of Judge Oliver Garland.
As the story progress, the personality of Judge Oliver Garland becomes the compelling anchor in the story. Judge Oliver Garland hired killer to kill the two persons who killed his daughter. Judge Oliver Garland fixed cases. Judge Oliver Garland had a devious mind. Judge Oliver Garland set into motion a series of riddles to lead Talcott Garland to the information about the cases that he fixed.
After reading this book, I am very glad that my parents are simple and original folks. They do not have so ugly skeletons hiding in the closet. I also am very glad that I do not have to dig into the past to find out the darker side of my parents.
It probably is a blessing not to born into the rich and powerful family.
The best part of The Emperor of Ocean Park
by Stephen Carter is the philosophical insight into human nature. I note a few interesting and inspiring quotations from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter.Quote 1 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“Every winter, my father griped about the upkeep and threatened to sell it, because that is what one does when happiness is a questionable investment.”
(My reflection: Is happiness an investment? Is happiness the result of investing in a property?)
Quote 2 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“The device (telephone) has no conscience. It rings when we are sleeping, showering, praying, arguing, reading, making love.”
Quote 3 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“You draw a line and you put yourself on one side of the line and the past on the other.”
(My reflection: This is my favorite quotation. It will serve us very well if we can live our lives according to this advice.)
Quote 4 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“Nobody can resist temptation all the time. The trick is to avoid it.”
Quote 5 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“Web: One-third retail, one-third porn, and one-third lies, all of our baser nature in one quick stop.”
(My reflection: As internet progresses, I guess it will become a political weapon very soon. Many people apparently have the tendency to believe everything they read.)
Quote 6 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“Being part of the elite is the reward for working hard and living right.”
Quote 7 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“A few fractures and bruises are a small price to pay for a sense of wonder and independence.”
(My reflection: This is the best advice for parents. It is never good to become over-protective and restrict children from enjoying and learning.)
Quote 8 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“If you strike at the king, you must kill him.”
Quote 9 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“It is not your mind that God wants, but your soul.”
Quote 10 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“God does not want you to read the Bible and say, what a beautiful book! He wants you to read the Bible and say, Hallelujah, I believe.”
(My reflection: How many people really read the Bible? Even many people who called themselves Christians never think of reading the Bible.)
Quote 11 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“Rights are a thing of man. Loving your neighbor, turning to one another in charity and humility, is a gift we give back to the Lord.”
Quote 12 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“No doubt the investigators swore her to silence, but Valerie, for whom gossip is nutrition, gives me a line-by-line account of the interview.”
(My reflection: spreading gossip is human nature. It does not matter our social status or income status, many people still treat gossip as nutrition.)
Quote 13 from The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter
“I have, as so often, the courage of the fool.”
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Love this quote, “Nobody can resist temptation all the time. The trick is to avoid it.” Couldn't agree more.
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