Title: The Never-Open Desert Diner
Author: James Anderson
First published February 15, 2015
288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780912887104 (ISBN10: 0912887109)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
James Anderson’s thrilling debut novel, The Never-Open Desert Diner, is a captivating tale of a remote Utah desert where people go to escape their past. Ben Jones is a truck driver who travels along Route 117, the least-traveled road in the region, delivering supplies to the inhabitants of the desert who seek refuge in this barren land.
However, when he meets a mysterious woman named Claire, who is hiding from her dark past, Ben’s life takes an unexpected turn. Despite the risks, he falls in love with her, but their happiness is short-lived when Claire’s past catches up with her, putting their lives in grave danger.
As Ben helps Claire evade her pursuers, they uncover long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel the very fabric of the desert’s inhabitants. The never-open desert diner, once the pride of the community, plays a crucial role in their quest for answers.
Can Ben and Claire survive the dangerous men hunting them down and uncover the truth about the desert’s greatest mystery? Find out in this gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
About the Author
James Anderson was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, spending his formative years in Oregon and Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, he went on to earn his Masters Degree in Creative Writing from Pine Manor College in Boston, Massachusetts.
During his undergraduate studies, Anderson wrote his thesis on the poetry and poetics of Lew Welch, titled “Word-man/Poet.” For his Masters thesis, he explored the theme of the literary child in adult fiction, titled “The Never-Entered Kingdom: Beyond Linguistics in the Rendering of the Literary Child.”
At the young age of 19, Anderson had his first poem, “Running It Down,” published in Poetry Northwest, a national magazine. His work has since been featured in numerous publications, including Northwest Review, New Letters, The Bloomsbury Review, and Solstice Magazine.
In 1974, Anderson founded Breitenbush Books, a publishing company specializing in literature and general interest trade titles. He served as the publisher and executive editor until 1991, during which time Breitenbush received many accolades, including three Western States Book Awards, juried by esteemed authors such as Robert Penn Warren, Elizabeth Hardwick, and N.
Scott Momaday. Breitenbush published works by notable authors like Mary Barnard, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Sam Hamill.
From 1995 to 2002, Anderson co-produced various documentary films, including the award-winning Tara’s Daughters, narrated by Susan Sarandon. The film highlighted the struggles of Tibetan women refugees as they carried on Tibetan culture in the diaspora.
Editoral Review
The Never-Open Desert Diner by James Anderson is a gripping novel that explores the lives of a set of characters living in the heart of the Utah desert. The author has masterfully crafted this novel with a beautiful mix of mystery, adventure, and suspense that will leave readers eager to turn the pages.
James Anderson is a skilled author who has spent years exploring the world of Western literature. His experience shines through in The Never-Open Desert Diner, with vivid descriptions of the Utah desert that will transport readers to the very heart of the story.
The novel is a perfect fit for readers of fiction, suspense, and mystery genres, with strong themes of love, loss, and human relationships woven into the narrative. The Never-Open Desert Diner is set in a remote corner of the Utah desert, where a truck driver named Ben Jones makes his daily rounds.
Ben is a character who is deeply committed to his work, with a strong sense of duty and respect for the people he serves. The story is built around Ben and the people he encounters during his journeys, including a washed-up Hollywood actress, a struggling artist, and a range of other fascinating characters.
At the heart of The Never-Open Desert Diner is the mystery of what lies beneath the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Utah desert. As Ben Jones travels farther and deeper into the desert, he uncovers strange and unsettling secrets that have remained hidden for years.
This sense of mystery is a powerful catalyst for the story, drawing readers in and keeping them on the edge of their seats as they follow Ben on his quest for answers. One of the most notable strengths of The Never-Open Desert Diner is its excellent character development.
Anderson has a keen eye for detail, and he expertly weaves together the stories of each of the novel’s diverse cast of characters. Throughout the story, the author explores the inner workings of these characters, diving deep into their motivations and fears.
By the end of the novel, readers will feel a powerful connection to these characters, and will be left wishing for more. Another strength of The Never-Open Desert Diner is the pacing of the plot.
Anderson expertly balances suspense and action throughout the novel, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The author also excels in creating a palpable sense of atmosphere throughout the story, with descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the stark, beautiful Utah desert.
While there are a few minor flaws in The Never-Open Desert Diner, these are largely outweighed by the novel’s strengths. Some readers may find the plot to be somewhat slow in places, but this is offset by the stunning character development and powerful sense of atmosphere that permeates every page of the book.
Overall, The Never-Open Desert Diner is a beautifully written, engaging novel that is sure to capture the hearts of readers from all walks of life. James Anderson has crafted a stunning story that seamlessly weaves together mystery, suspense, and human relationships to create a truly remarkable work of fiction.
Highly recommended for fans of Western literature, mystery, and suspense genres. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
