BOOK REVIEW / Rock Bottom

By Diane Johnson

Rock Bottom is a lively dramatic read that will capture your imagination and transport you into the seedy underworld of Key West. Author E.R. Warner deftly weaves a common bond between the characters, exposing their spiritual connections as they seek redemption from past mistakes. The award-winning novel Rock Bottom will have you guessing what’s next with its surprising plot twists. Winner of the Anne McKee Literary Award and the Richard Heyman Award, author E.R. Warner is a Key West local, who understands the Keys in all its glory and pathos.

Tessie is a naïve seventeen-year old girl whose parents died at the hands of the Castro regime, and yet she only sees the good in people. Tessie has gotten mixed up with a group of violent druggies she thinks are her friends, and doesn’t realize the danger she’s put herself in. Sprinkle in a little Cuban Mafia, a former Key West resident Doc Palmer and his longtime buddy Captain Burston, and you have the makings of a compelling summer read. Doc Palmer gets the party started when he rolls back into town after being gone for two years. His concerns for Tessie are heartfelt but this man has a serious drinking problem that gets in the way of finding her. Doc is depressed due to three failed marriages and anxious from a traumatic homosexual experience when he was 10 years old. Adding other characters into the eclectic Key West mix, Warner introduces the reader to a bisexual navy veteran who has a natural gift for helping people find themselves; and a Key West policewoman on a seven-year mission to save young girls from a pedophile.

Drugs and alcohol are easy to come by in this tiny island town surrounded by picture perfect turquoise waters and gorgeous sunsets. But, be careful of the reefs and the many unmarked shallow spots where inexperienced boaters can get into trouble. The locals know the tides; understand the navigational aides and where to avoid but the tourists, not so much. Cuban roots run deep in Key West, which is only 90 miles from Havana. Thousands of refugees found sanctuary in Key West during the Mariel boatlift, and their descendants are still here today. The city is also well known for its tolerance and diversity. Everyone from the LGBT community is welcomed with open arms. Local Key West hangouts like Don’s Place, 801 Bourbon and Hogsbreath are part of the story. Drinking is a natural part of daily life in this tropical paradise, but it can be a dangerous place for anyone with an addictive personality.

Rock Bottom is available at the Key West Island bookstore, located at 513 Fleming St. Hours are 10 – 9 Mon – Sat and 10 – 6 on Sundays. To learn more about author E.R. Warner, checkout her website at: www.erwarner.com

Island Books is hosting a book signing on Saturday, July 25th from 5 – 7. Meet local authors Susan Bacoyanis and Scott McDowell. Peruse their books: There Are No Accidents & Marinas, respectively.

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