Review of "Naked Came the Leaf Peeper" featuring Brian Lee Knopp, John P. McAfee, Susan Reinhardt, Vicki Lane, Tommy Hays, Wayne Caldwell, Fred Chappell, Alan Gratz, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Gene Cheek, Linda Marie Barrett, Charles F. Price, and Tony Earley

Review written by David Speed

Many authors would run screaming the other way if given a chance to collaborate on a literary project.  They’d rather sink or swim by their own hand.  The writers of this local treasure created  ‘Naked Came the Leaf Peeper’ with the attitude that there are others to share the blame, so let it rip!  What ensues is worthy of their unleashed twisted talents.

Mix a sprinkle of Lisbeth Salander with a dash of Hannibal Lecter, a southern drawl, flaming red hair and freckles.  Call the result Garnell Lee Ray.  Place her hidden amongst the rhododendron alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway with a loaded tater gun and then hold on!

Garnell’s path crosses the likes of J. D. Klontz, a relocated Yankee detective, Rowena, the incredibly sexy High Priestess and Mr. Michaux, a local big wig developer to name just a few.  Greed, lust, incest and revenge take this tale into dark hollers, over steep mountain footpaths and lead the reader up the river without a paddle.

Don’t even think about foreshadowing being used here.  Each author takes the baton, makes a left turn, drops it in a mysterious cove filled with fog or pitches it in the French Broad River before letting go.  Hilarity rules while everyone reading is left wondering what the hell is going to happen next? 

Local scenery, legend, lies and characters abound.  Western North Carolina never looked so good or bad for that matter.  These pages are equal opportunity offenders taking careful aim and finding their marks.  If you don’t identify with anyone in this book, you don’t live around here, do ya?

Do yourself a favor.  Put down this review and run to the bookstore, library or the Internet, and order up a heaping helping of genius run amok that is ‘Naked Came the Leaf Peeper.’