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Hickey Family Mystery #8
Midheaven
High school senior Jodi McGee turns from drugs and boys to Christ, but soon thereafter falls for her English teacher who is anything but a believer. As a result, tragedies test her will, her faith, and her sanity."Kuhlken has, with Jodi, created a character new to us--the born again adolescent who’s in-the-know--and he provides her with grit and honesty." Kirkus "The pace, clarity and assurance of Midheaven made it a pleasure to read." Bestselling novelist Anne Tyler."Midheaven is one of those rare gems of a novel that sneaks up on you and nestles in your soul. Jodi is a character you won't soon forget." Award winning mystery novelist Andy Straka.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 1980
About the author
Ken Kuhlken
36 books43 followersKen Kuhlken's stories have appeared in ESQUIRE and numerous other magazines, been honorably mentioned in BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES, and earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.
His novels include MIDHEAVEN, finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Award for best first fiction book, and the Hickey family mysteries: THE BIGGEST LIAR IN LOS ANGELES; THE GOOD KNOW NOTHING; THE VENUS DEAL; THE LOUD ADIOS, Private Eye Writers of America Press Best First PI Novel; THE ANGEL GANG; THE DO-RE-MI, finalist for the Shamus Best Novel Award; THE VAGABOND VIRGINS; THE VERY LEAST; and THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.
Hisfive-book saga FOR AMERICA, is together a long, long novel and an incantation, a work of magic created to postpone the end of the world for at least a thousand years.
His work in progress is a YA mystery.
His WRITING AND THE SPIRIT advises artists seeking inspiration. He guides readers on a trip to the Kingdom of Heaven in READING BROTHER LAWRENCE.
Also, he reads a lot, plays golf, watches and coaches baseball and softball, teaches at Perelandra College, and hangs out with his daughter when she comes home from her excellent college back east.
His novels include MIDHEAVEN, finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Award for best first fiction book, and the Hickey family mysteries: THE BIGGEST LIAR IN LOS ANGELES; THE GOOD KNOW NOTHING; THE VENUS DEAL; THE LOUD ADIOS, Private Eye Writers of America Press Best First PI Novel; THE ANGEL GANG; THE DO-RE-MI, finalist for the Shamus Best Novel Award; THE VAGABOND VIRGINS; THE VERY LEAST; and THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.
Hisfive-book saga FOR AMERICA, is together a long, long novel and an incantation, a work of magic created to postpone the end of the world for at least a thousand years.
His work in progress is a YA mystery.
His WRITING AND THE SPIRIT advises artists seeking inspiration. He guides readers on a trip to the Kingdom of Heaven in READING BROTHER LAWRENCE.
Also, he reads a lot, plays golf, watches and coaches baseball and softball, teaches at Perelandra College, and hangs out with his daughter when she comes home from her excellent college back east.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 27, 2019
Midheaven was one of those books that I had to keep reading to find out the why. Jodi is a young teen who has a very dysfunctional family. About the time she feels she has everything under control she makes a decision that changes her. Dating the rich and popular kid has its perks and expectations. Unfortunately, his expectations are different than Jodi's. She gave herself physically to this young man only to find betrayal. It doesn't help that as a new Christian her actions become very confusing to her. I could see her spiraling out of control when she made a forbidden connection to one of her teachers. We know from the beginning of the book that Charley, her childhood best friend is who she has loved for a long time. he was much older than her. However, no matter what she does he remains a true friend to her.
I won't say much more about the plot. I do want to respond to some of the other elements in the book. Charley's good friend Geoff is passionate about his new-found faith. He is the one who leads Jodi to become a Christian. A lot of the other characters in the book reacted differently to the Christian faith. Some became holier-than-thou and had no problem judging others. Some stumbled around with no real idea of what it means to be a Christian. They have no real guidance. As I read this, different people in my life popped into my mind. I have seen them all. Most of all it is a book of hope. No matter how much we mess up, God always leads us back.
I won't say much more about the plot. I do want to respond to some of the other elements in the book. Charley's good friend Geoff is passionate about his new-found faith. He is the one who leads Jodi to become a Christian. A lot of the other characters in the book reacted differently to the Christian faith. Some became holier-than-thou and had no problem judging others. Some stumbled around with no real idea of what it means to be a Christian. They have no real guidance. As I read this, different people in my life popped into my mind. I have seen them all. Most of all it is a book of hope. No matter how much we mess up, God always leads us back.
January 2, 2020
Grand Read
Kuhlken pens a grand story in Midheaven. I have read this author's work before, and was not disappointed in this wondrous story. This story takes the reader back to the early '70s, and brings Jodi to life. It's one of those stories that stay with you, and keep the reader turning the pages. The characters were well developed and engaging. The story was very unpredictable. This story was filled with plot twists and turns. The author's technique of creating interesting characters and great plotlines is a gift. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Kuhlken pens a grand story in Midheaven. I have read this author's work before, and was not disappointed in this wondrous story. This story takes the reader back to the early '70s, and brings Jodi to life. It's one of those stories that stay with you, and keep the reader turning the pages. The characters were well developed and engaging. The story was very unpredictable. This story was filled with plot twists and turns. The author's technique of creating interesting characters and great plotlines is a gift. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
August 13, 2012
Midheaven was a demoralising coming-of-age saga told through the journals of the main character Jodi. Although the prose is crisp and evocative, the characters are all lacking something. Namely, common sense.
Regardless of the fact that this novel was set in the early Seventies, one of the main plot points, that of Jodi and her English teacher having an affair, had me shaking my head in disbelief. Especially when only a few people objected.
No one in this novel seemed to actually know anything about Christianity, and the characters who were Christians either sucked at it or were new converts (like Jodi) and therefore had very little knowledge other than what they had been told.
For as smart as Jodi seemed, her moral compass was either badly broken or non-existent and the "grown ups" around her really weren't much different. I was baffled at how careless her parents seemed, regardless of the time period.
If anything, Midheaven is almost like a primer on how young women can lose their way and begin to devalue themselves after their first sexual encounter. Jodi is a perfect example of a victim who just can't stop being victimized.
Regardless of the fact that this novel was set in the early Seventies, one of the main plot points, that of Jodi and her English teacher having an affair, had me shaking my head in disbelief. Especially when only a few people objected.
No one in this novel seemed to actually know anything about Christianity, and the characters who were Christians either sucked at it or were new converts (like Jodi) and therefore had very little knowledge other than what they had been told.
For as smart as Jodi seemed, her moral compass was either badly broken or non-existent and the "grown ups" around her really weren't much different. I was baffled at how careless her parents seemed, regardless of the time period.
If anything, Midheaven is almost like a primer on how young women can lose their way and begin to devalue themselves after their first sexual encounter. Jodi is a perfect example of a victim who just can't stop being victimized.
December 31, 2011
Ken Kuhlken's MIDHEAVEN is narrated by Jodi McGee, a high-school student who is having an affair with her English teacher, while enjoying time alone in her beautiful Lake Tahoe surroundings and struggling inside herself with spiritual issues. Jodi is torn between worldliness and commitment to Christianity.
Her relationships with others are a vital part of her maturing. Her best friend Charley provides support, despite his penchant for getting into trouble. Her relationship with her teacher Phillip provides trouble of a different sort.
MIDHEAVEN offers sharp characterizations and beautiful descriptions of the wilderness that Jodi loves. Christian readers will be involved by Jodi's inner struggle, while those just looking for an engrossing coming-of-age story will be amply rewarded.
Her relationships with others are a vital part of her maturing. Her best friend Charley provides support, despite his penchant for getting into trouble. Her relationship with her teacher Phillip provides trouble of a different sort.
MIDHEAVEN offers sharp characterizations and beautiful descriptions of the wilderness that Jodi loves. Christian readers will be involved by Jodi's inner struggle, while those just looking for an engrossing coming-of-age story will be amply rewarded.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews