Synopsis
Coping with loss is something everyone experiences. When the loss is unexpected, permanent or “far too soon”, lives can be turned upside down--especially if important truths were close to the surface but never shared.
IVAN DORN is a thirtysomething freelance arts writer who travels the world, interviewing and reviewing all manner of artistic productions and personalities. Returning home from an Asian assignment, his world collapses, arriving in Toronto then discovering best friend--second-generation Vietnamese RYDAL PHUONG (known as Rye)--brutally murdered.
Immediately, Ivan’s quest for truth in art is overshadowed by an obsession to track down and punish the killer--even if that means losing the battle with Singaporean DAVID LIM for the coveted position of Chief Arts Critic with the up-and-coming e-magazine, Global Arts Review--GAR.
As his quest goes on, Ivan begins to understand more about himself than he dared ever admit--much less act upon.
On the first leg of his journey, Ivan has two extraordinary experiences with Rye’s sister, GIANG, during a visit to Vancouver for his soulmate’s funeral and attending a work-related concert. While reviewing the Vancouver Symphony, the red-haired critic is forced to confront his meaner side only to unlock a wellspring of compassion he hadn’t realized existed. Unexpectedly in bed with the alluring Vietnamese woman, Ivan’s climax explodes another myth about who he might actually be.
Both a small piece of evidence from the murder scene and the final stage of Dorn vs. Lim, shifts the setting to Palm Springs, California.
Following the evidence trail, Ivan ends up holding his breath--perhaps losing his dignity--booking a room at Inn Excess (a clothing optional men’s resort from which one of its laundry bags, effectively, became Rye’s murder weapon). There he encounters black-as-coal, opportunistic manager DAMIAN, ex-pat Mexican, TOBY (a paramedic-in-training, picking up extra cash as a diligent room attendant) and his colleague ANDREAS GONZALEZ (a porn star wannabe who works at the inn to be in close proximity to film producer and treasurer of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, HAROLD GREENWIN who, conveniently, lives right across the street). All of these men reveal more of Ivan to himself than he could possibly have expected.
Palm Springs is also the headquarters of GAR: publisher ELEANOR ANDISON and her stuttering copy editor LILA ADKINS work in tandem to complete the final stages of the chief critic competition. David is also in town as the candidates take on their last assignments, reviewing music-related productions during the annual celebration of foreign films. Face to face with his rival, Ivan is caught between victory at any cost and an unexpected friendship.
Rounding out the cast in the California desert is B-flick producer LIN LI HIN’S (a.k.a. Li Li--also David’s uncle) who hopes to secure a cash infusion for his next project from Harold. Also in the mix is MELISSA--Harold’s LA-based, acting-hopeful daughter--who would like nothing better than to punish her dad who was drunkenly at the wheel during a horrific crash which his long-suffering wife didn’t survive.
The closer Ivan gets to meting out justice for the loss of the only person in the world he’s ever truly cared about, the closer he gets to unmasking himself. Most certainly not the man he’d assumed he was, it took Rye’s sudden disappearance from the planet to cause the critic to finally realize the truth.
Even as scores are settled, Ivan will forever regret not sharing himself honestly with the young man who, catalytically, has made his life, at last, comprehensible. JWR
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