Points of Origin

By: Darden North

Narrated by: Fred Wolinsky

Small southern towns are not always sleepy—particularly in Larkspur, Mississippi, where homes burst into flames and lives crumble. It is the suspicious death of a young woman that costs premiere plastic surgeon Dan Foxworth his surgical dynasty, his life, and that of his wife. Devastated by the loss of both parents and unable to meet a bitter grandfather's expectations, Sher Foxworth tries to save an elderly woman from her burning home. Suddenly the accidental hero, his life is turned upside down by disturbing twists of fate. To dig his way out, Sher makes a deal to wear a fireman’s hat and remains the hero. But it is the philandering, wealthy trial lawyer Cordell Pixler who collects the enemies. Many in the boiling southern town seek revenge against Pixler—some because of sex and some because of money—and it’s a race to see who nails him first. Points of Origin was awarded nationally in Southern Fiction by the Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards and is the second novel by Darden North. The audio book is narrated by Fred Wolinsky.

©2006 Darden North (P)2014 Darden North

Critic reviews

“Points of Origin... heart-stopping, spellbinding ending ... haunted me for days after closing the cover.”-( Reader Views)

“I devoured (it) ... uncanny character development along classic southern lines.”-Kathy Spurlock, Executive Editor, ( The Monroe, LA News-Star)

“North reminds readers that things are not always as they appear.”-( The Clarion-Ledger)

An intriguing, multi-level story brought to life

Any additional comments?

This book is hard to categorize, but it definitely kept my interest throughout. It is not really a mystery, though a lot of mysteries unfold. It is not really a romance, though several romances are central to it. It is not really a thriller, though it is full of excitement and twists and turns. It is the story of numerous lives in a small Southern town, that interconnect through various twists of fate, with each ripple in one person's life creating a tidal wave in another person's life. Before you realize it, you get drawn into the lives of these people, and become a fascinated voyeur.

The narrator moved the story along with perfect pacing and emotion, and created a unique voice and personality for each of the characters. It really brought the book to life! The audiobook version is definitely worthwhile, as the total is greater than the parts.

twists & turns

If you could sum up Points of Origin in three words, what would they be?

interesting quirky characters

What does Fred Wolinsky bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

At first, I didn't particulary like Mr. Wolinsky's southern accent, true it was southern sounding just not Mississippi southern sounding, was able to get used to it before book ended

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Cher raced to save Mrs. Artchesell and Dickens, a turning point in his life

Any additional comments?

I travel a lot and listening to Points of Origin on Audible was great! Very convenient!

4

Very good. I've read lots of mysteries. This one carries us into a behind the headlines world
- not of victims, their mourners or their detectives --
but of others standing close enough to tragedy to be dusted by the collision of worlds. I found it facscinating.

Not a thriller, more of a southern fiction

This book was marked as a thriller/mystery. To me, it was not a thriller at all. There were a few mysteries throughout the book, but more like a southern fiction novel. This is a story of numerous lives in one southern town, how they all collide and how little things that one person or multiple people do ripples throughout many other lives. It is an interesting book, but don't expect a thriller.

Fred does an excellent job of narrating the story. I have listened to him before, but this is the first time I've heard him do a southern accent. It was a little strong to begin with, but smoothed out pretty quickly and was quite enjoyable to listen to!

Made me feel like I was living the story

If you could sum up Points of Origin in three words, what would they be?

Hot southern revenge

What other book might you compare Points of Origin to and why?

Any Greg Iles novel

What about Fred Wolinsky’s performance did you like?

The narrator's diction and cadence are easy to follow, although the southern accent he assumes is more typical of a South Carolinian than a character from Mississippi, the setting of the novel. The book has many characters, both male and female, a challenge for any narrator but the writing assists the reader in following the dialogue.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

For me there were many powerful moments in this novel. Two that come to mind are when the plastic surgeon realizes his mistake with the young girl and knows he is powerless to reverse it and when Sher Foxworth visits his grandfather, finding him talking to squirrels that his grandfather calls by name.

Any additional comments?

The ending caught me of guard but did not leave me hanging. I hope there will be another Sheridan Foxworth novel and look forward to more work by North and Wolinsky.

Could have been so much better.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, definitely. The mid-section and the narration were really the better parts of the story. My least favorite part was the beginning to about 5 hours in, and the ending. At about 5-6 hours into the story I finally decided it was starting to get interesting and had a much better flow. From here and up to the time of Simmons getting caught in the shed by the female officer after the fire started, I was anticipating a rather exceptional finish, but then the author just "fell asleep at the wheel."

With all the tediously detailed events in the beginning that had me wondering whether or not to continue, and the interesting mid to near finish of the story that kept me listening and waiting for the big finale, to dump the ending in that way was rather sad. It was as if he got tired of writing and just wanted to get it over with.

What was most disappointing about Darden North’s story?

Without a doubt...the ending, which was surprising but a dismal failure the way it was written.

What does Fred Wolinsky bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Although the variety of voices was not top-notch, it was decent; Mr. W's thick southern accent was a great addition to the story but makes for harder voice range distinction. I think narration of stories (at least most of them) provides a better pace as well as a more emotional tie to a book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I actually think a movie would be better....they wouldn't have all the superfluous details and could fix the ending.

Any additional comments?

There were several very good parts to the story actually....the fire and dog rescue, Sher's remembrance of his parent's and grandmother's death, the meeting of Sher's grandfather and new girlfriend at the party. Even the description of the M's fire was pretty good.I think the author had a story with great potential but he and the publisher just dropped the ball.

Not what I expected

Would you listen to Points of Origin again? Why?

Yes the intricate story the author weaves is filled with subtle twists and turns that a second listening would undoubtedly uncover more details.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Points of Origin?

There were several scenes with Sher and his Grandad that were particularly moving, but the story of his parents leading to their stayed with me.

What does Fred Wolinsky bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Although the southern accent was a little heavy in my opinion Fred did a great job of putting just the right amount of emotion and depth into each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I think this book would best be consumed in a single sitting. A car ride or other situation where you can listen without distraction.

Any additional comments?

Without giving anything way this is a storing of the collision of several lives. The author spends the first few chapters setting in motion the events that propel the rest of the book. I wasn't sure where he was going at first but once the story took shape it was hard to stop listening.

Great Story

I loved the story!! Full of twist and turns... I must read. I promise you will not be able to stop!

Southern Discomfort

Any additional comments?

Points of Origin is not just one story, but reminiscent of the movie, Love Actually—a complex group of stories that eventually weave an intricate web that takes some concentration to unravel. The book was not what I expected, but once I understood that it was more a mainstream literary tale of a tragic Southern family and their ultimate triumph than a mystery, I was willing to go with the flow and see where it led. As each character’s contribution to the story unfolded, my curiosity heightened about the part they played and I became more and more drawn in. Darden North is a terrific writer who took large amounts of narrative and multiple points of view and made them work.

Charming Southern story, lots of twists and turns!

What did you like best about Points of Origin? What did you like least?

As someone recently transplanted to the south, I enjoyed the novel's "extreme" southerness. At the same time, it was overbearing and the author's voice exaggerated. I enjoyed the first-person narration; the narrrator's voice had nice clarity and rhythm.

Would you recommend Points of Origin to your friends? Why or why not?

Sure! The story was entertaining, engaging, and surprised me a few tirmes.