A Promise Not Kept
A Promise Not Kept by Jim Turner, published by Trafford Publishing in 2008, is a novel that follows the life of Harry Adkins, a self-declared “cockeyed optimist.” Adkins, an overweight and heavy-drinking international businessman in his forties, faces a turning point when he participates in the Healthy Hearts Live Longer study, which predicts the exact day of his death. As he navigates his tumultuous life, including a strained marriage and a dangerous threat from a convicted murderer seeking revenge, Adkins embarks on a journey of self-improvement and reflection.
Readers will find a blend of action, adventure, and suspense as Adkins confronts his past and the looming danger from Johnnie Allegro, who has vowed to avenge his death penalty sentence. The narrative unfolds with a mix of humor and tension, culminating on the predicted day of Adkins’ death, where he discovers he has misremembered the date. This twist leads to a moment of triumph and a deeper exploration of optimism in the face of adversity. With 328 pages, this edition presents a witty and engaging story that invites readers to root for Adkins as he seeks a long and fulfilling life.
Official synopsis Publisher
Meet Harry Adkins, a self-declared “cockeyed optimist.” Adkins believes he can beat any odds. Overweight, heavy drinking, a philandering international businessman in his forties with a long suffering wife when the story opens, he might have come to the end of that road of optimism. Friend and physician, Dr. Alex Quick-Campbell, offers an escape route. He signs up for the Healthy Hearts Live Longer study. Following a year of training and monitoring, H2 L2 predicts the precise day of the patient’s death.
A threat lurks in the background. Convicted murderer, Johnnie Allegro, has vowed to avenge his death penalty sentence by going after Adkins, the jury foreman.
On the day a slimmer and healthier Adkins receives the predicted date of his death, Adkins decides to finish cleaning up his life. He sends a fax to Naomi, his Japanese business partner: their long-standing affair is over.
Flash forward ten years. Today is the predicted day of Adkins’ death. He has misremembered the day by one, however, and wakes up feeling victorious, his cockeyed optimism vindicated. He’s alive! Healthy! Rich! Life is good! But Allegro has escaped from jail.
There’s a surprise in store. It’s well worth the anticipation. There’s a full meal of life in this witty novel. In the end, we root for cockeyed optimism to prevail: we want to wish Adkins a long and happy life.
Scott Driscoll, M.F.A., award winning Seattle Freelance writer
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