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Doc's Codicil

Doc's Codicil

by Gary F Jones
Fiction - Humor/Comedy
344 Pages
Reviewed on 10/29/2015
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Doc’s Codicil by Gary F Jones is a humorous tale of inheritance. Doc has died and all the family are called together to see what they inherited, only to find that Doc has added a codicil to his will. If they want the money, they have to work for it, and they must do that by working out what the codicil actually means – “Take Doofus Squirrel Fishing.” The family must pull together on this one and work as a team if they want to inherit; and the only way they can work out what Doc meant is to read the story he wrote of what happened one Christmas season many years before. They must talk to his friends, they must go through his paperwork, and they must solve all the clues that lead to the answer. The inheritance may not be what it appears at first glance though, and sometimes people just need to learn a lesson they didn’t know they needed to be taught.

Doc’s Codicil by Gary F Jones is one of those laugh a minute books. It is a wonderfully written tale with plenty of clues that even the reader can jinx in trying to solve the mystery. It is actually in two parts, both intertwining neatly. The first part is, of course, the codicil and the hoops that the family has to jump through to work it out, and the second is Doc’s memoirs of that Christmas when he met Doofus. I won’t say any more because it will spoil the plot for other readers but Doofus is the central character to all of this. I thought this was a cleverly written tale, full of humor and some life stories that anyone can learn from; stories of insecurity, stories of not having any courage, of realizing that failure is always an option. Thoroughly enjoyable read, one that would suit any age group from young adult upwards.

Gary F Jones

Reviews from NetGalley and other sources:

Irene McIntosh (Bookseller) on NetGalley, July 1, 2015
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Full Text: “Really enjoyed this book. It has been a very long time since an author has made me laugh out loud. A life lesson engagingly told. Take more time for squirrel fishing, deep water marine especially!”
Additional Questions:
Would you suggest your store carry this title? Yes
Are you likely to handsell this title? Yes
Would you recommend this title for the Indie Next List? (US only) Yes

Carolyn McVicker-Wilson (Reviewer) on NetGalley, Aug 24, 2015
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text: “This book is quite quirky and very much of the love it or hate it school of writing. I loved it and was pleased to find a plot that was out of the ordinary.”
Additional Questions:
Are you reviewing this title for a publication? No
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes

Christine DeSmet, mystery author, faculty associate and director, Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat, University of Wisconsin-Madison (July 7, 2015).
Rating: not applicable
Full Text: “Doc’s Codicil by Gary F. Jones is entertaining, wise, and filled with touches of magical realism. I enjoyed following Doc—a dairy veterinarian—on his rounds with his unlikely guardian angel called Doofus. Doc’s family troubles and the authentic details of small-town life are charming and keep the plot moving at a good pace. And what the animals do (and think!) during the local Christmas Nativity play is downright hilarious. If you enjoyed movies where actor Jimmy Stewart conversed with a tall rabbit named Harvey and the angel Clarence in his search for wisdom, you’ll “get” this imaginative debut novel.”

Sarah Prueter (Librarian) on NetGalley (October 5, 2015)
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text: Rather a unique concept for plot development. I liked it!
Additional Questions:
Is your library likely to purchase this title? Yes
Will you recommend this title through Readers’ Advisory, book clubs, events, etc? Yes

Carol Wichman (Bookseller) on NetGalley (July 17, 2015)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Full Text: “Humor wa great. Family search for clues to their inheritance leads to learn their mom and fathers wish for them.”
Additional Questions:
Would you suggest your store carry this title? Yes
Are you likely to handsell this title? No
Would you recommend this title for the Indie Next List? (US only) Yes

Paul Franco (Reviewer) on NetGalley, August 5, 2015
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Full Text: “This is one of those stories where the recently deceased leaves the descendants some puzzles to solve before they can receive the inheritance goodies. There’s the good girl, the guy who thinks it’s a waste of time, and other stock characters, though their interactions and thought processes as they try to solve the puzzles are stimulating enough. But most of the story is taken up by two historical threads, which are described in a book that is where the characters most look for clues. One concerns the dead man’s life as a veterinarian, while the other involves a Christmas pageant where everything that can go wrong does.
I will say that I learned far too much about veterinary medicine than could possibly be good for me. The humor sneaks up on you, especially with the character—if you can call him that—of Doofus (drawn faithfully and hilariously on the cover), although the crown of best individual goes to Gladys the camel. Though it seems to meander at times, in the end it does lead exactly to where the inheritance hunters need to go, if they can figure it out.
“If nothing else, whenever I need to get away from someone I can’t stand, I can say that I’m taking Doofus squirrel fishing. . .”
Additional Questions:
Are you reviewing this title for a publication? No
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes

Susan Rae (Educator) on NetGalley Review, 22Aug 2015
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Full Text: “Great book with interesting storyline. Lots of humour and I am left with a life long memory of Doofus going squirrel fishing!! A very enjoyable read.”
Additional Questions:
Will you recommend that your students read or purchase this title? Yes

Tracy Shephard (Reviewer) on NetGalley (September 2, 2015)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Additional Questions:
Are you reviewing this title for a publication? Yes
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes


Sophie French (Reviewer) on NetGalley (July 12, 2015)
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Additional Questions:
Are you reviewing this title for a publication? Yes
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes