Rummies

Scott Preston, a successful businessman with an alcohol addiction, finds himself at a rehabilitation clinic in New Mexico after his wife and employer stage an intervention. The clinic becomes the setting where diverse lives intersect as patients confront their substance abuse issues. The story follows the dynamics between patients from different backgrounds as they navigate the challenges of recovery and face their personal demons. Through group therapy sessions, personal interactions, and moments of crisis, their individual stories emerge and become intertwined. At its core, Rummies explores themes of addiction, redemption, and human connection while examining how societal pressures and personal trauma contribute to substance abuse. The New Mexico setting serves as both refuge and crucible for characters seeking transformation.

The book receives limited attention and has few public reviews available online. Most readers find it less engaging than Benchley's other works like Jaws and Beast. Readers note the authentic portrayal of alcoholism and recovery, with details that feel drawn from real experience. Some appreciate the thriller elements woven into the recovery story. Multiple reviews mention the fast pace and quick read time. Common criticisms include underdeveloped characters, predictable plot twists, and an unsatisfying ending. Several readers felt the story tried to combine too many elements - addiction recovery, crime thriller, and social commentary - without fully succeeding at any of them. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.2/5 (37 ratings, 3 reviews) Amazon: 3.3/5 (6 ratings, 2 reviews) "Not his best work but a decent beach read" - Goodreads reviewer "The addiction parts ring true but the thriller aspects fall flat" - Amazon reviewer

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🦈 Peter Benchley is best known for writing "Jaws" (1974), which Steven Spielberg adapted into one of the most successful films of all time. 🌊 Before writing novels, Benchley worked as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson and as a journalist for The Washington Post. 📚 "Rummies" (1989) marked a significant departure from Benchley's usual ocean-themed works, demonstrating his versatility as an author. 🏥 The book's New Mexico setting was inspired by actual rehabilitation facilities in the Southwest, where the isolated desert environment was considered therapeutic for recovery. 🎯 After finding success with "Jaws," Benchley became an outspoken ocean conservationist, working to protect the sharks he had previously demonized in his most famous work.