Literary Reviews of Montecito:

  • Kirkus Reviews — “Critically Recommended"

    "Cox sensitively and intelligently explores Hollis’ vulnerabilities, and out of that perceptive psychological profile spins a gripping crime drama. This is an engrossing story, both thoughtful and exciting. A marvelously entertaining suspense tale."

  • Booklife Reviews

    “Alive with realistic details, from the lifestyles of the mega-rich down to the business of stocks and free-trade zones, Montecito nudges readers to feel its protagonists’s predicament—and dream along with Hollis of what it’d be like to have the billionaire lifestyle. But Cox spurs readers throughout to wonder at the cost of it all, especially as Hollis admits that there’s “no ointment, gauze, or bandage that could shelter the devastation in my soul.” To Hollis’s credit, the answers aren’t straightforward.”

  • Independent Book Review

    “A compelling narrator and equally fascinating setting serve as a vehicle for this riveting tale. There’s no rush to the storytelling on these pages. Both characters and situations expand little by little until the reader can finally see the whole situation. It’s an immensely satisfying way to read. Montecito is like an exquisite little machine where all the moving parts slot impeccably together … Anyone interested in a compelling character-driven mystery will devour this story. It’s unlike any crime novel I’ve read before but is no less gripping for it. This is an author I’ll definitely be looking out for again.”

  • San Francisco Book Review — 4.5 out of 5 Stars

    “With the beautiful backdrop set in Montecito, readers will love reading this story about a regular family making ends meet in a wealthy community. With forty-three-dollar coffee bills, ornate pizza ovens in backyards, freely pouring wine, and the beach a stone's throw from their doorstep, the people of Montecito are living large. Montecito will appeal to readers who enjoy a fantastic, nail-biting entrepreneurial scandal with twists and turns at every corner.”

  • Midwest Book Review

    “Michael Cox showcases the immense promise of this smooth, professional, and highly competent writer. Readers are fully immersed in life most can only imagine, experiencing unimaginable highs and hellish lows. The realistic details, down to the most mundane yet hypnotic minutiae, bring this world beyond the fast lane to life in a truly gripping way.”

Reader Reviews of Montecito:

  • “Montecito, CA: home to billionaires, royalty, golden rays, and lapping waves. Oh, and con artists, security fraudsters, and the occasional Eastern European gangster. All of it comes together seamlessly in this suspenseful, witty, rip-roaring read. First rate entertainment.”

    — Paul Levine, #1 Bestselling Author of Early Grave(available at Amazon.com)

  • "How about distracting ourselves with some fun summer reading that contains bad stuff that is written as fiction; but is it? Montecito is a story that could only be written in Montecito!"

    — Gwyn Lurie, CEO and Executive Editor of the Montecito Journal Media Group, July 7, 2022

  • “Montecito, first time novelist Michael Cox's maiden effort, is a first-classed read by a smooth, professional, highly competent, and exciting writer of immense promise ... Five stars - and then some."”

    — Hugo N. Gerstl, author of more than fifteen novels including The Motherland Saga: The Epic Novel of Turkey, as published in the Montecito Journal, August 9, 2022

  • “Loved, loved, loved your story! Every Thursday we called 'periodical day' and went out to get a Montecito paper. Some days I would read your story right away, and then some days I would savor your story and wait till Friday or Saturday to read it. I would call your serialized novel a hit!"”

    — Lindsey Berrett, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 9, 2023

  • "I feel like I have lost a friend! Such a great character. I have so enjoyed your novel ... and was actually sad when I found it to be the last chapter."

    — C. Lee Kirch, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 9, 2023

  • "After reading the first couple of chapters of your book, I was HOOKED! I spend many hours a day reading and so looked forward to your chapters. Pure entertainment!"

    — Pearl Bloom, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "Just finished your delightful, original, captivating novel Montecito. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing it and to the MJ for serializing it in print. "

    — Sasha Leiterman, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "This serial story was outstanding!" Perhaps the best new offering for the Journal. Each week promised a captivating read of a very well-written mystery with the added enjoyment of local interest. Best to Michael on his writing career!"

    — Kristen Salontay, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "Thank you for using your valuable ink and newsprint over the last months to delight us with the twists and turns of the novel Montecito, and thank you to the author, Michale Cox, for making it available!"

    — David Taylor, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 9, 2023

  • "Montecito Journal made a good decision in printing the serialized version. It motivated me to pick up the MJ for months. Best of luck to you for getting your book version published."

    — Katey O’Neill, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 9, 2023

  • "Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I enjoyed reading your novel Montecito. every week in the MJ. Being a lifelong resident, I feel you did an excellent job capturing the true flavor of S.B. and Montecito. I wish you luck in getting your novels published because I would definitely buy them."

    — Michael Hamilton, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 9, 2023

  • "For the past few months, I eagerly awaited the arrival of Thursday's MJ to read Michael's latest chapters. I hope we can hear more from him in the future."

    — Tal Avitzur, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Michael's book. Thank you for giving it a platform. He is quite the story-teller! I awaited with anticipation his new chapters each week."

    — Betsy Friedl, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "I am deeply sad that Michael Cox's novel, Montecito ... has concluded. I could hardly wait for each new installment and am so grateful to you for making it possible for this wonderful work to be shared with the world!"

    — Cathy Randall, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

  • "I looked forward to reading [Montecito] every week, making it my "reward" for reading the paper cover to cover. Such fun reading about places I've discovered during my nine years in Santa Barbara ... Hope this success will inspire you to continue."

    — Kim Holmquist, as published in the Montecito Journal’s “letters to the editor” on February 16, 2023

Links:

My interview with the Monterey Herald