PRAISE FOR RANDY & RON & CINDI & ZEKE
Book Review: Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke
Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke follows teens who become involved in a murder mystery and is set in a 1950s small town where murder is not a normal part of the community’s experiences.
Randy grew up in San Francisco and received early lessons on the importance of honesty. Mostly. In 1953, the family moves to Oswego, to a home on a lake. Trouble follows him as circumstance brings Randy and his friends to confront a death which may be either an accident or deliberate.
Keith Thye creates a compelling story that will appeal to mature teens into adult circles. Its coming-of-age saga marries a story of evolving friendship with an investigative piece that features a death by drowning and its impact on various local lives.
As an interconnected trio of perps considers their influences on the outcome of the fatal evening and face constant fears of discovery, the teens consider murder motives, foster relationships beyond one another, and find the event haunting their footsteps as time passes and nothing is definitively resolved.
As the influence of young Charles Manson evolves, readers receive a fine fictional story based on Manson’s history. The career criminal changes the teens’ lives forever, his influence reaching into Oswego’s culture and their own evolution.
Thye is especially adept at probing how the unsolved circumstances of a past death serve as the impetus for all kinds of changes in the lives of perps, bystanders, and victims alike.
As his story evolves, far more than the four kids are profiled in an involving story of one murder that portends others.
The result is a saga that examines each of the teens’ changing lives and the influence of a single event that changes their futures.
Thye’s ability to weave facts about Manson’s involvements and ‘family’ into these lives creates a realistic, involving murder mystery that moves well beyond a singular whodunit and into the foundations of what makes or breaks individuals and social norms.
Those who readily recall Manson’s reign of terror and activities will find this fictional survey of a night’s murder to be thoroughly engrossing. Libraries strong in murder mystery and true crime history books will find the fictional representation of Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke thought-provoking, made all the more powerful for its connections to the real world.
– D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke follows teens who become involved in a murder mystery and is set in a 1950s small town where murder is not a normal part of the community’s experiences.
Randy grew up in San Francisco and received early lessons on the importance of honesty. Mostly. In 1953, the family moves to Oswego, to a home on a lake. Trouble follows him as circumstance brings Randy and his friends to confront a death which may be either an accident or deliberate.
Keith Thye creates a compelling story that will appeal to mature teens into adult circles. Its coming-of-age saga marries a story of evolving friendship with an investigative piece that features a death by drowning and its impact on various local lives.
As an interconnected trio of perps considers their influences on the outcome of the fatal evening and face constant fears of discovery, the teens consider murder motives, foster relationships beyond one another, and find the event haunting their footsteps as time passes and nothing is definitively resolved.
As the influence of young Charles Manson evolves, readers receive a fine fictional story based on Manson’s history. The career criminal changes the teens’ lives forever, his influence reaching into Oswego’s culture and their own evolution.
Thye is especially adept at probing how the unsolved circumstances of a past death serve as the impetus for all kinds of changes in the lives of perps, bystanders, and victims alike.
As his story evolves, far more than the four kids are profiled in an involving story of one murder that portends others.
The result is a saga that examines each of the teens’ changing lives and the influence of a single event that changes their futures.
Thye’s ability to weave facts about Manson’s involvements and ‘family’ into these lives creates a realistic, involving murder mystery that moves well beyond a singular whodunit and into the foundations of what makes or breaks individuals and social norms.
Those who readily recall Manson’s reign of terror and activities will find this fictional survey of a night’s murder to be thoroughly engrossing. Libraries strong in murder mystery and true crime history books will find the fictional representation of Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke thought-provoking, made all the more powerful for its connections to the real world.
– D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Book Review: Randy & Ron & Cindi & Zeke
The thrills, the chills, the mystery – all of it is here – and the author has done an excellent job piecing the plotline together. Enough so that I guarantee the reader will not be able to put it down once they begin. The author has done a brilliant job drawing readers into this tale by providing a perfect locale, great characters with interesting backstories, and a dog that everyone would just love to have in their own backyard.
Read more here...
– Amy Lignor / Feathered Quill / February 21, 2022
The thrills, the chills, the mystery – all of it is here – and the author has done an excellent job piecing the plotline together. Enough so that I guarantee the reader will not be able to put it down once they begin. The author has done a brilliant job drawing readers into this tale by providing a perfect locale, great characters with interesting backstories, and a dog that everyone would just love to have in their own backyard.
Read more here...
– Amy Lignor / Feathered Quill / February 21, 2022
keith Thye live on portland’s KATU2
Praise for keith Thye’s rusty trilogy
Book Review: Book Three of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
Readers should be prepared to enjoy these forays into Rusty’s psyche. If this were a murder mystery alone, the depth likely wouldn’t be nearly as satisfyingly well-detailed. From Rusty’s interactions with small-town folk and beau Jan to a series of ‘ridiculous things’ that keep thwarting his desire to work both within and outside the system, Keith Thye’s final story about Rusty is replete with many of the satisfying approaches of his previous books.
Readers come away from these events not with the usual whodunit focus, but with a greater sense of Rusty’s evolving place in his community, and his vision for a revised future. These elements drive a tale that is unusual and compelling for its focus on elements beyond an event that threatens everything Rusty aims for.
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is recommended for suspense and novel readers who want more than a formula approach, but a walk through the fine building of a life with all its influences, including the intrigue and nuances that threaten to change the nature of Rusty’s choices.
– Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Book Review: Book Three of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is a work of fiction in the crime thriller genre and includes some scenes of sex as well as graphic violence. It was penned by author Keith Thye and is the third book in the Rusty Kenneficke trilogy. The book follows three characters: the titular Rusty Kenneficke who is about to be framed for a murder he didn’t commit, and unsavory business owners Barry Marcini and Lindsey Fisher who are in the process of growing their portfolio of seedy enterprises to include a casino. As the high stakes world of Barry and Lindsey becomes entangled with Rusty’s quiet life, all three find themselves pulled deeper into the darker side of the world.
Author Keith Thye has crafted a superb work of realistic, stylish, and amusing slice of life fiction which completes Rusty’s trilogy of tales with a bang. One of the things which I found most striking about this final work was the balance of humor, irony, and hijinks, set against the real emotions of our hero almost getting everything he wants, with the very real threat of it being stolen away. This moves the plot at a breakneck pace with some fantastic twists and timing, but it also allows us to see the full range of drama and feel the tension as we travel with Rusty to race for the truth. The intertwined plotlines are handled exceedingly well to bring about a really satisfying and atmospheric read, with a keen eye for detail to boot. Overall, I would certainly recommend Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter for fans who have been following this excellent series so far.
– K.C. Finn, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
Book Review: Book Three of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter by Keith Thye is a crime thriller for an adult audience. It’s the third installment of Rusty Kenneficke’s trilogy, which ties up the details in the first and second books. Rusty, an author, was experiencing “writer’s block” with his latest book. He sold up everything he owned, bought a motor home, and drove across the country. He had the misfortune of sharing his trailer space with Boomer Laughlin, a notorious thief on the run who pilfered Rusty’s property. They got into an alteration, which led to threats and counter-threats between the two men for a couple of years. One day, something terrible happened to Boomer, and it implicated Rusty. With all the evidence pointing at him and his alibi being very weak, how will he exonerate himself?
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is a book I enjoyed reading because of the documentation of events in real-time. It felt like I was reading a memoir instead of a fictional novel. The meticulous character development is another aspect that Keith Thye excelled at because I came to love some characters that I initially disliked. For instance, by the end of the book, Lindsey Fisher was my favorite and strongest character. She went from clueless to helpless, and then smart enough to come out on top of the whole situation. I enjoyed the dialogues, as they were engaging with palpable depths. The stylistic method of writing used in this book by Keith was genius, (Chester had me hooked). Rusty’s life journey had me engrossed, and I hope it gets adapted into a movie.
– Jennifer Ibiam, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
Book Review: Books One and Two of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
What goes on? Reviewing the first and second books of a trilogy? Blame it on Covid-19. People have been cooped up due to the coronavirus, and book sales have been doing well. I’m just notifying you readers that two entertaining novels are now on the market, The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke, published in 2019, and the second The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke, this year.
Read more here...
– Clement Salvadori / Rider Magazine / July 16, 2020
“The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke is the second book in the series and continues the story of a man who survives a terrible year in 1979 and moves into happiness for a while. Now a legal threat could change everything he's struggled to build since.
Revenge, retribution, and Boomer’s inability to let Rusty move into a better life after the disaster mark a story that, like its predecessor, is replete with growth stories about an evolving man, his motorcycle business, and his life.
The tale opens with a threatening anonymous note from a sender who obviously knows about both Rusty’s birthday and his past, then takes a quick turn back to 1979, the origin of events that have returned to haunt him today. As chapters move through the 1980s and into the 90s, following Rusty and Boomer’s concurrent evolution, readers are treated to another road trip through time and place that focuses on friend Boomer’s scams, woman problems, and Rusty's place in that world.
Keith Thye writes with a seasoned hand that expands upon details from Book 1, adding an extra dimension of interpersonal relationships that explore the growth processes of both men.
His scenarios are realistic, absorbing, and compelling as money turns heads, changes minds, and causes shifts in values and ethical behaviors.
Readers expecting another road trip receive a different kind of journey that is as much about Boomer’s life and choices as it is about his intersection with Rusty’s world.
It should be noted that the open-ended conclusion paves the way for Book 3, which will conclude the trilogy. There’s no neat tie-up of angst to an investigation that becomes inconclusive and troubling.
With its astute observations of this process and two very different men whose lives coalesce, The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke is an absorbing story of choices and consequences that leaves readers reflecting long after the realization that arguments can take on dangerous lives of their own.”
– Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Donovan’s Literary Services
“The ending was a genius move from Keith Thye for The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke.”
– Lesley Jones, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“The author’s expertise in storytelling creates both an entertaining read and an eye-opening character study. Don’t hesitate to pick up The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke — you won’t be disappointed.”
– Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“This book is an engaging and entertaining read. Author Keith Thye has written a captivating work in The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke.”
– Deborah Lloyd, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“Keith Thye writes with a seasoned hand — his scenarios are realistic, absorbing and compelling — an absorbing story of choices and consequences that leaves the readers reflecting long after the realization that arguments can take on dangerous lives of their own.”
– Diane Donovan, Mid-West Book Review
“Author Keith Thye has a knack for relating ordinary events in an extrodinary way, which leads us very well into the complex and often tumultuous life of his main character. A page turning life journey where you can’t wait to see what’s next.”
– K. C. Finn, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke, the first book in a trilogy by Author Keith Thye, is a light read and a good introduction to Rusty’s character and his calamitous adventures — readers will want to quickly follow along in this story not only because they’re curious as to what incident will happen next, but to see how Rusty will pull himself out of the predicament, and steadfastly persevere despite all the horrors that befall him. The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is a fun, often ridiculously misadventurous read that will keep you entertained and wondering what will Rusty get himself into next, all the way until the final chapter.” Read more here...
– Lynette Latzko, Reviewer, Feathered Quill
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke isn’t just about a trip gone awry; but about a middle-aged man searching for revised meaning and newfound connections with family and friends. The result is a powerful self-examination that draws readers into the prospect of self-assessment, travel, and the wellspring of inspiration and creativity. . . a comedy about a road trip gone awry: it’s a parable for self-discovery, and is a satisfying beginning to a trilogy covering where life will ultimately lead. Novel readers who like a combination of comedy and thought-provoking reflection about creativity and change will welcome this story for its lively characters and the ironies of a road trip that challenges one man’s set course in life: one which will either make or break his ultimate dreams.”
– Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Donovan's Shelf, Midwest Book Review
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is a light and humorous read – less of a travel story but more about Rusty getting to know himself and the world through a different and broader perspective. . . a fun and at times goofy book about Rusty’s mishaps and adventures. Keith’s engaging and often witty style makes this a good read.”
– Gisela Dixon, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“Thye’s plot is disarming and hilarious, and his characters are finely delineated and real. Reading this book is both an addictive and very pleasant experience indeed. Most highly recommended. Awesome book.”
– Jack Magnus, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“Keith Thye writes with the simplicity and the crispiness of a master, plunging readers into a world that is vividly colored, filled with interesting images. The writing is atmospheric and the plot ingeniously woven to keep the reader wanting to know who the protagonist is and what happens to him next. The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is filled with suspense and humor, and the latter makes this a book that will be impossible for most readers to put down.”
– Ruffina Oserio, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“It is impossible not to commiserate with Rusty, as all readers have likely experienced a period of their lives where nothing seems to go right. . . there are moments of undeniable brilliance and laugh-out-loud scenes.”
– Editor, Self-Publishing Review
“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they feel like leaving everything behind and venturing out into the world. It could be a job that you hate or a recently broken relationship that you want to recover from, a short span of vacation can help put things into perspective. Rusty Kenneficke has been going through a tough time. He recently got divorced and lost almost all of the assets to his wife. The little success that he had found early in his career as a writer had also become a thing of the distant past. His royalties had dried up, and with a serious writer’s block, the idea of a new book was like water in the desert. With the hope of clearing his clouded mind and sorting out his life, Rusty sold everything he had and bought a motor home. He thought that his adventures along the way would ignite the idea of a new book. What he didn’t know was that one book wouldn’t nearly be enough to jot down all that was about to happen to him.” Read more here...
– Reviewer Diksha, OnlineBookClub.org
Readers should be prepared to enjoy these forays into Rusty’s psyche. If this were a murder mystery alone, the depth likely wouldn’t be nearly as satisfyingly well-detailed. From Rusty’s interactions with small-town folk and beau Jan to a series of ‘ridiculous things’ that keep thwarting his desire to work both within and outside the system, Keith Thye’s final story about Rusty is replete with many of the satisfying approaches of his previous books.
Readers come away from these events not with the usual whodunit focus, but with a greater sense of Rusty’s evolving place in his community, and his vision for a revised future. These elements drive a tale that is unusual and compelling for its focus on elements beyond an event that threatens everything Rusty aims for.
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is recommended for suspense and novel readers who want more than a formula approach, but a walk through the fine building of a life with all its influences, including the intrigue and nuances that threaten to change the nature of Rusty’s choices.
– Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Book Review: Book Three of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is a work of fiction in the crime thriller genre and includes some scenes of sex as well as graphic violence. It was penned by author Keith Thye and is the third book in the Rusty Kenneficke trilogy. The book follows three characters: the titular Rusty Kenneficke who is about to be framed for a murder he didn’t commit, and unsavory business owners Barry Marcini and Lindsey Fisher who are in the process of growing their portfolio of seedy enterprises to include a casino. As the high stakes world of Barry and Lindsey becomes entangled with Rusty’s quiet life, all three find themselves pulled deeper into the darker side of the world.
Author Keith Thye has crafted a superb work of realistic, stylish, and amusing slice of life fiction which completes Rusty’s trilogy of tales with a bang. One of the things which I found most striking about this final work was the balance of humor, irony, and hijinks, set against the real emotions of our hero almost getting everything he wants, with the very real threat of it being stolen away. This moves the plot at a breakneck pace with some fantastic twists and timing, but it also allows us to see the full range of drama and feel the tension as we travel with Rusty to race for the truth. The intertwined plotlines are handled exceedingly well to bring about a really satisfying and atmospheric read, with a keen eye for detail to boot. Overall, I would certainly recommend Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter for fans who have been following this excellent series so far.
– K.C. Finn, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
Book Review: Book Three of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter by Keith Thye is a crime thriller for an adult audience. It’s the third installment of Rusty Kenneficke’s trilogy, which ties up the details in the first and second books. Rusty, an author, was experiencing “writer’s block” with his latest book. He sold up everything he owned, bought a motor home, and drove across the country. He had the misfortune of sharing his trailer space with Boomer Laughlin, a notorious thief on the run who pilfered Rusty’s property. They got into an alteration, which led to threats and counter-threats between the two men for a couple of years. One day, something terrible happened to Boomer, and it implicated Rusty. With all the evidence pointing at him and his alibi being very weak, how will he exonerate himself?
Rusty Kenneficke’s 3rd Quarter is a book I enjoyed reading because of the documentation of events in real-time. It felt like I was reading a memoir instead of a fictional novel. The meticulous character development is another aspect that Keith Thye excelled at because I came to love some characters that I initially disliked. For instance, by the end of the book, Lindsey Fisher was my favorite and strongest character. She went from clueless to helpless, and then smart enough to come out on top of the whole situation. I enjoyed the dialogues, as they were engaging with palpable depths. The stylistic method of writing used in this book by Keith was genius, (Chester had me hooked). Rusty’s life journey had me engrossed, and I hope it gets adapted into a movie.
– Jennifer Ibiam, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
Book Review: Books One and Two of the Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy
What goes on? Reviewing the first and second books of a trilogy? Blame it on Covid-19. People have been cooped up due to the coronavirus, and book sales have been doing well. I’m just notifying you readers that two entertaining novels are now on the market, The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke, published in 2019, and the second The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke, this year.
Read more here...
– Clement Salvadori / Rider Magazine / July 16, 2020
“The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke is the second book in the series and continues the story of a man who survives a terrible year in 1979 and moves into happiness for a while. Now a legal threat could change everything he's struggled to build since.
Revenge, retribution, and Boomer’s inability to let Rusty move into a better life after the disaster mark a story that, like its predecessor, is replete with growth stories about an evolving man, his motorcycle business, and his life.
The tale opens with a threatening anonymous note from a sender who obviously knows about both Rusty’s birthday and his past, then takes a quick turn back to 1979, the origin of events that have returned to haunt him today. As chapters move through the 1980s and into the 90s, following Rusty and Boomer’s concurrent evolution, readers are treated to another road trip through time and place that focuses on friend Boomer’s scams, woman problems, and Rusty's place in that world.
Keith Thye writes with a seasoned hand that expands upon details from Book 1, adding an extra dimension of interpersonal relationships that explore the growth processes of both men.
His scenarios are realistic, absorbing, and compelling as money turns heads, changes minds, and causes shifts in values and ethical behaviors.
Readers expecting another road trip receive a different kind of journey that is as much about Boomer’s life and choices as it is about his intersection with Rusty’s world.
It should be noted that the open-ended conclusion paves the way for Book 3, which will conclude the trilogy. There’s no neat tie-up of angst to an investigation that becomes inconclusive and troubling.
With its astute observations of this process and two very different men whose lives coalesce, The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke is an absorbing story of choices and consequences that leaves readers reflecting long after the realization that arguments can take on dangerous lives of their own.”
– Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Donovan’s Literary Services
“The ending was a genius move from Keith Thye for The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke.”
– Lesley Jones, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“The author’s expertise in storytelling creates both an entertaining read and an eye-opening character study. Don’t hesitate to pick up The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke — you won’t be disappointed.”
– Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“This book is an engaging and entertaining read. Author Keith Thye has written a captivating work in The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke.”
– Deborah Lloyd, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“Keith Thye writes with a seasoned hand — his scenarios are realistic, absorbing and compelling — an absorbing story of choices and consequences that leaves the readers reflecting long after the realization that arguments can take on dangerous lives of their own.”
– Diane Donovan, Mid-West Book Review
“Author Keith Thye has a knack for relating ordinary events in an extrodinary way, which leads us very well into the complex and often tumultuous life of his main character. A page turning life journey where you can’t wait to see what’s next.”
– K. C. Finn, Reader’s Favorite Reviews
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke, the first book in a trilogy by Author Keith Thye, is a light read and a good introduction to Rusty’s character and his calamitous adventures — readers will want to quickly follow along in this story not only because they’re curious as to what incident will happen next, but to see how Rusty will pull himself out of the predicament, and steadfastly persevere despite all the horrors that befall him. The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is a fun, often ridiculously misadventurous read that will keep you entertained and wondering what will Rusty get himself into next, all the way until the final chapter.” Read more here...
– Lynette Latzko, Reviewer, Feathered Quill
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke isn’t just about a trip gone awry; but about a middle-aged man searching for revised meaning and newfound connections with family and friends. The result is a powerful self-examination that draws readers into the prospect of self-assessment, travel, and the wellspring of inspiration and creativity. . . a comedy about a road trip gone awry: it’s a parable for self-discovery, and is a satisfying beginning to a trilogy covering where life will ultimately lead. Novel readers who like a combination of comedy and thought-provoking reflection about creativity and change will welcome this story for its lively characters and the ironies of a road trip that challenges one man’s set course in life: one which will either make or break his ultimate dreams.”
– Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Donovan's Shelf, Midwest Book Review
“The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is a light and humorous read – less of a travel story but more about Rusty getting to know himself and the world through a different and broader perspective. . . a fun and at times goofy book about Rusty’s mishaps and adventures. Keith’s engaging and often witty style makes this a good read.”
– Gisela Dixon, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“Thye’s plot is disarming and hilarious, and his characters are finely delineated and real. Reading this book is both an addictive and very pleasant experience indeed. Most highly recommended. Awesome book.”
– Jack Magnus, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“Keith Thye writes with the simplicity and the crispiness of a master, plunging readers into a world that is vividly colored, filled with interesting images. The writing is atmospheric and the plot ingeniously woven to keep the reader wanting to know who the protagonist is and what happens to him next. The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke is filled with suspense and humor, and the latter makes this a book that will be impossible for most readers to put down.”
– Ruffina Oserio, Readers Favorite Reviews, 5 Stars
“It is impossible not to commiserate with Rusty, as all readers have likely experienced a period of their lives where nothing seems to go right. . . there are moments of undeniable brilliance and laugh-out-loud scenes.”
– Editor, Self-Publishing Review
“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they feel like leaving everything behind and venturing out into the world. It could be a job that you hate or a recently broken relationship that you want to recover from, a short span of vacation can help put things into perspective. Rusty Kenneficke has been going through a tough time. He recently got divorced and lost almost all of the assets to his wife. The little success that he had found early in his career as a writer had also become a thing of the distant past. His royalties had dried up, and with a serious writer’s block, the idea of a new book was like water in the desert. With the hope of clearing his clouded mind and sorting out his life, Rusty sold everything he had and bought a motor home. He thought that his adventures along the way would ignite the idea of a new book. What he didn’t know was that one book wouldn’t nearly be enough to jot down all that was about to happen to him.” Read more here...
– Reviewer Diksha, OnlineBookClub.org
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Praise for keith Thye’s motorcycle books“I was honestly a bit surprised at how hard Moto Raid was to put down. I think it only took me two sittings to finish it. If you’re interested in adventure travel stories (motorized or not!) check this out for a good read.”
– Beth, 3Up Adventures “Thye's writing style is innocent, yet captivating and at times you feel like you're riding alongside of Jack Keurouac on a BMW. Thye captures the people and places, the colors and the textures of the many third world nations he traveled through and how they appeared in the 60s.” – Tom Mehren, Sound Rider, Horizons Unlimited “Drawing it’s title from the Chilean word for “motorcycle ride”, this book like many other travelogues tends to get the reader thinking about the road. While the book may not be a blueprint for your own travels it is a fun and easy read of the type of adventure waiting for you when travel through foreign lands. Thye stays away from the overly philosophical ramblings of other world cyclists, instead giving us a clear view of travel in Central and South America during the early sixties. Of the book, round-the-world rider and author Ted Simon says this, ” What you read between the lines is the incredible joy and satisfaction they experienced riding the Andes and discovering a world few North Americans know.” I couldn’t say it any better.” – Victor Wanchena, MN Motorcycle |
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Book Review: The Whole Story
Two-book set recounting two adventure motorcycle trips, 50 years apart, through Central and South America by Keith Thye. Read more here... – Sandy Cohen / BMW Motorcycle Magazine / Winter 2017 |
Book Review: 50 Years Apart
Northwest buddies take two motorcycle trips to South America.
Read more here...
– Northwest Prime Time / September 1, 2017
Northwest buddies take two motorcycle trips to South America.
Read more here...
– Northwest Prime Time / September 1, 2017
Book Review: In 1963 Keith Thye and buddy Dave set off from Oregon to Chile on a pair of R50 BMWs.
It wasn't until 1999 that the story made it to paper. Now, contemporary recollections of historic overland journeys often go one of two ways: a blow by blow travelogue taken from diary entries and now lacking context, or a wildly over dramatized interpretation of the author’s memories (or fantasies).
Interestingly, MotoRaid manages to be an edited version of the former but written in a manner that does contextualise the whole experience of riding the PanAmerican Highway before it was sealed, or even properly demarcated.
It begins slowly enough and although not a ‘page turner,’ managed to draw me in as the pace quickened. The writing doesn’t metamorphose, but the experiences the lads are having certainly do. The longer they are on the road and the more their funds deplete, the more their attitudes change and thus the more exciting it all becomes.
This is interesting because it is being written 35 years after the event and yet Keith hasn’t tried to sex it all up in hindsight. It’s not a literary masterpiece and there isn’t attempt at adjective overload, but it somehow remains a really good read; an honest recounting of an amazing experience which I was in fact sad to reach the final page of. And what a finish! But I won’t give it away.
It’s adventure riding from way before the term existed and before GPS, Gortex or disc brakes. From a time when the ambassador could get you out of jail and strangers let you walk on the bed of the Panama Canal... It’s great stuff.
– Paddy Tyson / Overland Magazine / August 26, 2017
It wasn't until 1999 that the story made it to paper. Now, contemporary recollections of historic overland journeys often go one of two ways: a blow by blow travelogue taken from diary entries and now lacking context, or a wildly over dramatized interpretation of the author’s memories (or fantasies).
Interestingly, MotoRaid manages to be an edited version of the former but written in a manner that does contextualise the whole experience of riding the PanAmerican Highway before it was sealed, or even properly demarcated.
It begins slowly enough and although not a ‘page turner,’ managed to draw me in as the pace quickened. The writing doesn’t metamorphose, but the experiences the lads are having certainly do. The longer they are on the road and the more their funds deplete, the more their attitudes change and thus the more exciting it all becomes.
This is interesting because it is being written 35 years after the event and yet Keith hasn’t tried to sex it all up in hindsight. It’s not a literary masterpiece and there isn’t attempt at adjective overload, but it somehow remains a really good read; an honest recounting of an amazing experience which I was in fact sad to reach the final page of. And what a finish! But I won’t give it away.
It’s adventure riding from way before the term existed and before GPS, Gortex or disc brakes. From a time when the ambassador could get you out of jail and strangers let you walk on the bed of the Panama Canal... It’s great stuff.
– Paddy Tyson / Overland Magazine / August 26, 2017
Book Review: Ride On: A Tale of Two Journeys
Former Lake Oswego residents relive 16,000 mile motorcycle ride to Pucon, Chile, 50 years after the original trek.
Read more here...
– Sam Stites / Lake Oswego Review / July 21, 2017
Former Lake Oswego residents relive 16,000 mile motorcycle ride to Pucon, Chile, 50 years after the original trek.
Read more here...
– Sam Stites / Lake Oswego Review / July 21, 2017
I just now had a chance to read your Moto Raid II, your adventure to South America 50 years later.
I started late last night, and finished a couple of hours ago. I could not put it down! It was informative, interesting and written in a way that I thought I was right there with all of you. I have visited some of the Central and South American countries you drove through, climbing Machu Picchu, stopping in Cuszo, Lima, Guatemala, etc. it brought back wonderful memories. Yes, quite a courageous adventure you took on, particularly at that point in life!!
– Marlene Collins / July 21, 2017
I started late last night, and finished a couple of hours ago. I could not put it down! It was informative, interesting and written in a way that I thought I was right there with all of you. I have visited some of the Central and South American countries you drove through, climbing Machu Picchu, stopping in Cuszo, Lima, Guatemala, etc. it brought back wonderful memories. Yes, quite a courageous adventure you took on, particularly at that point in life!!
– Marlene Collins / July 21, 2017
Book Review: The Whole Story: An epic tale of two motorcycle trips 50 years apart
I had first heard a wisp of Keith Thye’s story from one of the service guys at my local shop, South Sound Motorcycles, of which Keith is president and his wife Ann is the owner. “Make sure someone important knows where you are. Have you heard Keith Thye’s story?”
Read more here...
– Marcia McGuire / BMW Owners News / June 2017
I had first heard a wisp of Keith Thye’s story from one of the service guys at my local shop, South Sound Motorcycles, of which Keith is president and his wife Ann is the owner. “Make sure someone important knows where you are. Have you heard Keith Thye’s story?”
Read more here...
– Marcia McGuire / BMW Owners News / June 2017
Adventurer of the Week: Ruston man writes books about motorcycle trips to Chile
He rode the Pan American Highway before it was paved. He spent three days in a Peruvian jail. His motorcycle broke down in Mexico. Canned sardines were a regular meal. Keith Thye of Ruston loved the adventure so much, he decided to recreate it 50 years later.
Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article150071602.html
– Craig Hill / The Olympian / May 11, 2017
He rode the Pan American Highway before it was paved. He spent three days in a Peruvian jail. His motorcycle broke down in Mexico. Canned sardines were a regular meal. Keith Thye of Ruston loved the adventure so much, he decided to recreate it 50 years later.
Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article150071602.html
– Craig Hill / The Olympian / May 11, 2017
Book Review: “The Whole Story” “Moto Raid” & “Ride On” (Moto Raid II) by Keith Thye
Same author, same trip, two very different books. That’s because Keith Thye took one trip in 1963, the other in 2013. They both begin on the West Coast, and they both end up at the tip of South America.
Back in January of 1962 Thye was in college, caught the travel bug, and decided he wanted to ride a motorcycle down to Chile, no mean feat in those years. He convinced a friend, Dave, to come along with him, so they both bought used BMW R50 models, spending the rest of the year earning money and preparing to take the trip. In January of 1963 they took off from Lake Oswego, Oregon, with a temperature of 25 degrees. And some minimalist camping gear; the photos of their decrepit pup tent show what these boys lived in. Their destination was Pucon, Chile, Lake Oswego’s sister city.
A couple of months later they were knocking at a cafe door at 11,300 feet in Costa Rica—on a very bad dirt road, probably the worst stretch of the Pan-American Highway in Central America. Thye describes the road as “similar to driving along the bottom of a swift creek, without the water. Already they had been subjected to sickness, accidents, breakdowns, and genially corrupt border guards. They get to Panama and find a ship that will take them to Buenaventura in Columbia.
Then things got interesting. More bad roads, bad weather, motorcycle problems—but these are two young men having the time of their lives. And did they look for the easy roads? Nope, they headed for the more interesting, like Peru’s infamous Central Highway in the Andes, much of it a one-lane dirt track. “Leaving Ayacucho, we covered 45 miles in just under five hours.” Later they got lost in the wasteland where the Peruvian, Bolivian, Chilean borders come together and were arrested as drug smugglers.
They were greeted warmly in Pucon, but were pretty darned broke. Fortunately they had prepaid tickets to get back to the US, leaving the Beemers to be shipped later. Six months after they left, they were back in Oregon. And 25 years later Thye decided to write a book about their trip; Moto Raid was originally published in 1990. He and his wife bought a BMW dealership and 20 years later he starts thinking about repeating his 1963 trip. His old riding buddy, Dave, is up for it, too. As are a few friends, who figure to do the 16,000-mile trip in 100 days.
Six people on six modern Beemers meet up in San Diego in January 2013, and head south, though not on the same roads as 50 years before. Familiarity comes at the Guatemalan border, with less corruption and far more bureaucracy. No camping for these upscale folk, as they are staying in nice hotels. And have GPS to guide them. A new restaurant is up high on the Costa Rican Pan-Am, as the old one had burnt down…and the road is now well-paved.
From Panama they fly themselves and their bikes into Bogata, Columbia, where customs keeps them held up for half a day. Traffic has increased greatly, and Latin drivers are not known for caring about the rules of the road. Minor accidents occur, nothing major. South of Lima, Peru, five of them decide to stay on the coastal Pan-Am Highway, while one heads off on the old Central Highway, which he describes as “three days in hell.” In Bolivia they visit places Thye had not been to 50 years before, but the goal was again Pucon—now grown into a major tourist destination with more than 100 hotels. This time they are going to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to fly home. Eight days before departure Dave loses to a truck while in a traffic circle, and spends several days in a hospital, the only major injury of the two trips. But all fly home, and bikes are crated and follow. Good fun, good reading, and might convince a few people to head south. The two-book set, in a sleeve, is $24.95 plus shipping and handling from keithsrides.com.
– Clement Salvadori / Rider Magazine / April 7, 2017
Same author, same trip, two very different books. That’s because Keith Thye took one trip in 1963, the other in 2013. They both begin on the West Coast, and they both end up at the tip of South America.
Back in January of 1962 Thye was in college, caught the travel bug, and decided he wanted to ride a motorcycle down to Chile, no mean feat in those years. He convinced a friend, Dave, to come along with him, so they both bought used BMW R50 models, spending the rest of the year earning money and preparing to take the trip. In January of 1963 they took off from Lake Oswego, Oregon, with a temperature of 25 degrees. And some minimalist camping gear; the photos of their decrepit pup tent show what these boys lived in. Their destination was Pucon, Chile, Lake Oswego’s sister city.
A couple of months later they were knocking at a cafe door at 11,300 feet in Costa Rica—on a very bad dirt road, probably the worst stretch of the Pan-American Highway in Central America. Thye describes the road as “similar to driving along the bottom of a swift creek, without the water. Already they had been subjected to sickness, accidents, breakdowns, and genially corrupt border guards. They get to Panama and find a ship that will take them to Buenaventura in Columbia.
Then things got interesting. More bad roads, bad weather, motorcycle problems—but these are two young men having the time of their lives. And did they look for the easy roads? Nope, they headed for the more interesting, like Peru’s infamous Central Highway in the Andes, much of it a one-lane dirt track. “Leaving Ayacucho, we covered 45 miles in just under five hours.” Later they got lost in the wasteland where the Peruvian, Bolivian, Chilean borders come together and were arrested as drug smugglers.
They were greeted warmly in Pucon, but were pretty darned broke. Fortunately they had prepaid tickets to get back to the US, leaving the Beemers to be shipped later. Six months after they left, they were back in Oregon. And 25 years later Thye decided to write a book about their trip; Moto Raid was originally published in 1990. He and his wife bought a BMW dealership and 20 years later he starts thinking about repeating his 1963 trip. His old riding buddy, Dave, is up for it, too. As are a few friends, who figure to do the 16,000-mile trip in 100 days.
Six people on six modern Beemers meet up in San Diego in January 2013, and head south, though not on the same roads as 50 years before. Familiarity comes at the Guatemalan border, with less corruption and far more bureaucracy. No camping for these upscale folk, as they are staying in nice hotels. And have GPS to guide them. A new restaurant is up high on the Costa Rican Pan-Am, as the old one had burnt down…and the road is now well-paved.
From Panama they fly themselves and their bikes into Bogata, Columbia, where customs keeps them held up for half a day. Traffic has increased greatly, and Latin drivers are not known for caring about the rules of the road. Minor accidents occur, nothing major. South of Lima, Peru, five of them decide to stay on the coastal Pan-Am Highway, while one heads off on the old Central Highway, which he describes as “three days in hell.” In Bolivia they visit places Thye had not been to 50 years before, but the goal was again Pucon—now grown into a major tourist destination with more than 100 hotels. This time they are going to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to fly home. Eight days before departure Dave loses to a truck while in a traffic circle, and spends several days in a hospital, the only major injury of the two trips. But all fly home, and bikes are crated and follow. Good fun, good reading, and might convince a few people to head south. The two-book set, in a sleeve, is $24.95 plus shipping and handling from keithsrides.com.
– Clement Salvadori / Rider Magazine / April 7, 2017
The Whole Story - Moto Raid I & II
PNW rider, Keith Thye repeats his 1963 Trans-Americas ride and shares both in a new collection
Prior to the 1970's very few Americans had ever ridden motorcycles from the Pacific Northwest, through Central and South America. In fact, Keith Thye and his riding partner Dave Yaden were some of the first fully documented riders to do so, riding 1958 BMW's from Portland Oregon to Pucon Chile.
This was four decades ahead of the coined term 'adventure-riding'. There was no Touratec, Klim, Aerostich, Jet Boil or Redverz. Instead you put on your blue jeans and leather jacket and did the best you could to get 200 miles a day across unmaintained dirt roads. To sum it all up, Thye released his first book, Moto Raid at the turn of the century. The book featured black and white photos alongside his well-documented diary and thoughts of the ride. At the time of the books release, Thye put together a well laid out slide-show presentation and shared it several times with customers of his wife's Ride West BMW shop and the local Washington State BMW Riders club.
As 2013 approached, Thye started thinking about what it might be like to relive the adventure and enlisted five other riders, including Yaden to partake on a replay of the journey. After months of preparation, the sextet departed Seattle and headed south. Throughout, Thye once again photographed and documented the journey. Upon returning home, store customers were once again treated to a slide show about the reprisal ride, with Thye sharing photos from 50 years ago, alongside current shots in a sort of A/B process.
But he wasn't done yet. In 2016, he hatched a plan to release a new book alongside the original book. The new book would include detailed notes and all color images from the 2013 ride and the old book would be rebuilt from the ground up with all color imagery as well. The result - 'The Whole Story' is a collection of the two books, 300 days of adventure touring spread between fifty years.
Whether you're planning a multi-country trip on your motorcycle, or just like to live vicariously through other people's adventures, The Whole Story provides enlightening facts of what it was like to travel by motorcycle 50 years ago, and now.
Several differences noted are that most of the roads today are paved, big towns have gotten bigger and communication happens a lot faster now.
But there are similarities that can't be denied as well. Most small towns have stayed small and are impoverished today as they were then; some roads still deteriorate to near impassable, and there's still plenty of monkey-business at play during border crossings and shipping of bikes in third world countries.
Even if you own a copy of the original Moto Raid, you owe it to yourself to buy the set so you can upgrade to color and get the rest of the story.
Look for appearances from Thye around the US this year, most notably during the BMW MOA Rally in Salt Lake City this July.
– Sound Rider! / March 17, 2017
PNW rider, Keith Thye repeats his 1963 Trans-Americas ride and shares both in a new collection
Prior to the 1970's very few Americans had ever ridden motorcycles from the Pacific Northwest, through Central and South America. In fact, Keith Thye and his riding partner Dave Yaden were some of the first fully documented riders to do so, riding 1958 BMW's from Portland Oregon to Pucon Chile.
This was four decades ahead of the coined term 'adventure-riding'. There was no Touratec, Klim, Aerostich, Jet Boil or Redverz. Instead you put on your blue jeans and leather jacket and did the best you could to get 200 miles a day across unmaintained dirt roads. To sum it all up, Thye released his first book, Moto Raid at the turn of the century. The book featured black and white photos alongside his well-documented diary and thoughts of the ride. At the time of the books release, Thye put together a well laid out slide-show presentation and shared it several times with customers of his wife's Ride West BMW shop and the local Washington State BMW Riders club.
As 2013 approached, Thye started thinking about what it might be like to relive the adventure and enlisted five other riders, including Yaden to partake on a replay of the journey. After months of preparation, the sextet departed Seattle and headed south. Throughout, Thye once again photographed and documented the journey. Upon returning home, store customers were once again treated to a slide show about the reprisal ride, with Thye sharing photos from 50 years ago, alongside current shots in a sort of A/B process.
But he wasn't done yet. In 2016, he hatched a plan to release a new book alongside the original book. The new book would include detailed notes and all color images from the 2013 ride and the old book would be rebuilt from the ground up with all color imagery as well. The result - 'The Whole Story' is a collection of the two books, 300 days of adventure touring spread between fifty years.
Whether you're planning a multi-country trip on your motorcycle, or just like to live vicariously through other people's adventures, The Whole Story provides enlightening facts of what it was like to travel by motorcycle 50 years ago, and now.
Several differences noted are that most of the roads today are paved, big towns have gotten bigger and communication happens a lot faster now.
But there are similarities that can't be denied as well. Most small towns have stayed small and are impoverished today as they were then; some roads still deteriorate to near impassable, and there's still plenty of monkey-business at play during border crossings and shipping of bikes in third world countries.
Even if you own a copy of the original Moto Raid, you owe it to yourself to buy the set so you can upgrade to color and get the rest of the story.
Look for appearances from Thye around the US this year, most notably during the BMW MOA Rally in Salt Lake City this July.
– Sound Rider! / March 17, 2017