Crescent Beach: The Crime Fiction Book where Murder, Secrets, and Lies Intersect
A headbanging murder, secrets, and lies meet in Crescent Beach, a suspenseful crime fiction book by John Hatch that keeps the reader glued to the last page.
About John Hatch: The Author Of A War Memoir
John Hatch: A Navy Veteran and the Author
John Hatch, a Vietnam-era Navy veteran, has shared his interesting and inspiring story in his thought-provoking memoir, A.W.O.L. He belongs to Mishawaka, Indiana, and has been passionate about writing non-fiction, poetry, and music. However, due to his family and societal expectations, he enlisted in the Navy.
His Navy service began in the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and then he served aboard the USS Yorktown before going A.W.O.L, i.e., Absent Without Leave. He has written one of the historical non fiction books featuring his self-reflections, anti-war sentiments, and political skepticism. The author talks about his emotional scars that he got from both military service and personal life.
A.W.O.L (Absent Without Leave)
About One Of The Best Military Memoir Books
Let’s talk about A.W.O.L, a good historical non fiction book that captures all the ife of John Hatch from his Navy service days. The author perfectly blends his real-life experiences, history, and reflections with dynamic storytelling. The premise is set in 1960s America, and you will love reading about Long Beach and its gritty streets, Hollywood, and the steel corridors of the USS Yorktown.
A.W.O.L walks you through the life of a young sailor, i.e., John Hatch, who enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He belongs to the patriotic family, and that’s what fueled his decision, along with his sense of duty. However, the realities of military service started to haunt him while he was dealing with his personal conflicts, including being left behind Mary, his pregnant girlfriend.
Soon, he began to question the gruesome horrors of war, its horrors, and his role in it. John eventually goes absent without leave, i.e., A.W.O.L, and here he gets on his emotional and personal journey and moves from one city to another. And now his military brat memoir is out now.
About The Book
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is a gripping crime thriller that stretches from the streets of Chicago to the shores of Florida, California, and the Bahamas. When socialite Loreli Miller is found murdered, Detectives Schmitt and Carlson uncover a dangerous trail of missing lovers, stolen millions, and mafia power. At the center of it all, six lives converge on a sailboat bound for paradise—where secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and only some will survive the voyage.
About The Book
The Keeper's Wife
Set against the mist-shrouded coast of St. Augustine, Florida, The Keeper’s Wife is a lyrical psychological mystery that blurs the line between memory and myth, love and loss, reality and the unseen.
John Monson is a man haunted—not just by a woman he once loved, but by a presence that refuses to let go. As dreams bleed into waking life and forgotten summers resurface, John is drawn back to a lighthouse, a vanished woman, and a truth buried beneath decades of silence.
Part love story, part ghostly meditation, The Keeper’s Wife explores how the past shapes us, how memory deceives us, and how some bonds transcend time itself.
This is a novel for readers who believe that love never truly disappears—it waits.
Testimonials
Mark Timothy
This book hit me hard. As someone who lost a family member to Vietnam, A.W.O.L gave me a window into the mindset of the young men who were thrown into that chaos. It’s not just a war story—it’s a story about love, regret, and waking up to the truth.
Elena Sammy
I did not expect A.W.O.L to be so personal, so heartbreaking, or so funny in parts. It’s one of the best historical non-fiction books that reveals politics and the art of survival during war. John’s voice stays with you long after the last page.
Devon Rick
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A.W.O.L: The Historical Nonfiction Book Revealing a Sailor’s Emotional Vietnam War Struggle
This historical nonfiction book illustrates the rough text of the Vietnam War, revealing a sailor’s courage, turmoil, and the profound depth of his emotions.
Behind The Pages
Why is it one of the best non fiction historical books to read?
About the book
A.W.O.L follows the story of John Hatch, a young sailor enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. The author has shared his story and experiences during his military service. He was stuck between a sense of duty, his love for Mary, and his conscience. His life took a sharp turn when he went A.W.O.L to get on a new journey and moved from one city to another. If you’re looking for the best non fiction historical books, it is a must-read.
About the author
All the way from Mishawaka, Indiana, he has been passionate about writing non-fiction, poetry, and music. However, due to his family and societal expectations, he enlisted in the US Navy and opted for A.W.O.L later. John Hatch has shared his interesting story in his thought-provoking and gripping memoir, A.W.O.L, where he talks about his anti-war sentiments and political skepticism.
Why you should read this book
A.W.O.L is a must-read memoir of John Hatch, who enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War due to his family and social expectations. However, he was so disappointed with the realities of military service and the horrors of war. He was so guilty, as he also left behind Mary, his pregnant girlfriend. If you love reading historical non fiction memoirs, this book is the best pick.
I was looking for some historical non fiction books to read, and a friend recommended A.W.O.L. While reading it, I felt like I was sitting with a friend who has lived through hell during Navy service and is now finally ready to talk. It's rawly written, is full of emotions, and is John’s honest reflection. I couldn't put it down.