Sitting in a booth, my husband and I were approached by a man on his way out from the restaurant. He asked us, "Do either of you read fictional books for pleasure?" Bold, but not offensive. My husband pointed toward me. "She's in a book club. Why?" This man answered, "I'm an author; my book is due out soon. I'm offering teaser introductions to anyone and everyone who's interested." He extended a multipage pamphlet; I accepted it, leery at first. "It's the first chapter and a sliver of the second. Hot out of my laser printer this morning." After a brief pleasant chitchat, he met up with his patiently waiting wife and left.

I read the copied online review aloud to my husband while we waited for our lunches to arrive. It certainly piqued our interest. That night, I thought I'd read a few pages before turning my bedside lamp off. I couldn't put it down; I was captivated, like I was there in the room as the action occurred. It left me with questions, wanting the rest of the story.

My husband, who is not a book reader, read it the next day. It had the same effect on him as it did on me. "We're buying this book," he announced. No argument there. And if the next twenty-eight chapters are as good as the first, I'm suggesting it to my book club. 'My Name is Kreussenheimer' might be fiction, but it reads more like a multifaceted memoir. Google helped me find the online review (@OnlineBookClub.org); there were twenty-three. In summary: Five Stars.

My Name is Kreussenheimer by Dale Preuss is a fictional story about the man Kevin Kreussenheimer. The book is the first volume of the life of Kevin Kreussenheimer, containing chapters 1–29. Kevin, or Mr. Kroy, as he is called by some, is a complex man; he's not the type of man for whom you can just know what is going on with him. Kevin is a father and grandfather, though he does not look as old as he seems. He's a man who is always planning five moves ahead, and while some things may seem accidental or a coincidence, it may all just be a grand plan by Kevin. This first volume tells us about his divorce from his wife, Joss, the loss of his daughter, and how he deals with that loss, as well as the people who come into his orbit as the story progresses. It's a story of love, loss, family, horror, heartbreak, action, mystery, and so much more.

The book is written in first-person pronouns, and different characters in the book get to narrate the story themselves; it's not just Kevin doing the narration. We can see what the characters are feeling and thinking; this makes the book unique and helps the readers understand what's going on. The book contains mystery, suspense, and death; while some may be accidental, others are not; family drama; and many more. The author also includes some dialogues in Russian, and he also translates them.
I enjoyed the character of Kevin Kreussenheimer to the fullest. He is like a mix of James Bond and a very loving father. He does all he can to protect his family, and he makes sure that they are well taken care of. For someone who has experienced loss and who himself has caused a lot of loss and pain to others, it is surprising how he still has such a deep well of love for others. It's an admirable quality.
I enjoyed the book; it's a completely fictional novel; it has the ingredients of a mystery; it's an action novel; and it even contains humor. The characters all played their roles well, and they made this book interesting. I commend the author for the arrangement of the book into three different parts and chapters. This first volume has set the stage for the remainder of the book, and I can't wait to see what happens next in the life of Kevin Kreussenheimer. I also commend the editor for the exceptional editing done on this book. There is nothing I dislike in this book.
I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars; it's a really enjoyable novel to read about Kevin and those who came into his orbit. I recommend this book to all lovers of fiction. Through the pages of this book, you'll get immersed in the life of this very intriguing, complex fictional character.