Reviews and Radio Interviews:

Linda Fasulo's Review on WGCU, Southwest Florida NPR

Midwest Book Review:

A motive can be the hardest thing to figure out when investigating a homicide. "The Oasis Project" follows Shirley Waterbury as she deals with the catastrophe of her family's death. Although the tragedy is ruled an accident, she refuses to believe it and wants to bring those responsible to justice. She finds support in a grizzled old cop who needs answers to why he does what he does anymore, and who thinks there may be something to Shirley's theory. A riveting mystery all the way through, "The Oasis Project" is a grade-A pick for community library mystery collections.

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The Oasis Project by Art Adkins is a substantive and substantial environmental detective murder mystery that entertains and delivers the goods every chapter.

The Oasis Project is Art Adkins' first novel but you would not know it after reading this book. Mr. Adkins has been in law enforcement for the last twenty-eight years and has worked as a police officer on the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department and as a sergeant on the LAPD. His knowledge of police procedure is in The Oasis Project like a seasoned author of 10 or more novels. My first thoughts when reading The Oasis Project is the author is as good as John Grisham except Art Adkins has a badge.

The Oasis Project is very good on many levels. Literary speaking the story/plot is solid. The characters are believable and you will be wanting more of them when you finish reading The Oasis Project. Adkins has his own writing style which I’m sure will reward him with years as a successful published author.

The Oasis Project is about the murder of a family, specifically a high school boy named Billy Waterbury, who is gifted in environmental science. Billy has an invention called the “Desalting Machine” – An invention that could possibly end world hunger by bringing water to parts of the world that has none. This machine could solve problems with pollution. Companies all over the world are greedily trying to get their hands on Billy’s machine and the outcome is Billy is murdered. Who did it and why? Read the book!

Enter Slade Lockwood a decorated detective who has moved to Cedar Key Florida to retire. Slade is not looking for anything except to find himself. He doesn’t need or want work but the Waterbury murder has Slade doing what he does best – Detective work. Finding criminals and putting them where they belong.

In a recent interview the author said, “Slade is different in a lot of ways. Slade is not out trying to hustle money or worry about obtaining a case to pay the rent. Slade is trying to find himself, has become disgruntled with law enforcement and is going through a process to re-discover the youthful ambition and ideals that led him into law enforcement to begin with. It is this journey that perplexes Slade, this self-discovery that he has run from for so long, refusing to acknowledge, but now must confront. Discovering who the murderer is in the story is a parallel course for Slade, but equally important. I like Slade because he is not afraid to venture into the unknown. At times he moves forward, not because he understands the direction he is taking, but he accepts that he must take it and the conclusion will be enlightening. How many times in our own lives do we get thrown into situations where we must battle through to the end and hope the solution is worth the price we pay? That is Slade - he moves forward because he has to and wants to, not afraid to confront those aspects of his personality and environment that may be painful, but at the same time beneficial. I think everyone can appreciate Slade.”

Anyone who reads The Oasis Project will instantly feel and see that Art Adkins is a natural born first rate story-teller and writer. The Oasis Project marks a special time in this authors writing career in that this is his first novel but the great thing is I'd bet my house his second will be even better. The Oasis Project is the perfect book for summer reading so hurry up and get a copy before the summer is over. The sequel is in the works. Excellent! Superb! Read The Oasis Project today.

Reviewed by John Weaver

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Review fromJoAnne Conners-Wade, author of The Manucript; No Tomorrows; and A Thread of Evidence:

The Oasis Project is, by far, one of the best mystery novels I’ve read in a long time. Your dialog was appropriate and your ability to envision a situation, transform it into the written word and deliver a clear picture in the reader’s mind is outstanding. I found The Oasis Project a fast and interesting read. You are definitely on your way to the top! (I hope you will save a seat for me when you get there, however; I hear there’s lots of room at the top. I was pleased to find you were able to ‘wrap it up’ and not leave the reader left to discern the ending despite your plan to write a sequel. Nice job!

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What the Fans are Saying:

Art, I just finished reading The Oasis Project. It is by far one of the best books I have read. You were doing a tour at a book store at The Mall of Georgia and talked my sister into buying your book. She loved it and told me it was one of her favorites. I could not put it down. I read all the time and have read most of James Patterson and Stuart Woods. You are on a great beginning. I enjoyed that book and am looking forward to the sequel. I have already given your name and The Oasis Project name to several friends and told them to buy it on line. Will you please notify me when the sequel is completed by email? I am a great fan of your work and will spread the word. Thanks for such a good read.

Your fan, Robin Russell

I read it and loved it and I have it now at the shop and tell everyone about it. - Edie Zaprir- Kona Joe's Island Cafe - Cedar Key

I couldn't put it down. Well, dinner had to be prepared...but aside from that, it was nearly non-stop reading. - Christy Jefferson

I will continue to spread the word of the new author I have uncovered to my friends! I am a great fan of James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark. I love a great suspenseful novel. The Oasis Project was just that and more! - Mindy Bass

I read the book and throughly enjoyed it! I really was hoping you would write another one featuring Slade Lockwood and when I went to your web site listed in the flyer I was excited to see you have. So, I hope you will bring "Power Grid" also! - Paul Tepper

What an exciting book to read. It got your attention from the very beginning and you didn't want to put it down. The locales used in the story were great. For us in Central Florida, we have visited many of the places traveled to in the book. I can't wait for the sequel! - Janice Rockey

I usually don't read fiction, and seldom read "who-done-its". I look for reading matter where I can learn something. But someone lent me a recent novel that I started, put down, then picked up and did not put it down again until I had finished the book.
It is a who-done-it written by a former California policeman, but, for the most part, set in Cedar Key. It has several murders, a Florida hurricane, and a sassy Cedar Key pelican.
The author knows his police work and I did indeed learn a great deal about forensic science.
The book is very close to the truth, especially in its description of Cedar Key-- Remember what you have heard about the drop-off into the Gulf from Cedar Key airport?
I do not want to spoil the story for you so I will not touch on the plot; I just may read it again.-Maggie Morgan

The Oasis Project is a great read - full of suspense and with an ending that, although science fiction today, may well become science fact in a few years. I hope the right scientists read this book and become inspired to turn this tremendous concept into reality. -Tom Columbano

I've read many murder mysteries but yours had put a refreshing twist on things which I thoroughly enjoyed & now can't wait for your next book. Thank you again! - Deborah Pilcher

Slade Lockwood is the type of character that people like to follow and see what he is going to experience next. The descriptions of the locations make it easy to visualize where Slade is at all times. We all want to be like Slade because of his hero status. This book is fun to read and exciting to follow. -Brian Helmerson

I loved this book. It has plots and intrigue aplenty. Lots of action, a great hero and a plausable plot with believable victims. Some of the happless bad guys are too funny. -Dorothy Bartlett

This is a terrific story with a well woven plot. I really look forward to the author's next book, and the one after that . . . -Pat Grunder

I wanted to commend Art Adkins on his riveting, action packed novel, The Oasis Project. The plot was very well developed and provided intrigue, romance, and drama. His vivid description of the characters and Cedar Key made me feel as if I were watching a movie. I look forward to reading a sequel. - Marilyn Nowicki

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From the first words on the first page, the adventure will grip you and absorb you. The Oasis Project has likeable characters and you will want to cheer for the hero, Slade Lockwood. The plot will draw you in and keep you until the climatic finish. If you're familiar with Central Florida, you will recognize many of the locales used in this story. The description and atmosphere used to describe Cedar Key will inspire you to travel to the quaint little town.

Art Adkins has a unique gift to tell a story and bring the characters to life. I look forward to seeing his name linked with other great writers of our time. - Carol Davis

I have to admit that The Oasis Project is a very well written book, particularly for a first time author. You have a real talent. Once I started to read it, I had a difficult time putting it down. I thought that ending was a little contrived. Slade Lockwood reminds me very much of Ian Fleming’s early descriptions of James Bond or of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee. I do think that you have some growing to do to create a character like Lincoln Rhymes or Jack Ryan or to develop a story line like the “Prey” series or Robert Ludlum’s books. - Al Leary

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