"Drift and Return" By Neil Plakcy: Review/Giveaway

Review by Kiana Wall

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

There are many things in life that I look forward to: college, breaks, musicals going on tour … and, of course, an email from our editor-in–chief asking if I wanted to review another book from one of my favorite authors, Neil Plakcy. That’s right, he is back with another wonderful book comprised of two novellas, set in the cozy vicinity of the Smiling Dog Cafe. Settle in, dear reader, for Drift and Return.

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Image Source Samwise Books

One of my favorite things about Plakcy is that he always comes up with new characters in completely different settings. This time, he has built the character of Tom, a retired bronze Olympic medalist in the little-known sport of luge. Tom is tired of explaining who he was to people when he is still figuring out who he is. He defined his identity by his sport, but the 2020 lockdown interrupted his routine, and now he struggles to find a niche where he belongs without letting go of his sport. He finds peace and solace in Betty’s cafe where the special blends bring back memories. He finds himself in the memories, and carries what he learns from the past with quiet confidence into his current position.

Meanwhile, Margaret is also struggling to find her place in the world. After years of rigid routine and carefully structured conversations, she loses her job and finds herself at a loss. She finds comfort in her dog, who eventually leads her to the Smiling Dog Cafe. Although it takes her a while to feel comfortable in the quiet of the cafe, memories surface that explain her journey. She eventually learns to take comfort in the silence, realizing that after analyzing so many types of silence, this one is okay.

Betty, the owner of the Smiling Dog Cafe, also copes with quiet change. As she watches the world move quickly, and the cafe’s purpose begins to change shape, she ponders the possibilities of change and the ramifications that come with it. Struggling to keep up with the lightning-fast pace of our world, she makes quiet decisions that change the direction of the cafe.

The theme of this book was quiet. Whether it’s finding your identity and carrying it with quiet confidence, or understanding the language of quiet, Plakcy emphasizes how important it is. It spoke to me, as someone of the next generation, who is inheriting a world full of people who fight to be the loudest. Sometimes you have to stay after your meetings and listen to people talk, or be the one behind the scenes. The quiet people are often the people who change the world.

The quality of writing, the uniqueness of the characters, and the ever-rotating settings in all his books highlight Plakcy’s versatility as a writer. He is also a mystery writer, so alongside writing these healing fiction books, he also crafts intriguing mysteries. He writes with detailed insight into a variety of topics I rarely see in other books, and I’m here for it!

To enter to win an ebook copy of Drift and Return, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "drift,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 20, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Kiana Wall is currently attending Reedley College, majoring in Administration of Justice and waitressing on the side. In between writing reviews, she enjoys writing her own short stories, poems, crocheting, reading for fun, and DIY. As a former Decathlete with a silver medal in essay writing, she specializes in reviewing fantasy and cozy mystery books.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.