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The Drowning Guard by Linda Lafferty

The Drowning Guard

A Novel of the Ottoman Empire

by Linda Lafferty

  • Readers' Rating (37):
  • Published:
  • Sep 2013, 301 pages
  • Rate this book

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Reviews

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Alison F. (Clearwater, FL)

The Drowning Guard by Linda Lafferty
Linda Lafferty's The Drowning Guard offers a interesting perspective of the struggles of power in Istanbul in 1826. This historical novel gave insight into the history of the Ottoman Empire and particularly that of the rule in Turkey, the relationship with the Janissaries and the bloody times during shifts of power. The book was very readable and centers around the internal struggle with good and evil that the Sultaness and her Christian drowning guard experience related to the power and control of the Sultan. The retelling of tales sometimes dragged a bit but about half way through the book its plot became much more compelling. I loved reading about the Sultaness and her harem and her ability to protect women in a harsh society for them.
Sandra S. (Charlotte, NC)

Not a book for everyone. . .
This book has a strong themes within it. Detestable acts, despicable and atrocious acts are committed throughout.There are terms and words common to the time and place and they can be confusing at times. However, if you love history and are interested in a story about two unusual and flawed characters, you should give this book a chance. I did, and I don't regret it.
Patricia_S

The Drowning Guard
When I first read the description of this book it didn't sound like something I'd ever pick up on my own. But the setting in early 19th-century Constantinople was a nice change from England and the Ottoman princess was certainly exotic. What difference did it make if she was also a murderess? Not as much as I thought it would. I found this book very atmospheric; the Bosphorus was almost a character in its own right. The (other) characters were well done, the secondary ones surprisingly so, and they were believable enough to keep me interested. While Esma Sultane's actions did not make sense to me, the history included in her reminiscences were fascinating, and I was very taken with Ivan and Esme's harem ladies. If you want something very dark and moody, with a wonderfully realized setting and characters that come alive, this book is for you.
Jacquelyn H. (Blanco, TX)

Exotic, enchanting Istanbul
I love Istanbul so was delighted to read a book about Istanbul and its exotic ancient culture and history. The story lagged at times but still had two well drawn and interesting protagonists and a fascinating yet tragic beginning where the Princess Esma Sultan ordered the drowning guard, Ivan Postivich, to drown her latest lover as she did with all the men she called to her chambers for a night of intimacy. Intrigues, battles and love affairs followed. The pace of the novel was indeed slow at times but never did I feel I should put it aside. Unique plot twists kept me going.
Norma R. (Secaucus, NJ)

Constantinople Nights
Be prepared to be transported to Constantinople in the 1800's. The city is part of the vast Ottoman Empire. People from all over live here - Armenians, English, Portuguese, Italians, Greeks, Jews from Spain, Serbo-Croats. The story centers on the lives of a brother and sister, the Sultan and Sultane. They live in luxury and have control over the ordinary citizens. The main character is Ivan Postivich, a Serbo-Croat, who was forced to give up his identity and religion to serve the Sultane. The novel is a reversal of the "Tales from a 1,001 Nights. Esma tells her life story to the soldier Ivan, The novel held my attention as each night more is revealed. The royal family was so cruel in so may ways but also protective of those in good favor. I enjoyed this book because I was immersed in another era. The novel had several suspenseful story lines.
Elizabeth L. (Beavercreek, OH)

The Drowning Guard
The author did an excellent job creating the scenes in the book. Her imagery was so vivid, it was almost possible to smell the scents in the streets of Istanbul. The plot, however, lagged a bit in the beginning. It took some time to get involved with the characters but untimately I enjoyed the story so I am glad I stuck with it. This is an excellent book for those who enjoy historical fiction as well as those who like strong female characters.
Freya_H

The Drowning Guard
I enjoyed this book although it was a stretch for me to even request it. The Ottoman Empire is not of particular interest to me, although this book may have ignited a spark. I felt there was just the right amount of actual history to draw the reader in, the characters were strong, and the plot was interesting. If the reader has an aversion to some particularly cruel acts, however, it may not be the book for you.
Colleen_T

Captivating read
[Editor's Note - review contains potential plot spoiler]

I just finished reading "The Drowning Guard" by Linda Lafferty and was captivated and awed by the story line and the characters. I loved that the story line somewhat followed the idea of Scheherazade telling nightly tales as from "The Arabian Nights: Tales from a 1,001 Nights" without going overboard with the idea, for me it was just right. I also found the writing and the character development superb, Lafferty has a wonderful way of getting to the "meat" of a character in a brief amount of time. Despite all of this, I gave the book four stars as I found that the ending, for me, was a bit too sweet and cutesy, considering the more striking brutality that takes place earlier in the novel's story. It just didn't seem to "fit".
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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /reader_reviews/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 04:52 PM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780332729197 ms 1.7803327292E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
1053 ms 1053 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
338 ms 338 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
225 ms 225 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
157 ms 157 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
142 ms 142 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
115 ms 58 ms 2 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
108 ms 108 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
102 ms 102 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
79 ms 79 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
47 ms 47 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
45 ms 45 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
44 ms 44 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
38 ms 38 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
36 ms 36 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
34 ms 34 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
33 ms 33 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
30 ms 10 ms 3 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
18 ms 18 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
18 ms 18 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_briefshell.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
15 ms 15 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
11 ms 11 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
10 ms 10 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
7 ms 7 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_views.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
5 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
1058 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=29ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=17ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=25ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_book_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 	ezine_preview_bb_link, ezine_preview_title
		FROM 	ezine_previews
		WHERE 	ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=50, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		top 50 reader_review_reviewer_email_address, count(reader_review_reviewer_email_address) as "count"
	FROM 		reader_reviews
	WHERE 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address like '%@%'
	AND 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address <> 'reviews@bookbrowse.com'
	GROUP BY 	reader_review_reviewer_email_address
	
	
	ORDER BY 	count desc
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=17ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_author_name (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT author_number, 
        CASE WHEN datalength(author_middle_initial) > 0 then author_first_name + ' ' + author_middle_initial + '. ' + author_last_name
            ELSE author_first_name + ' ' + author_last_name
            END "author_name"
        FROM authors 
        WHERE author_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 2329

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=101ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=107ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 8697

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 8697

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=249ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=65ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p8697

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 8697

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 16:52:09.009
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 2329
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 2329

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 8697.0

IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'akfreeborn@me.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'sandr572@netscape.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'patsayremccoy@att.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'jwhinton10@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'mreidy8@comcast.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'BLias@aol.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'fhasselbach16@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'turnerca55@hotmail.com'
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=24ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=32ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=21ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=3ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 16:52:10.010
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order%3Dp%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4108376%26CFTOKEN%23%3D81d55b5b8d1106cc%2D28FF6FB2%2DCD6C%2D1824%2D24AF8D969F26E664%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2016%3A52%3A09%27%7D%23hitcount%3D6%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2016%3A52%3A06%27%7D%23cftoken%3D5a932f38ef30d819%2D28FF6516%2DA467%2D39A3%2D54DF9725D732F0AA%23cfid%3D4108375%23; CFID=4108376; CFTOKEN=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=/ezine_preview_number/8697/page/2/order/bw/the-drowning-guard
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/reader_reviews/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4108375
cftoken=5a932f38ef30d819-28FF6516-A467-39A3-54DF9725D732F0AA
hitcount=12
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 16:52:09'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 16:52:06'}
urltoken=CFID=4108376&CFTOKEN=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order=p#member_number=0#member_active_flag=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4108376&CFTOKEN#=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664#lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 16:52:09'}#hitcount=6#timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 16:52:06'}#cftoken=5a932f38ef30d819-28FF6516-A467-39A3-54DF9725D732F0AA#cfid=4108375#
CFID=4108376
CFTOKEN=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
Session Variables:
cfid=4108376
cftoken=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4108376_81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
urltoken=CFID=4108376&CFTOKEN=81d55b5b8d1106cc-28FF6FB2-CD6C-1824-24AF8D969F26E664
URL Parameters:
ezine_preview_number=8697
order=bw
page=2
the-drowning-guard=
Debug Rendering Time: 26 ms