Art Somers is a detective in close-knit Murrells Inlet, S.C., a small-town, coastal community with deeply held spiritual and supernatural belief systems. A serial killer has shattered his peaceful existence by abducting multiple twelve-year-old boys within his county. Young thugs, backwater drug dealers and the occasional murderer are the most Art’s had to deal with, but now he must apprehend a predator FBI profilers can’t find.
He discovers he has a tie by blood to the case and uncovers evidence that calls into question his long held spiritual beliefs. Abraham, the father of faith, had to choose to either sacrifice his son or disobey a direct order from God. Art must now make a choice - sacrifice his soul to save his son.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 10 out of 10
Prose: 7 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8.25 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The author deftly handles a multifaceted plot with plenty of surprises and plot twists. Blending police procedure with an underlying theme of religion/superstition shows skill.
Prose: The book's prose is solid and skillfully handled.
Originality: Wallace has executed an idea that, while not brand new, is quite original given current trends in the mystery/thriller genres.
Character Development: The main characters are skillfully and fully developed. However, secondary characters are left more two dimensional for purposes not revealed until the story's climax.
Blurb: Wallace’s original and engaging novel is full of plot twists, surprises, and a substantial dash of the supernatural thrown in for good measure.
Date Submitted: March 01, 2017
