From the author of The Winner Maker and Blackquest 40 comes The Pinebox Vendetta: a genre-bending thriller that combines a love story, cold-case murder mystery, and political blood feud – told over the course of a single breathless weekend.
The Gallaghers and Pruitts have dominated the American political landscape dating back to Revolutionary times. The Yale University class of 1996 had one of each, and as the twenty-year reunion approaches, the families are on a collision course.
Owen Gallagher is coasting to the Democratic nomination for president.
Rock Pruitt – the brash maverick whose career was derailed two decades ago by his association to a tragic death – is back, ready to reclaim the mantle of clan leader.
And fatefully in between lies Samantha Lessing. Sam arrives at reunion weekend lugging a rotten marriage, dumb hope, and a portable audio recorder she'll use for a public radio-style documentary on the Pruitt-Gallagher rivalry – widely known as the pinebox vendetta. What Sam uncovers will thrust her into the middle of the ancient feud, upending presidential politics and changing the trajectory of one clan forever.
The Pinebox Vendetta is the first entry in the Pruitt-Gallagher saga: a series that promises cutthroat plots, power grabs, and unforgettable characters stretched to their very limits by the same ideological forces that roil America today.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 7 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: Exposure, revenge, and control, along with a familial history of fighting, propel this shocking mystery to an unexpected conclusion. Steeped in madness, this tipsy tale exposes the dark side to human nature, and the danger that lurks in uncovered secrets.
Prose: Sophisticated though sometimes repetitive use of language brings into sharp focus a bizarre tale of rancor, a vendetta with roots embedded within three centuries. Engrossing, yet somewhat baffling, this story proceeds in evocative detail, just enough to satisfy while strategically paced for maximum impact.
Originality: Ancestral feuds set the foundation for endless plots, and this novel explores yet another event-filled catastrophe buried beneath years of clandestine behavior. A fresh approach sets this book apart from the mundane, a meticulously planned page-turner.
Character Development: Strong-willed protagonists face the consequences of past deeds, emerging as distinctive individuals with memorable personalities. Fine-tuned, crafted with precision, these lifelike characters leave an indelible mark on a story filled with supporting players, such as an inquisitive woman intent on revealing the truth.
Date Submitted: May 14, 2020
