Official Review: Truth and Revenge by Sheila Rawlings

[fitzml]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Truth and Revenge" by Sheila Rawlings.]

Roberto Deluca is in a desperate situation. He turns to his best friend for help, but the friend flatly refuses to help him, endangering his wife and children and ultimately resulting in his death. His widow vows to exact revenge. But how will this vengeance come about and who will be the avenger?

Fast forward 26 years and we meet Chris Newman, an up-and-coming marketing specialist for a graphic design company. Life is good for Chris: She’s got a great job, a loyal best friend and a really cool boss who is also her mentor. She has attracted the attention of the handsome, charming and wealthy Mark Dempster. But unbeknownst to her, she has also attracted attention of a more covert nature.

This romantic whodunit gets off to a strong, dramatic start in chapters 1 and 2. In Chapter 3, I thought I had accidentally picked up a copy of Bridget Jones’ Diary. The transition was so startling that I wondered how the author was going to connect it with the first chapters. However, I’m glad I kept reading because the author eventually connects the stories in a touching and very satisfying way.

It was refreshing that the two leading characters, Chris and her boss Simon, were somewhat introverted - but not serial killers, social outcasts or weirdos – and that they both led productive, successful lives.

I thought I had figured out who the revenge-seeking culprit was halfway through the story, so I was pleasantly surprised by the surprise twist later in the story.

The “day-in-the life” style of writing can be a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it’s easy to relate to a character whose life is so similar to one’s own. I could really relate to the scene where Chris is late for work and encountering all manner of obstacles. On the other hand, it’s a curse because it’s easy to become bored by a character whose mundane life is so similar to one’s own. In one chapter, Chris has to prove her mettle by standing up to an uncooperative and arrogant co-worker. We’ve all been there, but on paper it just came across as petty and juvenile. Maybe the guy could have been a bigger jerk for dramatic purposes, or maybe a glimpse of previous humiliations that Chris had to endure might have given her assertiveness more emotional effect.

Some of the chapters could have ended on a stronger note, with some kind of “hook” that made me look forward to the next chapter, although this wasn’t an issue in later chapters.

Also, a couple of descriptions seemed unnecessary because they were “givens” and didn’t add any value to the story. An example is a description of office that had while walls, with the added explanation that they were painted that way to brighten the space. A cheery yellow or drag beige might hint at a character’s personality, but since white is such a common and neutral color, further explanation seemed superfluous. Also, on two occasions, a character was noted for having olive skin, which would be expected for a native of Italy. Once mention might be ignored, but two mentions is like pointing out that a Scandinavian person has fair skin.

The grammar, punctuation and formatting were noticeably superior.

Because of the number of characters and backstories and the skill with which the author blended them all together, and because of the level of detail, I give Truth and Revenge 3 out of 4 stars. I think the avengers were given short shrift and could have been better developed; If not for that, I could have given this story 4 stars.

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[Bigirimana Celestin]

Great review

[kimmyschemy06]

Despite the flaws you mentioned, this sounds like a very intriguing book with interesting and relatable characters. Great job the review.

[Silvermoon]

I do love whodunits and a little romance doesn't hurt! Good job on the review!

[Alexander Victoria]

The author's ability to connect these divergent storylines in a touching and satisfying way is a testament to their storytelling skills. It suggests that "The Vengeful Widow" is not just a romantic whodunit but a narrative that delves into the complexities of human emotions, choices, and the lasting impact of past events.

[kwamemeloy]

Your review offers readers a profound understanding of the book.