4 out of 4 stars
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Necessary Evils is an exciting thriller novel by Bill Carson.
Written, for the most part, in the third person perspective, the story is about John Kane, a transport manager whose job includes overseeing fleet of chauffeur-driven limousines that take chief executives around. As John looks forward to a romantic evening with his beloved wife, Sarah, he receives a call from the police. His wife was attacked with a knife and bled to death.
The pain of losing the only person that matters to him is just too much for John that he tries to kill himself. He miraculously survives and wakes up with a new mission in life: to hunt the vile creatures of Britain who prey on innocent victims like Sarah.
The first thing I like about the story is the fast pace. The moment the action starts, it never stops, making the book very difficult to put down. Though the theme is not very original, the execution is smooth and absorbing and the writing is conversational and easy to read. Most importantly, the descriptions are top rate. Apparently, the author is very particular with even the most minute of details. The settings are elaborately described and the manners of which the protagonist kills his victims are vividly and graphically depicted. Moreover, I commend the author for seamlessly inserting a little bit of romance in such a violent story. It gives the book a softer feel.
The author expertly describes the pain of losing a loved one; how pain drives a person to the edge of sanity and how he wants to inflict the same level of pain on those who deserve it. The story makes the reader contemplate on the moral implication of taking the life of a criminal to protect innocent people. At some point, I find myself rooting for John and praying that he will not get caught while at the same time berating him for violating the law.
In that regard, I like how the author developed the protagonist. John Kane is an ordinary guy who turns insanely violent when his loved one was killed. He is also very smart. He learns from his mistakes, prepares for his attacks and disposes evidence that might incriminate him. He chooses his weapons well, dons clothing that conceals his identity and wears expensive and protective vest. He is passionate and focused on his mission and the best thing is, he knows when it is time to stop. He is one remarkable and admirable character.
However, I noticed a particular scene that I find irrelevant, which is thankfully not very long. That and the confusing shift of POV from third person to first person. The first person point of view is originally written in italics indicating the characters’ thoughts. The italicizing, however, was discontinued at the later chapters.
I, therefore, give this book the rate of 4 out of 4 stars and I recommend it to fans of action and thriller. However, this book contains very violent scenes and appalling and gruesome details which are not suitable for young readers.
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Necessary Evils
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