Review of Soaring in Silence
-
Jacqueline Maxfield
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 14 Feb 2025, 14:49
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 15
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jacqueline-maxfield.html
- Latest Review: Soaring in Silence by Beverly Gandara
Review of Soaring in Silence
[Following is a volunteer review of "Soaring in Silence" by Beverly Gandara.]
Review by Jacqueline Maxfield of Soaring in Silence: One Woman’s Triumph Over Fear by Beverly Gandara
Narrated by Jack Oviatt, a retired law enforcement officer, the novel follows the lives of Brad and Kim Wolf.
In 1994, Brad and Kim Wolf moved from a Manhattan apartment to Scottsdale, Arizona, in hopes of finding a more peaceful and healing environment for Kim. At the age of 49 and recently diagnosed with Takayasu’s Arteritis, a rare disease for which there is no cure, Kim is given one year to live. However, she believes a life of less stress in the quiet small Arizona town will help her live a healthier and longer life.
Kim, an enthusiastic reader and researcher, finds an opportunity to use her skills as a volunteer at the local police department. She is thrilled to work with the newly appointed police volunteer coordinator, Jack Oviatt. Upon meeting Kim, Jack is immediately smitten with her beauty and intelligence. They work well together. Kim easily settles into a routine of volunteering with the local police and helping her husband with his new antique shop.
Soon Kim’s life is turned into anything but relaxing. She is harassed and stalked by Harry Gellis, a neighbor in her retirement village of Pima Vista. With very determined and disgusting behavior, Harry disrupts her swim class, follows her into a beauty shop and spies on her at the grocery store. In an effort to keep Brad from worrying about her, Kim decides to deal with this situation alone. The more Harry is rebuffed by Kim, the more intense his efforts: he breaks into Kim’s residence while she and Brad are away; the swimming pool is sabotaged and the swim instructor is almost killed; an outdoor grill explodes injuring Kim’s friend, Pat.
Because Kim is an avid researcher, she continues to scan the computer for news of Manhattan, her hometown. While reading a story about Brooklyn mob boss Joseph DeBola, she discovers Harry Gellis’ true identity and begins her efforts to expose him. The novel is nicely developed and each character is described in vivid detail. The author is able to move the story along at a nice pace so the reader is not bored. This reviewer’s only complaint is that at times the narration seems to change from Jack to another character and it is unclear who the narrator actually is.
There are several awkward sentences and frequent grammar mistakes indicating poor editing. This is not a sexually graphic novel and bad language is only used in dialogue where it would be expected for that situation. This reviewer gives this novel a rating of four out of five stars because of the poor editing.
Any adolescent or adult interested in suspense should enjoy this book.
******
Soaring in Silence
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Review by Jacqueline Maxfield of Soaring in Silence: One Woman’s Triumph Over Fear by Beverly Gandara
Narrated by Jack Oviatt, a retired law enforcement officer, the novel follows the lives of Brad and Kim Wolf.
In 1994, Brad and Kim Wolf moved from a Manhattan apartment to Scottsdale, Arizona, in hopes of finding a more peaceful and healing environment for Kim. At the age of 49 and recently diagnosed with Takayasu’s Arteritis, a rare disease for which there is no cure, Kim is given one year to live. However, she believes a life of less stress in the quiet small Arizona town will help her live a healthier and longer life.
Kim, an enthusiastic reader and researcher, finds an opportunity to use her skills as a volunteer at the local police department. She is thrilled to work with the newly appointed police volunteer coordinator, Jack Oviatt. Upon meeting Kim, Jack is immediately smitten with her beauty and intelligence. They work well together. Kim easily settles into a routine of volunteering with the local police and helping her husband with his new antique shop.
Soon Kim’s life is turned into anything but relaxing. She is harassed and stalked by Harry Gellis, a neighbor in her retirement village of Pima Vista. With very determined and disgusting behavior, Harry disrupts her swim class, follows her into a beauty shop and spies on her at the grocery store. In an effort to keep Brad from worrying about her, Kim decides to deal with this situation alone. The more Harry is rebuffed by Kim, the more intense his efforts: he breaks into Kim’s residence while she and Brad are away; the swimming pool is sabotaged and the swim instructor is almost killed; an outdoor grill explodes injuring Kim’s friend, Pat.
Because Kim is an avid researcher, she continues to scan the computer for news of Manhattan, her hometown. While reading a story about Brooklyn mob boss Joseph DeBola, she discovers Harry Gellis’ true identity and begins her efforts to expose him. The novel is nicely developed and each character is described in vivid detail. The author is able to move the story along at a nice pace so the reader is not bored. This reviewer’s only complaint is that at times the narration seems to change from Jack to another character and it is unclear who the narrator actually is.
There are several awkward sentences and frequent grammar mistakes indicating poor editing. This is not a sexually graphic novel and bad language is only used in dialogue where it would be expected for that situation. This reviewer gives this novel a rating of four out of five stars because of the poor editing.
Any adolescent or adult interested in suspense should enjoy this book.
******
Soaring in Silence
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Soaring in Silence by Beverly Gandara
