Review of Friendship City

[Brenda Creech]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Friendship City" by Carl H. Mitchell.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Friendship City: Hanging by a Thread by Carl H. Mitchell is a crime novel set in 2058 about the destruction of a new city and a deadly virus that is ready to be released into the world. Friendship City results from two border towns, Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, merging to form one self-governed city. A political utopia where everyone can live peacefully in a crime-free, racist-free environment. The first nine months had been rocky because the former evil World Council leader, Jason Beck, tried to destroy the city. When Beck died in a helicopter crash, everyone thought the World Council had lost its power. Now, the city is trying to write its bill of rights.

Lenora Allison, President of the United States, tries to save Friendship City, but Ishmael, the new leader of the World Council, has other ideas. Recently, several acts of violence have occurred in the city. President Allison calls on Detective Nick Garvey to help her save Friendship City and locate seven barrels of a deadly virus ready to be released into the world. At the same time, Nick's daughter is in a coma in Houston, recovering from a severe beating by her boyfriend. She was moved to Friendship City for safety. With no clues to go on, how would they ever find seven barrels and prevent the release of the virus? Their fate lay in the hands of a young boy and his science project that might enable them to locate the barrels.

The character development in this book is excellent. The characters are believable and relatable, and most of them are prime examples of what honest, caring individuals should be. Still, others are not as amicable—those who have shown up to tear down what the citizens of Friendship City have built. There are 94 chapters in this 288-page book, but they are brief chapters and keep the story moving swiftly from page to page. A fun aspect I enjoyed is the author includes an appendix with Friendship City's "Bill of Rights and Obligations." In the end, Mitchell leaves the reader with a cliff-hanger, leaving room for a sequel.

My favorite thing about the book is how President Lenora Allison got down in the trenches and worked beside the detectives and secret service agents she had assigned to stop the planned deadly virus attack that would spread rapidly worldwide. President Allison wasn't a timid president who hid behind the secret service's coat-tails. She didn't sit in the bunker under the White House in Washington, D.C. The president wanted in on the action. She believed in taking risks. And besides that, she was a Republican president with a Democrat vice-president.

I can't think of anything I disliked about this book. The book is well-written and professionally edited. I only found a couple of typos, so to me, that indicates professional editing. There is some strong profanity but no erotic content. The storyline is intriguing and suspenseful as the reader follows the president, detectives, and secret service in their attempt to prevent the spread of the deadly virus throughout the world. The book is worthy of a 4 out of 4 stars rating. I recommend this book to adult crime novel lovers with the bonus attraction of a futuristic theme. Those struggling emotionally or physically from the current pandemic should probably avoid reading this book.

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Friendship City
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[Aisha Yakub]

Apocalypse. I'm intrigued by the storyline; I should be adding this to my shelves. Thank you for the review.

[Amy Luman]

I am intrigued by unlikely heroes and the boy with the science project is that. In addition, the cooperation between Brownsville and Matadors is encouraging.

[QualityAndQuantity]

I always like a futuristic book, doesn't matter it's about evolution or destruction. I think I'll add it to my shelf. Thanks for the review.

[Raymonda onwuka]

I love the story line and I am certain that good with triumph over evil as usual and Ishmael will be defeated. Thanks for the great review.

[Avishi]

The storyline is good, it definitely needs a sequel. I hope the deadly virus won't spread and they save the friendship city. Living in virus world is always scary like we are living with covid.
I personally liked the title of this book 'Friendship city'

[Asiaa Szn]

This is a great story that needs to become a movie. Great review.

[Brenda Creech]

Apocalypse. I'm intrigued by the storyline; I should be adding this to my shelves. Thank you for the review.

It is a good book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I always like a futuristic book, doesn't matter it's about evolution or destruction. I think I'll add it to my shelf. Thanks for the review.

I like futuristic books. They used to seem like they were way off in the distance but we seem to be catching up with dates that used to seem so far away! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I am intrigued by unlikely heroes and the boy with the science project is that. In addition, the cooperation between Brownsville and Matadors is encouraging.

Yes, the part about the boy's science project being the answer to solving the scenario was my favorite part! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I love the story line and I am certain that good with triumph over evil as usual and Ishmael will be defeated. Thanks for the great review.

Thanks! I loved the storyline too, it was very unique. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

The storyline is good, it definitely needs a sequel. I hope the deadly virus won't spread and they save the friendship city. Living in virus world is always scary like we are living with covid.
I personally liked the title of this book 'Friendship city'

It reminded me so much of what we have all been through for the past two years with Covid! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

This is a great story that needs to become a movie. Great review.

It would make a great sci-fi movie! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Adelle v]

Great review. I like the fact that the President isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and join in the work. That's my type of president. the Apocalyptic feel gives this book a sense of fun and adventure.

[NetMassimo]

This kind of story can be indeed hard to read for someone during the pandemic but it seems like an intriguing thriller with some science fiction elements. Thank you for your great review!