Review of The Presence of Justice

[Darlyn McCormick]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Presence of Justice" by Elvis Bray.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Presence of Justice by Elvis Bray is a murder mystery fiction, which is a fast and enjoyable read. It takes place in Arizona, where the land is spread out and cowboys are prolific. The main character, Andrew, is an all-American high school boy who you would want to date your daughter because he is an upstanding citizen wherever he goes. He makes his mark on his town, high school, football team, peers, adults, and parents. He is almost too good to be true. If this person ever existed, I would like to meet him.

Upon moving to a new town, Andrew is the outcast, where he is tasked with many challenges. Once he establishes himself, he attempts to lift up others by example. The only one who is not impressed is Shayla. His attempts to garner her favor are obvious to others, but not self-evident. His high school football team is in shambles when he arrives, but he seeks to remedy that. Andrew seems to be where all the action is and has a lifetime of experience before he even graduates.

Nobody has been able to solve the local murder; however, Andrew's father, the new hire at the police department, becomes immersed. There is plenty of action; there are twists and turns, some predictable. The author keeps the reader interested in learning who did it, where, why, and how, as we become more acquainted with the people in his new town. The main characters are well developed and the supporting characters are easy to follow without getting bogged down in who's who. The author's writing style is descriptive without going over the top. The chapters flow with ease, making for a relaxing and interesting read.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because it is definitely enjoyable and the characters are solid. This book is suitable for most readers, including teenagers, due to the absence of mature themes. I recommend it because the pace is fast, the characters are likable, and it is easy to pick back up when continuing on with the journey. I imagine if it were made into a movie it would appear on Lifetime. It is wholesome with a bit of an edge to keep the reader interested. The only reason I omit a star is because the hero is too perfect. Even though he is a high school student, Andrew seems like a seasoned individual who has everything figured out in life. Amazingly, he excels in numerous life and death situations. At least he can't figure out girls at first.

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The Presence of Justice
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