Review of Beyond the Higher Ground
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Review of Beyond the Higher Ground
[Following is a volunteer review of "Beyond the Higher Ground" by Thomas A. Brigger.]
The book, Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger, graciously told the story of a young man named Tuck Mason, who, from the onset of the narrative, was still mourning the loss of his wife Katherine. For some official reasons, Mason was tasked with constructing a local prison on an Appalachian mountain in Wells County, Virginia. But with the job came the need for a change in location. This prompted Mason to start seeking a place to rent in the new locality after being advised by a friend to stay out of motels as they weren't suitable for long-term habitation. Mason ended up renting a 3-bedroom apartment on Mills Hollow Road for approximately a year and a half. Certain unexplainable turns of events, however, made him realize that his presence wasn't really welcome there, but that didn't deter him anyway. He immersed himself in his work, but constant suggestions and warnings to leave the house, both from his friends and neighbors, heightened his curiosity and plunged him into investigation mode. He refused to rest on his oars until peace prevailed.
The character development was great. The author's vivid description of the environment alongside the characters was applaudable. It made it easier for the reader to understand the rationale behind the choices made by each character, especially the protagonist, Tuck Mason. I could practically see the troubles that waged war in his mind; his struggles, his pain, even his emotions at each given time. I could attribute this to the author's deft usage of flashbacks.
The book is filled with suspense, piled layer upon layer. Unlike many books where the reader can guess the next turn of events, this happens to be different here. You just can't foresee the next big thing until it lands on your doorstep. I really loved the author's use of the southern accent in some of the conversations with the locals. It had a way of keeping the readers' imaginations active. I also appreciated how the author interlaced humor with very sensitive issues such as drug abuse, grief, and many other issues that were raised in the book. It had a subtle way of driving the point home.
There's literally nothing that I disliked about this book. It seemed to be professionally well edited, as I didn't notice any errors. There were also several lessons to be learned, ranging from parenting tips to the dangers of drug abuse and tips for daily living. Mason is proof that, despite having a rough past, one can scale through. His secret was to take the journey one step at a time and deal with each issue as it arose. If he could survive, so can you and I.
I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to young and mature adults alike, as well as lovers of mystery, adventure, and crime thrillers. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
******
Beyond the Higher Ground
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
The book, Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger, graciously told the story of a young man named Tuck Mason, who, from the onset of the narrative, was still mourning the loss of his wife Katherine. For some official reasons, Mason was tasked with constructing a local prison on an Appalachian mountain in Wells County, Virginia. But with the job came the need for a change in location. This prompted Mason to start seeking a place to rent in the new locality after being advised by a friend to stay out of motels as they weren't suitable for long-term habitation. Mason ended up renting a 3-bedroom apartment on Mills Hollow Road for approximately a year and a half. Certain unexplainable turns of events, however, made him realize that his presence wasn't really welcome there, but that didn't deter him anyway. He immersed himself in his work, but constant suggestions and warnings to leave the house, both from his friends and neighbors, heightened his curiosity and plunged him into investigation mode. He refused to rest on his oars until peace prevailed.
The character development was great. The author's vivid description of the environment alongside the characters was applaudable. It made it easier for the reader to understand the rationale behind the choices made by each character, especially the protagonist, Tuck Mason. I could practically see the troubles that waged war in his mind; his struggles, his pain, even his emotions at each given time. I could attribute this to the author's deft usage of flashbacks.
The book is filled with suspense, piled layer upon layer. Unlike many books where the reader can guess the next turn of events, this happens to be different here. You just can't foresee the next big thing until it lands on your doorstep. I really loved the author's use of the southern accent in some of the conversations with the locals. It had a way of keeping the readers' imaginations active. I also appreciated how the author interlaced humor with very sensitive issues such as drug abuse, grief, and many other issues that were raised in the book. It had a subtle way of driving the point home.
There's literally nothing that I disliked about this book. It seemed to be professionally well edited, as I didn't notice any errors. There were also several lessons to be learned, ranging from parenting tips to the dangers of drug abuse and tips for daily living. Mason is proof that, despite having a rough past, one can scale through. His secret was to take the journey one step at a time and deal with each issue as it arose. If he could survive, so can you and I.
I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to young and mature adults alike, as well as lovers of mystery, adventure, and crime thrillers. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
******
Beyond the Higher Ground
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Without Redemption by David Griffith
