Review of Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .
Posted: 24 Oct 2024, 13:42
[Following is a volunteer review of "Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . ." by Jody B. Miller.]
“Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .” by Jody B. Miller is, as the title suggests, a mystery for readers to solve. The book has three stories, and they are all connected in some way, like pieces of a puzzle. The author wants readers to figure out how these stories fit together and solve the mystery. The author had also provided an email address to which readers could send their conclusions.
I have read two other books by J. B. Miller, but this one is on a whole other level. I finished it in one go and was able to find some connections. It was really an exciting journey for me; connecting the dots in the stories was very engaging.
The first story, ‘Is P,L My Half Brother?,’ is about a narrator trying to find their half-brother, whose existence was recently revealed by their father, who, driven by guilt and affected by Alzheimer’s, felt compelled to share the truth. This story portrays the emotional trauma of an unstable family exceptionally well. The different dynamics and struggles are depicted vividly; one could easily relate them to real-life struggles.
The second story, ‘Tweeker,’ was very dark. It tells the story of a woman struggling with drug addiction. The lack of affection from family members and the common tendency to escape reality to avoid pain are challenges that some individuals face, and these are clearly evident in her experience. I wouldn’t recommend this story to young readers because, although it sheds light on the harsh realities of addiction and serves as an eye-opener, its dark themes, including profanity and sexual content, could be overwhelming and emotionally heavy, making readers feel sad or hopeless. While the story is insightful, its intensity may not be suitable for all audiences.
The third story, ‘The Recruiter,’ was my favorite. It is about a hardworking institutional salesman named Bill and how he grapples with what life throws at him. I also liked the character Elisabeth, who played a very important role in the story. This story has all the elements of action, suspense, drama, twisted affairs, and unexpected love. It was an exciting and comforting read.
All the stories were interconnected in some way. I couldn’t solve all the mysteries, even after doing a quick second scan. There are still some unanswered plot twists calling out to me. If you are up for a challenging read, get a copy and dig in. As for the editing, the book is impeccably edited; I found just a single typo. And there’s nothing I dislike about this book. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend it to adult readers who are interested in mysteries that explore the nature of truth. If you can figure out how the stories connect, you may be acknowledged by the author in the next volume for being spot on.
******
Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .” by Jody B. Miller is, as the title suggests, a mystery for readers to solve. The book has three stories, and they are all connected in some way, like pieces of a puzzle. The author wants readers to figure out how these stories fit together and solve the mystery. The author had also provided an email address to which readers could send their conclusions.
I have read two other books by J. B. Miller, but this one is on a whole other level. I finished it in one go and was able to find some connections. It was really an exciting journey for me; connecting the dots in the stories was very engaging.
The first story, ‘Is P,L My Half Brother?,’ is about a narrator trying to find their half-brother, whose existence was recently revealed by their father, who, driven by guilt and affected by Alzheimer’s, felt compelled to share the truth. This story portrays the emotional trauma of an unstable family exceptionally well. The different dynamics and struggles are depicted vividly; one could easily relate them to real-life struggles.
The second story, ‘Tweeker,’ was very dark. It tells the story of a woman struggling with drug addiction. The lack of affection from family members and the common tendency to escape reality to avoid pain are challenges that some individuals face, and these are clearly evident in her experience. I wouldn’t recommend this story to young readers because, although it sheds light on the harsh realities of addiction and serves as an eye-opener, its dark themes, including profanity and sexual content, could be overwhelming and emotionally heavy, making readers feel sad or hopeless. While the story is insightful, its intensity may not be suitable for all audiences.
The third story, ‘The Recruiter,’ was my favorite. It is about a hardworking institutional salesman named Bill and how he grapples with what life throws at him. I also liked the character Elisabeth, who played a very important role in the story. This story has all the elements of action, suspense, drama, twisted affairs, and unexpected love. It was an exciting and comforting read.
All the stories were interconnected in some way. I couldn’t solve all the mysteries, even after doing a quick second scan. There are still some unanswered plot twists calling out to me. If you are up for a challenging read, get a copy and dig in. As for the editing, the book is impeccably edited; I found just a single typo. And there’s nothing I dislike about this book. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend it to adult readers who are interested in mysteries that explore the nature of truth. If you can figure out how the stories connect, you may be acknowledged by the author in the next volume for being spot on.
******
Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon