Official Review: Death in Central America
Posted: 19 Feb 2021, 13:18
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Death in Central America" by Jack L Hafferkamp.]
Death in Central America by Jack Hafferkamp is a fascinating novel about a group of nine travel writers who are brought together in 1993 for a trip to Central America. The goal of the trip is to promote ecotourism. The group consists of writers who each bring valuable and differing perspectives to the table. There is a seasoned writer, Thomas Tinker, and inexperienced writers, Djuna and Josh. Alexis and Dorothea are a lesbian couple who each write for different newspapers and are looking forward to spending time together on this trip. Kathy, Pat, Lehrer and Buddy are included in the group, each representing different news organizations with varying levels of experience. The dialogue between the writers is interesting and shows how the more experienced travel writers engage with the newer writers by providing valuable background facts about the political and social history of Central America.
The writers are provided with guides who escort them to various tourist areas. At times, armed guards also accompany them due to the hostilities in some areas. Members of the group begin to fear for their safety. Their travels take them to remote small villages where they are isolated. Their guides provide aid and security whenever possible. However, when members of the group don’t speak the language or know the area, it is an unsettling experience when violence erupts.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author was previously a travel writer and this experience adds to the story. The writers in the group seem authentic and their discussions with one another cover topics about travel that are realistic given the situations in which they find themselves. I especially enjoyed instances where Tinker would educate the rest of the group on the history and politics of the area. He had the most experience as a writer and was interesting and informative. It was also helpful for readers to have some background about the area. This was a unique way to provide that information to the readers through the dialogue between the writers. As Tinker was educating the group, he was also educating the readers.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the dialogue between the characters. The descriptions of the writers were vivid, and the dialogue added so much to the story. The group included a wide range of personalities and that was conveyed expertly through their interactions with one another. For example, Buddy is a brash character that says whatever he thinks without regard to how it will be received. The other members of the group are more guarded. Their interactions and frustrations with Buddy are interesting and entertaining.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. Hafferkamp created a group of multi-dimensional characters who were realistic and relatable. In the beginning of the book, it was difficult to keep them all straight because they were all introduced at one time when they met at the airport. However, each character was so unique in description, mannerism and dialogue that this difficulty was quickly overcome. The story has some unexpected twists and turns that made it very difficult to put down.
Although there were some errors in the book, they did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. Therefore, I believe the book was professionally edited. I rate this book four out of four stars because it was an interesting and engaging story that kept me engaged. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in novels about travel to Central America. It would also appeal to readers who enjoy action and adventure. However, there are instances of violence and death (as the title implies) that some readers may want to avoid. There are also sexual situations and profanity that make it inappropriate for young or sensitive readers.
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Death in Central America
View: on Bookshelves
Death in Central America by Jack Hafferkamp is a fascinating novel about a group of nine travel writers who are brought together in 1993 for a trip to Central America. The goal of the trip is to promote ecotourism. The group consists of writers who each bring valuable and differing perspectives to the table. There is a seasoned writer, Thomas Tinker, and inexperienced writers, Djuna and Josh. Alexis and Dorothea are a lesbian couple who each write for different newspapers and are looking forward to spending time together on this trip. Kathy, Pat, Lehrer and Buddy are included in the group, each representing different news organizations with varying levels of experience. The dialogue between the writers is interesting and shows how the more experienced travel writers engage with the newer writers by providing valuable background facts about the political and social history of Central America.
The writers are provided with guides who escort them to various tourist areas. At times, armed guards also accompany them due to the hostilities in some areas. Members of the group begin to fear for their safety. Their travels take them to remote small villages where they are isolated. Their guides provide aid and security whenever possible. However, when members of the group don’t speak the language or know the area, it is an unsettling experience when violence erupts.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author was previously a travel writer and this experience adds to the story. The writers in the group seem authentic and their discussions with one another cover topics about travel that are realistic given the situations in which they find themselves. I especially enjoyed instances where Tinker would educate the rest of the group on the history and politics of the area. He had the most experience as a writer and was interesting and informative. It was also helpful for readers to have some background about the area. This was a unique way to provide that information to the readers through the dialogue between the writers. As Tinker was educating the group, he was also educating the readers.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the dialogue between the characters. The descriptions of the writers were vivid, and the dialogue added so much to the story. The group included a wide range of personalities and that was conveyed expertly through their interactions with one another. For example, Buddy is a brash character that says whatever he thinks without regard to how it will be received. The other members of the group are more guarded. Their interactions and frustrations with Buddy are interesting and entertaining.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. Hafferkamp created a group of multi-dimensional characters who were realistic and relatable. In the beginning of the book, it was difficult to keep them all straight because they were all introduced at one time when they met at the airport. However, each character was so unique in description, mannerism and dialogue that this difficulty was quickly overcome. The story has some unexpected twists and turns that made it very difficult to put down.
Although there were some errors in the book, they did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. Therefore, I believe the book was professionally edited. I rate this book four out of four stars because it was an interesting and engaging story that kept me engaged. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in novels about travel to Central America. It would also appeal to readers who enjoy action and adventure. However, there are instances of violence and death (as the title implies) that some readers may want to avoid. There are also sexual situations and profanity that make it inappropriate for young or sensitive readers.
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Death in Central America
View: on Bookshelves
