Review of Check
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Review of Check
Check by Michael Burton is a fictional tale of espionage, drug trafficking, murder, torture, abuse, and living life like a chess game. In 2002, Scott Norris, his wife, Julie, and their nine-year-old son, Noah, take Scott's 78-year-old father, Miles, to the Better Life Spa (BLS). Miles is uncommunicative, and it was suspected that he had a stroke after his wife, June, died. Miles had moved in with Scott after an assisted living center in Florida ruled that he was a danger to himself and others. Things did not work out for them, and Scott decides on the BLS because they have a good reputation for treating Alzheimer's disease and is one of six Alzheimer Study Groups. The BLS is located on the old Morehouse plantation in Virginia and is decorated with Civil War relics. Miles does not have a good relationship with his family because he used to sell specialized computer hardware, which required European travel, and he was never home. Miles used to be a chess player and was once ranked with the US Chess Foundation. During the BLS orientation interview, Miles appears unable to comprehend anything going on around him. Chief of Medical Staff, Dr. Lee, uses a therapeutic approach to deal with Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive loss. So, what does this have to do with espionage, drug trafficking, murder, torture, abuse, and a chess game?
There are few positive aspects to this fast-paced, action-packed book. Michael Burton has developed each of the characters realistically. I could visualize each character regardless if they were being tortured in a Prisoner of War camp, a staff member or resident at the BLS, or a family member. I could sense their emotions of loss, pride, fear, pain, confusion, and depression. I appreciate that I did not have to be a chess player to understand the actions that were called chess moves. Mr. Burton adequately explained each of them. At the end of each day, Miles's journal entries recapped what I had just read and ensured that I did not miss anything important. There are a few German words, but their English translations are in parentheses, so I understood what was being related.
I have to say that parts of this book were difficult for me to read. The scenes involving torture and abuse were not only gory but also cold emotionally. It is hard for me to understand people without feelings or empathy.
I am confident that a professional editor has edited this book as there were only two minor errors that they could have easily missed. There is absolutely no reason for me to give this well-written book less than 4 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down.
I recommend this book to adult readers who enjoy fictional books about espionage, the CIA, nursing homes, and Alzheimer's disease. I do not recommend this book to younger readers because of the gory parts, and some of the content does have borderline profanity that may not be appropriate. If you do not like scenes involving torture or abuse, you will want to avoid this book.
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Check
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