Official Review: Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig

[Reva Parker]

Thank you for your informative review. I'm not sure I understand about the two different stories though.I'm going to pass on this, but I hope there are many mystery and crime thriller readers out there that will enjoy it.I'm not sure if you didn't like the ending because it didn't make sense to you or because you thought it would end a different way. Either, I guess in that sense it was a little suspenseful at least.

[Ruchi Jani]

The prologue itself has me gripped! I sampled a few pages on Amazon and as a crime and mystery enthusiast (really not sure if this is a good thing to be)most watched murder footage is the way to go!
I am looking forward to reading the entire book and see how rosslyn is caught! (I hope he is)

[Jovounie Miller]

Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig is a gripping crime/mystery novel that follows the journey of Samson "Sam" Young, a criminal defense attorney based in Bennet County, Virginia. While Sam occasionally takes cases under the radar to help those in need, a new case hits closer to home when he agrees to assist his late mother’s friends—Camille Paradisi and Father Andrada—with a chilling investigation into a serial killer dubbed the Rosslyn Ripper.
The Rosslyn Ripper is believed to be responsible for three gruesome murders. When Father Andrada hears a confession that could potentially reveal the killer’s identity, he finds himself torn between his moral obligation to protect the sacred confidentiality of confession and the desire to stop a murderer. Sam takes it upon himself to investigate privately, shielding Father Andrada while trying to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, mysterious journal pages begin arriving at the church, allegedly written by the killer, and Camille sends them to Sam to aid in his investigation. These pages unfold a second story—one that is both enthralling and deeply personal.
What sets Almost Mortal apart is its dual narrative structure. The novel intricately weaves Sam’s investigation with the enigmatic story from the journal. While I found both storylines compelling, I was especially drawn to the journal entries, which were rich with detail, emotion, and philosophical undertones. The writer’s style in these entries is notably distinct—so vivid and immersive that I felt transported to each location, from the mystical landscapes of Bariloche, Argentina, to the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba, and the bustling life of Miami, USA. These passages often pose deep, reflective questions about God, morality, and purpose, adding a thoughtful layer to the suspense.
Sam’s side of the story offers a more grounded and emotional experience. His past, shaped by the loss of his parents, adds depth to his character and explains his commitment to justice and his struggles with faith and addiction. While I initially wished for more development of the supporting characters, I came to appreciate the author’s restraint. Revealing too much might have diluted the mystery and lessened the story’s impact.
Leibig's storytelling is seamless, shifting between the two narratives without ever confusing. The book is impressively edited; I found only two minor errors despite my attentive reading. The pacing is well-balanced, but I hoped for more suspense and a slightly more impactful ending. Still, these are minor criticisms in an otherwise engaging read.
I would rate Almost Mortal 3 out of 4 stars. Though it didn’t satisfy my craving for suspense, the captivating journal narrative and the thought-provoking themes make this a worthwhile read. I recommend this book to fans of crime and mystery novels, especially those who appreciate a psychological and philosophical edge. While there are romantic elements, they are secondary, and the presence of mild sexual content makes this more suitable for a mature audience.

[twinkle09]

Sam's character as he tries to catch the serial killer, is interesting to read. The plot and storyline make the book more thrilling. I am eager to read the book. Thanks for an honest and beautiful review!

[Dayana Alvarado 1]

Throughout Almost Mortal, Sam is all about confronting who he really is beyond his profession what he does for others or how others see him.

[Carole Kendall]

I enjoy crime thrillers and this one about a serial killer sounds interesting. I enjoyed the writing style in the sample of the book, and plan to read it.

[Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez]

Sam Young is a criminal defense attorney. When asked to help on the Rosslyn Ripper case, he immediately accepted, but this case is not as easy as one usually imagines. The more he gets involved with the case, the more mysterious the case gets. What is the real story behind the Rosslyn Ripper?

[Harshitha G B]

"Almost Mortal" by Christopher Leibig is Mystery Thriller that includes, lawyer handling out murder case even knowing about commited crime. The essence of story is, how they will deal the story by keeping curiosity track.

[Leonie Vermaak]

Oh wow now this sounds intriguing!!! It sounds very complex but so so interesting. I like that it has a 2 sided stroy, the one of the Ripper and the one of Sam. It always makes it so more engaging to know what goes on in both sides minds. Thanks for a great review. Congrats on BOTD.

[Leen282]

Reading the review with the comment about the ending not being quite as expected, a comment that it was a bizarre twist and another comment about an unpredictable ending - I am not sure what to think of it. I like crime and suspense novels, I like novels about lawyers getting challenging cases, I like the description of the novel containing two stories. And I love Argentina so a book where someone travels through Bariloche is also a plus.

[Iloh Ikechukwu]

This book would be an interesting one and thank you for not spoiling it, as I can’t wait to see what Sam’s abilities are. Also, what was the purpose of hiding some information from Sam which would help his course. Thank you for your honest review.

[Gerlane Silva]

PArece ser um livro bem recebido que oferece uma mistura única de suspense legal e mistério sobrenatural. Os leitores que gostam de enredos intrincados, personagens interessantes e um toque do paranormal podem achar isso particularmente envolvente. No entanto, aqueles que procuram um thriller jurídico direto com alto suspense do início ao fim podem querer estar cientes dos outros elementos da história. Eu adoraria ler isso.

[Lilyán Navarro-Lytle]

Thanks to an excellent review by Online Books Club's Okafor Prosper, I know I do not want to read Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig. It's true that I am not someone who is inclined to read crime thrillers. I do not like violence and am uncomfortable reading stories that include the killer's point of view. Thanks to Mr. Prosper giving us enough details without any spoilers and the excerpt that I read earlier, I know this book is not my cup of tea.

[Chinazo Anozie]

I love the CTMH genre, so I'll read Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig to learn more about Sam and X.

[Ngozi Onyibor]

The book has an intriguing plot, particularly because serial killers rarely confess their crimes until they are caught. I can't wait to see how Sam figures out the culprit.