Review by Don Pwai -- Arsenic and Old Men by Glenn Ickler

[Don Pwai]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Arsenic and Old Men" by Glenn Ickler.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Journalism and investigations can really be an interesting art. It is the only way through which the general public learns the truth about the events that actually transpired in a given place and at a given time. The novel Arsenic And Old Men by Glenn Ickler is a fictional novel about three buddies; Dave, Allan and Mitch who are on a mission to unearth the cause of death of Walter Jerome. Walter Jerome is the uncle of Dave and has just died under mysterious circumstances. He wills all his property to Dave since he is his only surviving relative. Allan and Mitch together with their wives leaves their busy schedules to accompany Dave from Minnesota to go and meet his uncle Walter’s attorney for purposes of succession and to take care of his burial. Later, they learn following an autopsy that Walter has died of Arsenic poisoning. But who might have poisoned him? Who had always threatened his life while he was alive? It thus dawns on them that his death might not have been a natural death. They set out on a mission to investigate his death with the with the aim of finding the persons responsible for his murder and informing the public about the same.

I loved the suspense that ensues after Allan, Mitch and Dave set out to find the cause of Walter Jerome’s death. I was interested in learning whether they would succeed in such a dangerous mission. The suspense is further increased the police who appears to be working in opposite sides with them. Who will find out the murderers of uncle Walter? Whose information will the public entrust? Will they succeed in their venture? These are questions that I could not help but ask myself in the midst of such suspense. I guess the suspense increased my desire to read the book and to learn more about what happened next. I was inquisitive on the fate of the protagonist and the eventuality of their investigations. The use of suspense made this novel highly engaging.

Secondly I loved this book straight from its setting. The author introduces the narration in a humorous manner and that was lovely. The manner Lawyer Rylander was conducting himself at the setting is quite exhilarating. I found his behaviour awkward and entertaining at the same time. However, his humorous side did not perturb me from mastering this book’s flow. I grasped its line of narration straight from its setting. I had no trouble knowing that this was a book about investigative journalism right from the beginning. The manner in which the author interconnects the chapters is just fantastic. It is easy to discern the narrations in one chapter and connect it with the proceeding chapters. That was lovely.

Another feature I loved in this novel are the themes. The author discusses themes that reflects the society including wills and attestations, extra judicial-killings, incompetent police service and media journalism. These are themes that happen in the society and avid readers can easily associate with them. The book was thus enlightening from that perspective. Moreover, the themes are interrelated. It was thus easier creating a connection in the novel content. That aided in the novel's mastery.

I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars. It had a compelling content and interrelated themes that depicts the real society. Moreover, the novel is exceptionally well edited. There is nothing I disliked therein hence could not deduct a star. I recommend it to all persons interested in investigative journalism. They would love and learn from the actions of Dave, Allan and Mitch in unearthing the death of Uncle Walt. Persons who have no interest in media and investigative journalism may try other novels.

******
Arsenic and Old Men
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon