Review by ReaderDean -- Guilt by David Taylor Black
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ReaderDean
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Review by ReaderDean -- Guilt by David Taylor Black
[Following is a volunteer review of "Guilt" by David Taylor Black.]
4 out of 4 stars
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If You’re a person who likes good mystery thrillers, then you’ll enjoy Guilt, by David Taylor Black. Not only is Guilt a taut thriller, full of suspense and intrigue, but also it is a well-written, well-thought-out story with well-rounded characters.
The main character, Dan Harris, came to the Bahamas only a few months after the tragic death of his young son. He had separated from his wife, and he had come to Hope Town to put some distance between the two of them and to finish his current book. There he met the eccentric Cat, a seemingly carefree woman with nothing to hide, but who at times confused him with her actions and attitudes. While together, they found a dead body that had washed up onshore from the ocean, and Dan became an unlikely suspect in the murder. So began a frantic chain of events that include more bodies and more accusations as Dan tries to clear his name, reconnect with his estranged wife, and deal with the death of his son.
Guilt is a complex mystery novel, one that takes concentration to read and understand. That being said, it is not a difficult book. It is only somewhat challenging to remember who did what unless you are paying attention. The characters shift their attitudes and what they believe frequently, as do real human beings. This gives the action an added layer of realism, but it also requires of the reader some attention to keep everything straight.
One thing in particular I liked about this novel is the individualness of each character. Each one was not only well-rounded, but each had his or her own idioms, rhythms, and accents. Since this story was set in the Bahamas, some of the Bahamian patois was included in the speech of the native population. This added to the flavor of the story and kept the reader aware that the exotic setting.
The book was exceptionally well-edited. In the copy I read, I did not find any errors.
The only negative I found was that sometimes the story got somewhat bogged down in details. Was it really necessary to spend multiple pages describing a fist-fight? Perhaps not. But those times aside, Guilt is a fast-paced, tense, plot-driven novel with an unusual twist in the end.
This novel may not be for everyone. It’s quite violent, with some disturbingly descriptive scenes of dead bodies, fights, and murders. There is no profanity or sex, yet it isn’t a book for children. Adults, including young adults, who enjoy mystery thrillers, should enjoy this one. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars for a well-told tale with plenty of action and a surprise ending.
******
Guilt
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
If You’re a person who likes good mystery thrillers, then you’ll enjoy Guilt, by David Taylor Black. Not only is Guilt a taut thriller, full of suspense and intrigue, but also it is a well-written, well-thought-out story with well-rounded characters.
The main character, Dan Harris, came to the Bahamas only a few months after the tragic death of his young son. He had separated from his wife, and he had come to Hope Town to put some distance between the two of them and to finish his current book. There he met the eccentric Cat, a seemingly carefree woman with nothing to hide, but who at times confused him with her actions and attitudes. While together, they found a dead body that had washed up onshore from the ocean, and Dan became an unlikely suspect in the murder. So began a frantic chain of events that include more bodies and more accusations as Dan tries to clear his name, reconnect with his estranged wife, and deal with the death of his son.
Guilt is a complex mystery novel, one that takes concentration to read and understand. That being said, it is not a difficult book. It is only somewhat challenging to remember who did what unless you are paying attention. The characters shift their attitudes and what they believe frequently, as do real human beings. This gives the action an added layer of realism, but it also requires of the reader some attention to keep everything straight.
One thing in particular I liked about this novel is the individualness of each character. Each one was not only well-rounded, but each had his or her own idioms, rhythms, and accents. Since this story was set in the Bahamas, some of the Bahamian patois was included in the speech of the native population. This added to the flavor of the story and kept the reader aware that the exotic setting.
The book was exceptionally well-edited. In the copy I read, I did not find any errors.
The only negative I found was that sometimes the story got somewhat bogged down in details. Was it really necessary to spend multiple pages describing a fist-fight? Perhaps not. But those times aside, Guilt is a fast-paced, tense, plot-driven novel with an unusual twist in the end.
This novel may not be for everyone. It’s quite violent, with some disturbingly descriptive scenes of dead bodies, fights, and murders. There is no profanity or sex, yet it isn’t a book for children. Adults, including young adults, who enjoy mystery thrillers, should enjoy this one. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars for a well-told tale with plenty of action and a surprise ending.
******
Guilt
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Project Tau by Jude Austin
