Review by Courtney_n_davis2 -- Duplicity by Fin C Gray
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Courtney_n_davis2
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- Latest Review: Duplicity by Fin C Gray
Review by Courtney_n_davis2 -- Duplicity by Fin C Gray
[Following is a volunteer review of "Duplicity" by Fin C Gray.]
Duplicity by Fin C Gray is not only a realistic crime story exploring terrorism, but it is also the story of a young man’s unraveling and its impact on his family. The novel switches back and forth from the son Daniel, beginning with childhood trauma and ending with his ultimate unraveling, to Daniel’s father Tom, dealing with marital issues at the start of the novel and dealing with the many repercussions of his earlier selfishness at the end of the novel. Duplicity is a crime story that does not focus solely on the crime and its resolution, but on the criminal before the crime and the aftermath of his destruction.
What I liked most about this book was the way the author delved into the family structure. The father Tom is probably the most dynamic character. The reader sees how Tom matures throughout the novel, shifting from his own selfish desires to caring for his devoted wife and their troubled son. Gray also portrays son Daniel in a rather uncharacteristically sympathetic manner. Despite his actions, we can feel sorry for Daniel due to the extreme betrayal and loss he has experienced in his family and later in his troubled relationship with his roommate/friend.
Without question, the thing I disliked most about this book was the amount of violence. Of course, this was to be expected from a crime story dealing with terrorism. However, much of the violence described was extraneous, in my opinion. These sections are not for the weak of heart (or stomach).
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book appears to be professionally edited, and it is entirely original. As a lover of crime stories, I have very rarely encountered a novel that provides such a well-balanced account of what led up to the crime, the crime itself, and the consequences of the crime. For this reason, the crime, although terrible and unpardonable, is not completely unexpected. The amount of trauma this character has faced is almost unimaginable. Furthermore, the fact that the novel continues after the crime’s resolution and examines its impact on not only the victims, but on the criminal’s loved ones, is also rare. So often, in crime stories as well as in real life, we hear about the victims and their families. We do not often think about the loss the perpetrator’s family faces when forced to accept what has happened. This novel is simply one of a kind.
I would recommend this book to those who love a good crime story. It is also a good story of how old hurts can lead to truly terrible consequences. A father’s indiscretions, some out of his control, greatly impact his son’s emotional development and actions. It is worth the time of fathers wanting to nurture the difficult child, but it is also a good read for any child who has experienced betrayal or failure from a parent. The book is extremely graphic at times, so I do not recommend it for younger readers.
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Duplicity
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Duplicity by Fin C Gray is not only a realistic crime story exploring terrorism, but it is also the story of a young man’s unraveling and its impact on his family. The novel switches back and forth from the son Daniel, beginning with childhood trauma and ending with his ultimate unraveling, to Daniel’s father Tom, dealing with marital issues at the start of the novel and dealing with the many repercussions of his earlier selfishness at the end of the novel. Duplicity is a crime story that does not focus solely on the crime and its resolution, but on the criminal before the crime and the aftermath of his destruction.
What I liked most about this book was the way the author delved into the family structure. The father Tom is probably the most dynamic character. The reader sees how Tom matures throughout the novel, shifting from his own selfish desires to caring for his devoted wife and their troubled son. Gray also portrays son Daniel in a rather uncharacteristically sympathetic manner. Despite his actions, we can feel sorry for Daniel due to the extreme betrayal and loss he has experienced in his family and later in his troubled relationship with his roommate/friend.
Without question, the thing I disliked most about this book was the amount of violence. Of course, this was to be expected from a crime story dealing with terrorism. However, much of the violence described was extraneous, in my opinion. These sections are not for the weak of heart (or stomach).
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book appears to be professionally edited, and it is entirely original. As a lover of crime stories, I have very rarely encountered a novel that provides such a well-balanced account of what led up to the crime, the crime itself, and the consequences of the crime. For this reason, the crime, although terrible and unpardonable, is not completely unexpected. The amount of trauma this character has faced is almost unimaginable. Furthermore, the fact that the novel continues after the crime’s resolution and examines its impact on not only the victims, but on the criminal’s loved ones, is also rare. So often, in crime stories as well as in real life, we hear about the victims and their families. We do not often think about the loss the perpetrator’s family faces when forced to accept what has happened. This novel is simply one of a kind.
I would recommend this book to those who love a good crime story. It is also a good story of how old hurts can lead to truly terrible consequences. A father’s indiscretions, some out of his control, greatly impact his son’s emotional development and actions. It is worth the time of fathers wanting to nurture the difficult child, but it is also a good read for any child who has experienced betrayal or failure from a parent. The book is extremely graphic at times, so I do not recommend it for younger readers.
******
Duplicity
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Duplicity by Fin C Gray
