Review by maniniliodi -- Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)

maniniliodi · Post by **maniniliodi** » 08 May 2020, 04:39

[Following is a volunteer review of "Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)" by Barry Litherland.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Waves break on Unknown shores

"A stone has fallen in a pool and those ripples are spreading ever outwards, and no one knows where they’ll break.
On unknown shores, I guess."

The book Waves break on Unknown shores by Barry Litherland, explores various themes ranging from friendship, death, troubled family backgrounds and secrets. The intrigue will have you binge-reading the story and eager to unravel the answers to the mystery.

The story takes us on a journey of the endless troubles experienced by two friends, Phil and Wayne, all beginning from the dreadful death of their best friend during the careless days of their childhood. Phill and Wayne have a complex yet irrefutable bond that passes the challenge of time. However, their friendship is often tested by Wayne's impulsive and impetuous actions. Over the course of the story, another childhood friend, Tina, enters the equation. The trio are caught in the darkness of the past and come face-to-face with seemingly insurmountable troubles. Tina's father is hospitalised, Wayne is arrested for breaking and entering, Phill is threatened by dubious men, while an unanswered question is sought after by them all: what is JAYDEE and who has it? Amongst the terrors surrounding this burning question, the greatest nightmare of the town appears like a ghost from the past to leave mayhem and daunting fear in his wake...Tyrone.

What I loved about the book most were the authentically portrayed and utterly plausible characters! Phill is the central figure who's viewpoint is shared throughout. He is characterised by his insecurity, fairness and impeccable sense of sarcasm. Wayne on the other hand, is a character initially painted in a negative light, but then in a brighter one, as we discover his deep-rooted traumas and empathise with him. He is rash and unpredictable, yet very caring and loyal to his loved ones. Tina is the main feminine character strongly illustrated by her intelligence, kindness and empathy. Beyond the central figures, the secondary characters really are the cherry on top! My personal favourites were Simon and Slattery, as they enabled us to really witness Phill resorting to humour as a defence mechanism in difficult situations.

Moreover, the use of language in the story made it a very light and enjoyable read. Hence, this is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys a fun mystery novel, yet doesn't want to be caught in the intensity of mind-boggling plots! Also, the colloquialism and use of intense profanity was a great contributing factor in illustrating a sense of realism in the characters. However, I wouldn't recommend the book to those bothered by excessive use of profanity.

Overall, I was delighted to finish this fresh and unique story feeling pleasantly surprised! It's the first book I've read by Barry Litherland, so I genuinely wasn't sure what to expect! I would highly suggest that any mystery/thriller - lover reads this book. I'd give it 4 out of 4 stars since I felt it was complete, accurately written and contained no visible mistakes that distract you from your reading. Beyond the wonderful use of characterisation by Litherland, the retrospective stream of the plot was very engaging and undoubtedly intertwined with the title. We get slight inferences and ongoing allusions of this idea of one action having unending repercussions in time, like ripples in water once you drop something in it.

"Events I haven’t thought about in years emerge from the mists of the past like they’ve been hiding there, just waiting for that tug on the wire."

******
Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon