Review by Slater678 -- Without Redemption by David Griffith

Harty Muli · Post by **Harty Muli** » 20 Jun 2020, 07:06

[Following is a volunteer review of "Without Redemption" by David Griffith.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Without Redemption, the aptly named novel by David Griffith stands as a warning to a would-be addict that nothing is fulfilling about taking drugs. For some people, nevertheless, drugs may have been forced on them as a means of eking out a living and escaping their harsh economic realities. All the same, for such individuals, the inevitable addiction, soon, set in and became an integral part of their essence. Unable to help themselves out of their situation, a chance and redeeming opportunity may just come their way.

After a horse-riding accident, Lonnie Bowers—an intelligence specialist, and a part-time rodeo cowboy—is worried about fending for his young family. With a broken arm, he’s hardly in the tip-top condition required to keep a steady hand against drug traffickers, let alone ride a bronco. Cognizant of what his star agent is thinking, Frederick, his boss, feels obliged to come up with some job to tide Lonnie over as he recovers from his injuries. Soon, tickets in hand and a simple reconnaissance mission to undertake for Frederick, it all seems like the perfect holiday send-off for the Bowers as they head over to Costa Rica.

This novel is the third book in the Border series and can be enjoyed as a standalone. Griffith won me over with his writing style that brought nostalgic feelings of a supposedly simpler, more attuned, pastoral way of life. Furthermore, his language is full of imagery (like, “we piled down the stairs and onto the tarmac like lost arctic ptarmigans”), has plenty of Spanish words, cleverly incorporated in sentences that, from the context, didn’t need elaborating.

Appropriately, Lonnie is portrayed as the typical cowboy that is full of compassion, integrity, and love for his woman. I, also, liked the thinly veiled spiritual undertone, in the story, which supported the overarching themes of redemption and drug abuse. While all these different aspects worked harmoniously to increase the pace of the novel, it’s the copious amount of action that took first place in my heart. I was simply wowed by the plot that featured a one-handed man, fighting off drug traffickers in the middle of the jungle, all the while, accompanied by his beautiful wife and baby.

As I finish, there is plenty of positive things to say about this rodeo and western romance story, including the almost flawless editing. For this reason, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

Any mature reader who likes sordid stories involving drugs and gang-style executions will, most certainly, enjoy this novel. Supremely, the dramatic ending is well resolved and gives meaning to the premise of the story.

******
Without Redemption
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Standor5865 · Post by **Standor5865** » 21 Jun 2020, 17:17

It's great that the author touches on drug abuse in this novel. I'm interested in reading this book. Nice review.

derialist · Post by **derialist** » 22 Jun 2020, 01:52

It sounds like a great thriller, and I'm glad that it made a positive impression on you. I'm inclined to read it. Thank you.

Tonika632 · Post by **Tonika632** » 23 Jun 2020, 08:57

I like thrillers, and this one has caught my eye. Great review!

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 24 Jun 2020, 07:04

Goodness, your review makes this rodeo romance sound like a three-ring circus. There is a lot going on.

BookBoyP · Post by **BookBoyP** » 24 Jun 2020, 07:39

Lonnie's character intrigues me a lot. There also different themes in this story that are relatable. I'll love to read this book.

Gabrielle Sigaki · Post by **Gabrielle Sigaki** » 24 Jun 2020, 10:31

I have never read a western romance before. This one seems pretty interesting. Also, I really like it when a book stands on its own, but I think I'll try the previous books first. Thanks for the helpful review!

Post by **Christabel Uzoamaka** » 24 Jun 2020, 13:40

Reading the beginning of your review, I thought this was going to be a self-help book, but it isn’t. It sounds quite dangerous, a tale meshing cowboy hood and drug trafficking. This looks to be something to read.

Dee_Robert · Post by **Dee_Robert** » 24 Jun 2020, 14:39

This is a good thriller and I love them
Great Review, it makes me really interested in the book

Ballbender · Post by **Ballbender** » 24 Jun 2020, 15:08

We are sometimes hit with life problems, but we must not let it eat us up. This book gives an update on being an addict. The book is educative and insightful.

Koltrast · Post by **Koltrast** » 25 Jun 2020, 03:48

Wow, this book seems to really pile the complications! Injury, drug traffickers, and a wife and baby to keep safe all at the same time. I'm intrigued, despite thriller not being my go-to genre. Thank you for the review!

Miks_solon · Post by **Miks_solon** » 25 Jun 2020, 07:51

I am intrigued with reading your review! Thank you.

Caffrey_19 · Post by **Caffrey_19** » 25 Jun 2020, 12:14

The book is quite enlightening since it gives an insight into the lives of drug users as well as their sufferings. I enjoyed your review.

Fernando222 · Post by **Fernando222** » 26 Jun 2020, 10:25

I enjoy reading thriller books. It drives my adrenaline up. Your review was a very detailed one.

Harty Muli · Post by **Harty Muli** » 28 Jun 2020, 02:37

Standor5865 wrote: ↑21 Jun 2020, 17:17 It's great that the author touches on drug abuse in this novel. I'm interested in reading this book. Nice review.

Thanks for the kind comments.