Official Review: Animal

Post by **Christabel Uzoamaka** » 24 Jan 2021, 16:35

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Animal" by Munish Batra MD, Keith De Candido.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Animal cruelty is a topic that has, thankfully, received a lot of attention over the years. A lot of people justify cruel animal practices, but they will change their minds after reading Animal by Munish Batra and Keith DeCandido. The authors have successfully woven insight into animal cruelty and an amazingly interesting crime thriller in a story.

A murderer is on the loose. His victims are people that have mistreated animals in one way or another. His MO is to kill his victims in a similar manner that they have treated animals under their care. For example, elephant poachers get their noses taken out, orca trainers get hit with barbed wire, and their stomachs are filled with stone. When a similar case happens in Monrovia, the case file falls into the laps of Detective Michelle Halls. To assist her on the case that he has been working on for over twenty years, An Chang flies into America from Beijing. In their unmasking of this principled killer, one that will only kill those who harm animals, we discover trauma, duty, and gore. Who is this killer, and what has led him to go to such extremes?

While I believe it is a wrong form of justice, this book’s message is relevant and helps put animal cruelty in perspective. No human being wants to go through torture, so why put innocent animals through the same absurd trauma? This, in itself, is one great thing about this novel: it shows just what animals go through and still delivers a great, fast-paced crime story. This book absorbed me from the beginning till the last word.

The authors made use of the omniscient narrative style. The story would also alternate between the past and the present. The authors managed to pull it off excellently. The plot flowed beautifully. Readers can go back in time to understand the killer's motive and still have their heart racing as they come back to the present and follow the detectives’ efforts to capture the killer. I especially loved that the characters were diverse; there were Latinos, Blacks, Indians, and Chinese. The gay community was also represented. There is a character for everyone.

I love this book and rate it 4 out of 4; the only thing I disliked was the extreme form of justice the authors depicted through the murderer. It is not okay to kill people just because you can, no matter what. But I understand this creative decision, as it serves to put animal cruelty in perspective. The execution of the plot was done flawlessly, aside from two minor errors I found. I recommend this book, firstly, to animal rights activists. Anyone who likes a good crime thriller will love Animal. If you hate blood, cursing, and violent killings, do not read this piece. I would warn prospective readers to brace themselves for the ending; there is an unexpected plot twist!

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Animal
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NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Feb 2021, 05:53

This seems like an engaging thriller full of twists that also offers some food for thought concerning animal cruelty. Thank you for your great review!

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 01 Feb 2021, 07:16

Being a passionate animal lover, I appreciate the author's effort to focus on this topic. I'm not sure whether I would enjoy reading about these murders, though.

Vkaur · Post by **Vkaur** » 01 Feb 2021, 16:19

Humans are a great frame for approaching the topic of animal cruelty - bold, yet impressive move by the authors. If I were able to stomach details of blood and gore, I’d certainly read this. By bringing the shock factor of such treatment on a more personal level, and by making the message crystal clear, its confrontational effect on how we view animals sounds all the more powerful. Great review!

Goral · Post by **Goral** » 02 Feb 2021, 00:31

Even I believe that Animals should not be mistreated. Your review has motivated me to read the book and I think I would enjoy it. Thanks for the review!

Post by **Damian Keyes** » 02 Feb 2021, 00:40

Animals should be treated as equal as the humans that take care of them. This murderer concept of an "eye for an eye" may be overboard. I'm drawn in already from this review, that I'm saving it as a book that I want to read this year. Thanks for the review!

Jennifer Garcia 555 · Post by **Jennifer Garcia 555** » 02 Feb 2021, 23:10

I like this authors idea of spot-lighting animal cruelty and turning it into a murder mystery. I will definitely add this my TBR list!

Michael Jerry_ · Post by **Michael Jerry_** » 03 Feb 2021, 18:36

The author's message is relevant but I do not agree with the violent tones towards humans. I agree with the reviewer that it does put animal suffering and maltreatment in perspective.

This is a great review.