Review of The Loch
Posted: 17 Nov 2021, 15:28
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Loch" by Dee Taylor.]
Many tales abound of Loch Ness and its legendary monster. Some think it’s an ancient plesiosaur, and others suspect it’s a giant eel. Skeptics believe it’s a figment of overactive imaginations. Explore these possibilities and more in The Loch by Dee Taylor. Jack Armstrong spent years as a professional diver before meeting his girlfriend, Tina. Set in the summer of 1967, their unlikely romance takes them from a seedy nightclub in Aberdeen to the murky shores of Loch Ness. As they become engrossed in monster lore, another age-old mystery entices them to go hunting for a lost treasure. Along the way, Jack and Tina make friends and foes. Among them, they meet a brawny Highlander called Red Angus. As the drama unfolds and tensions rise, will the gloomy depths reveal their secrets?
The intriguing cover art features an abstract painting of Loch Ness and part of the surrounding hillside. I like the way the painting depicts the deceptively calm waters of the lake, while the color scheme and bold brushstrokes hint at the potential danger within. The gold font complements the artwork and clearly displays the book’s title and the author’s name. The themes of the story include action, adventure, mystery, fishing, and cryptozoology. There is an upsetting scene where an attempted rape occurs, so readers should be aware. The text also contains inexplicit details of consensual sex. Gory violence and profanity are also recurring elements.
I like the complexity of the characters and their fascinating backstories. They each have their strengths and their flaws; this makes them believable and relatable. They also showcase the stark contrast between male and female tendencies. Jack is an average guy. He seeks a comfortable life with Tina, but his jealousy often gets the better of him. As she hopes to settle down with Jack, Tina is torn between her promiscuous past and thoughts of the future. Things change after a drunken rant reveals the truth. Red Angus is a multifaceted character. He is brutal at times, but he can also be mischievous, gentle, and understanding. Red is certainly the most interesting person in the story. Then there are the despicable Barsh brothers. Their greed knows no bounds. Other minor characters help the plot come together.
There were several things I liked about this entertaining story. I cannot overstate how much I adored the author’s vivid writing style! Mr. Taylor was very skilled at setting the scene and describing the sights, sounds, and scents of the environment. I felt like I was actually there. The character descriptions were also very clear. He even included details about their clothing. He expertly utilized literary devices, such as foreshadowing and suspense. The drama had me on the edge of my seat! Then after all my guesswork, I was rewarded with an exciting and unexpected ending.
However, there were a few issues with the story. First of all, Tina’s character was an overemotional female stereotype. She was always ready to burst into tears for the slightest thing. I’m an emotional person, but her constant blubbering was too much for me. Second, after all of their contributions to the story, one of the main characters was quickly disposed of as if they weren’t important. I found that their exit was too anticlimactic. Additionally, there were some confusing instances when the scene switched and the main characters were vaguely called “he” and “she.” So, I was left wondering who was performing the action. I also found more than ten errors.
I have always been fascinated by the Loch Ness Monster. So, this book was right up my alley. I have chosen to rate The Loch by Dee Taylor three out of four stars. I deducted a star mainly due to the number of errors I found. The plot delivered the adventure, violence, and treachery that was promised on the cover. There was also some romance, but it wasn’t the idealized type. In my opinion, there was more lust than love. Mr. Taylor combined his passion for art, his fishing expertise, and his explorations of Loch Ness in this publication. This would make a great screenplay for a movie, and I would recommend it to readers who are interested in action, drama, Scottish history, and cryptozoology. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
******
The Loch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Many tales abound of Loch Ness and its legendary monster. Some think it’s an ancient plesiosaur, and others suspect it’s a giant eel. Skeptics believe it’s a figment of overactive imaginations. Explore these possibilities and more in The Loch by Dee Taylor. Jack Armstrong spent years as a professional diver before meeting his girlfriend, Tina. Set in the summer of 1967, their unlikely romance takes them from a seedy nightclub in Aberdeen to the murky shores of Loch Ness. As they become engrossed in monster lore, another age-old mystery entices them to go hunting for a lost treasure. Along the way, Jack and Tina make friends and foes. Among them, they meet a brawny Highlander called Red Angus. As the drama unfolds and tensions rise, will the gloomy depths reveal their secrets?
The intriguing cover art features an abstract painting of Loch Ness and part of the surrounding hillside. I like the way the painting depicts the deceptively calm waters of the lake, while the color scheme and bold brushstrokes hint at the potential danger within. The gold font complements the artwork and clearly displays the book’s title and the author’s name. The themes of the story include action, adventure, mystery, fishing, and cryptozoology. There is an upsetting scene where an attempted rape occurs, so readers should be aware. The text also contains inexplicit details of consensual sex. Gory violence and profanity are also recurring elements.
I like the complexity of the characters and their fascinating backstories. They each have their strengths and their flaws; this makes them believable and relatable. They also showcase the stark contrast between male and female tendencies. Jack is an average guy. He seeks a comfortable life with Tina, but his jealousy often gets the better of him. As she hopes to settle down with Jack, Tina is torn between her promiscuous past and thoughts of the future. Things change after a drunken rant reveals the truth. Red Angus is a multifaceted character. He is brutal at times, but he can also be mischievous, gentle, and understanding. Red is certainly the most interesting person in the story. Then there are the despicable Barsh brothers. Their greed knows no bounds. Other minor characters help the plot come together.
There were several things I liked about this entertaining story. I cannot overstate how much I adored the author’s vivid writing style! Mr. Taylor was very skilled at setting the scene and describing the sights, sounds, and scents of the environment. I felt like I was actually there. The character descriptions were also very clear. He even included details about their clothing. He expertly utilized literary devices, such as foreshadowing and suspense. The drama had me on the edge of my seat! Then after all my guesswork, I was rewarded with an exciting and unexpected ending.
However, there were a few issues with the story. First of all, Tina’s character was an overemotional female stereotype. She was always ready to burst into tears for the slightest thing. I’m an emotional person, but her constant blubbering was too much for me. Second, after all of their contributions to the story, one of the main characters was quickly disposed of as if they weren’t important. I found that their exit was too anticlimactic. Additionally, there were some confusing instances when the scene switched and the main characters were vaguely called “he” and “she.” So, I was left wondering who was performing the action. I also found more than ten errors.
I have always been fascinated by the Loch Ness Monster. So, this book was right up my alley. I have chosen to rate The Loch by Dee Taylor three out of four stars. I deducted a star mainly due to the number of errors I found. The plot delivered the adventure, violence, and treachery that was promised on the cover. There was also some romance, but it wasn’t the idealized type. In my opinion, there was more lust than love. Mr. Taylor combined his passion for art, his fishing expertise, and his explorations of Loch Ness in this publication. This would make a great screenplay for a movie, and I would recommend it to readers who are interested in action, drama, Scottish history, and cryptozoology. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
******
The Loch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
