Review of Restricted Options

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 11 Apr 2022, 05:18

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Restricted Options" by Tom Oglesby.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Restricted Options is a crime and murder mystery written by Tom Oglesby. Set in Rio, Brazil, this novel follows the lives of Mark and his wife, Sara, as they try to solve the murders of their beloved expatriate friends. Mark and his wife, Sara, take a flight from Houston to Rio for Mark’s new assignment as the president of Titan’s affiliate company based in Brazil. Mark has been assigned to preside over the negotiations and bids that would see Titan partner with a Brazilian oil giant, Petrobras, in oil exploration ventures. The assignment means a lot to Mark, as it will greatly impact his career growth. Mark is also ecstatic to meet his colleague and best friend, Norm Nielsen, also working and living in Rio. However, not long in Rio, Mark discovers the bodies of Norm and his wife, Lisa, brutally murdered in their apartment.

Consequently, he informs the local law enforcement, but the investigation comes to a dead end and is dropped due to insufficient incriminating evidence. However, Mark could not agree to that and was determined to find justice for his slain friends. Bit by bit, with the help of his FBI friends, he begins to piece together the pieces of the puzzle, hoping to put the perpetrator(s) to justice one day. How will Mark balance his business obligations and new-found sleuthing duties? But one thing was for sure: this was going to be a tough, dangerous mission, full of turns and twists, and success was far from guaranteed.

There were many things I liked about this book. First, I liked how the author presented the possible perpetrators and their motives early enough in the story. The various possible suspects kept me guessing until the book’s later chapters, after which things started to make sense. The characters’ backgrounds were also sufficiently given. I also liked how the author exquisitely incorporated factual, informative details about Rio and Brazil. With this, readers will have a credible feeling of how it is to live in Brazil, especially Rio. Everything from the exotic places to the Brazilian hospitality industry was breathtaking. I also appreciated that the author added the pronunciations and translations of common Portuguese phrases used in the book. This added to the richness of the story. The ending was also a pleasant surprise and is not something I could have predicted earlier when I started reading this book. Although there were hints, I didn’t realize them until after a final reveal in the ending, thanks to the author’s expertise in weaving mystery. I also loved the book’s title and cover art. The deeper I entered the book, the more I realized how thoughtful they were.

What I liked the most about this book were the scenes that featured the bidding and business negotiations. As someone in a business profession, I found the scenes engaging, eye-opening, and informative, and I learned a lot from the bidding parties and business negotiations. The fact that I could relate to and identify with most of the characters who engaged in the business negotiations added to my enjoyment of this exceptional novel. There are, indeed, many things to learn from them, and I believe many professionals working in the business field will love that aspect as well.

Overall, I did not find anything to dislike about this novel. It was perfectly edited since I did not find any errors. Therefore, it is my pleasure to give it four out of four stars. I believe it deserves the perfect rating for the author’s apparent literary prowess and exceptional execution.

I recommend Restricted Options to fans of well-executed crime and murder mystery. Business professionals, investors, company executives, and any other reader interested in bidding and business negotiations will also relate to most parts of the book and appreciate it greatly. Furthermore, readers who like to discover new places will love Rio and Brazil’s informative, factual details incorporated by the author.

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Restricted Options
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Aisha Yakub · Post by **Aisha Yakub** » 13 Apr 2022, 10:32

Sounds like this book has an intriguing storyline. I look forward to reading this. Great review.

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 13 Apr 2022, 10:59

I’m involved in the business world and I am a fan of murder mysteries so this novel will be a good fit. The descriptions of Brazil add to my interest.

Patty Allread · Post by **Patty Allread** » 13 Apr 2022, 11:21

It's great when the resolution of a mystery is not given away too early or is too easy to predict. I enjoyed your review.

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 13 Apr 2022, 12:59

Raymond N wrote: ↑13 Apr 2022, 10:32 Sounds like this book has an intriguing storyline. I look forward to reading this. Great review.

I hope you get the chance to read it. Thank you so much for the comment!

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 13 Apr 2022, 13:02

Amy Luman wrote: ↑13 Apr 2022, 10:59 I’m involved in the business world and I am a fan of murder mysteries so this novel will be a good fit. The descriptions of Brazil add to my interest.

Then this book will be a perfect fit. I hope you get the chance to read it, and thank you so much for the comment.

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 13 Apr 2022, 13:05

Patty Allread wrote: ↑13 Apr 2022, 11:21 It's great when the resolution of a mystery is not given away too early or is too easy to predict. I enjoyed your review.

Indeed, it is. That's what keeps a reader eager to continue reading. Thank you so much for the comment!

Ceeco2002 · Post by **Ceeco2002** » 15 Apr 2022, 10:43

Can't even imagine how painful it was for Mark to see his best friend and wife killed at the same time. I do hope he gets justice for them.

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 19 Apr 2022, 01:24

Ceeco2002 wrote: ↑15 Apr 2022, 10:43 Can't even imagine how painful it was for Mark to see his best friend and wife killed at the same time. I do hope he gets justice for them.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my review!

Ay Obaj · Post by **Ay Obaj** » 26 Apr 2022, 06:05

I love it when books storyline are constructed perfectly, and contains every single element of thrill. A book like this will surely wow any reader. Thanks for a honest review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 06 Jun 2022, 10:25

This seems like an engaging murder mystery deeply connected to the bidding and negotiations business that can teach a lot about it. Thank you for your great review!