Review of Deception

Chinaza Nnabuenyi · Post by **Chinaza Nnabuenyi** » 14 Jul 2022, 07:07

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Deception" by Tim Holland.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Deception by Tim Holland started with a research of four friends, Sidney Lake, Harriet Ryan, Ray Morton, and Tillie James. They embarked on research on the first edition of Anne Brontë's volumes appraised in the National Arts and Crafts Show. In the middle of their research, Ester Averille, a friend of Tillie, is evicted by downplaying the failure to pay her taxes. Professor Sidney offers to help Ester get her house back because of Tillie. So they lay aside the research of the rare book and get Ray to help them with his experience as a retired police officer. Ray was interested in the case and took it personally with Georgia Sawyer, a solicitor. While Sidney, Hattie, and Tillie focus on rare books research again, particularly Anne Bronte's volumes and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. There is a link between the theft of Bronte's volumes, which is connected to Larry Carter, and the tax rate scam connected to Howard Springwood. Do they discover who the perpetrators of the tax sale scam are? Where is the connection between the Pirate Island and Anne Bronte's volumes? Is this mystery eventually unraveled?

In our world today, friends may hold criticism to please the other party and maintain the relationship, but it is different with the four friends. They would share ideas, chastise, care and sacrifice for one another, as revealed when Sidney called Ray at 9 pm. He paid attention to what he had to say and was ready to offer his help wherever needed. Another instance was during the pandemonium at the craft fair. Tillie was going to rush to Sidney's side in the thick of the gunshots when everyone tried to get cover. They all didn't have the same interest, as they were not in one occupation, but they assisted whenever needed. They also respected and understood each other.

However, the friendship among the friends is not the only part of the story that feels so real. The story about rare book theft and tax rate deception also felt real. The unraveling of the mystery behind the tax rate scammers started when Tillie told her friends of the eviction of Ester Averille from her house. What made it real was how the author brought up each plot. It was gradual, forming each plotline and character around the story. Each character felt real and played different roles in unraveling the mystery.

Another positive aspect of the book is the story's setting and subject matter. I would start with the setting. It is set in the modern-day, but many references are made to historical events, and some of the primary characters are in their middle age or well past middle age. Tillie, one of the friends that played a role in unraveling the mystery, was around 70 years old. In the case of rare-book theft, some rare books were mentioned as far back as 1700. I find this intriguing. The subject is also intriguing. It is unique and real. I wouldn't forget to add that the book was suspenseful, holding questions that just kept me glued in a quest to get answers.

In addition to this, each event was well detailed. When the riot happened at the craft fair, each scene was described with great detail, even the things people might consider irrelevant. Though at one point, I felt the storyteller, as I presume, using the narrative technique, was all-knowing. I dislike nothing about the book.

I rate Deception 4 out of 4 stars. The book was an engaging, entertaining, enlightening, and intriguing one. It is one of the best mystery novels I have read. And it truly lived up to its title, Deception. The book was well-edited, as I found quite a number of errors. I recommend this to book lovers and mature readers, especially those interested in the crime and mystery genre. This can also be a try for people interested in reading things related to history. However, I can't say if the historical occurrences are real or fictional.

******
Deception
View: on Bookshelves

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 17 Jul 2022, 15:39

Did Ester really expect the friends to drop everything to help her, especially when only one of them knew her personally? I’ve got to say that I am eager to find out how the scam and the book theft are related.

Yasmine ZM · Post by **Yasmine ZM** » 18 Jul 2022, 05:48

I am learning from your review that rare books can also be intertwined with tax scams, which got me intrigued.

Summer Henrietta · Post by **Summer Henrietta** » 18 Jul 2022, 06:30

A well detailed book with gradual intentionality and creativity.
I must commend the author
Thank you for the review.

Kunjpatel786 · Post by **Kunjpatel786** » 19 Jul 2022, 04:54

Did Ester really expect the friends to drop everything to help her, especially when only one of them knew her personally? I’ve got to say that I am eager to find out how the scam and the book theft are related

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 04 Sep 2022, 03:49

This seems like an intriguing mystery that starts with the search for some rare books and then gets developed to include more plot elements. Thank you for your great review!