OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Initiated To Kill" by Sharlene Almond.]

Sharlene Almond’s historical fiction, Initiated to Kill, follows two separate, but similar series of murders. A string of murdered women is plaguing the Whitechapel district of 19th century London. A serial killer is troubling the city of Seville in 21st century Spain. The Seville killer is trying to get into the mind of one of history’s most notorious killers: Jack the Ripper.

Young women throughout Seville are mysteriously going missing. The only connection between the women is their party girl lifestyle and their habit for going home with unknown men. No one takes their disappearances seriously, until hearts begin to inexplicably arrive at the police department. Detectives Rivera and Valero are investigating the disappearances when they discover something sinister happening at the local university. Is there a connection between what they find at the school and the missing women?

The concept of the story was interesting, but it was not executed well enough to get the full effect. The story jumps back and forth between not only the main story and the Jack the Ripper accounts, but also various character flashbacks. It quickly becomes difficult to follow the memories, story and historical accounts. If anything all those elements within one novel makes the narrative confusing and takes away from the story. As the reader progresses through the novel, the reason behind the Jack the Ripper is unknown. The connection isn’t made until chapter 77, and that connection doesn’t make sense. The novel blurb drew in my interest when it mentioned Jack the Ripper. I was quickly disappointed in that aspect of the story. Every Jack the Ripper segment seemed thrown in haphazardly and didn’t fit with the rest of the story.

The main story revolving around the missing woman was interesting, and I found myself wanting to read that more than the other parts of the novel. The main plot could stand on its own merits without the character and historical flashbacks. Some of the character development was lacking. I did find the main character having a disability interesting. That is a character trait I don’t see used often, so it added a certain depth to the story. The flashbacks for different characters made it feel like there was more to the character, but readers don’t see it. Readers don’t see characters developing as the novel progresses. There are many inconsistencies to the story that throws off the flow and pacing. There are too many things throughout the tale that do not fit with the mystery. I consistently asked myself “what does this have to do with the story?” or “Where is Almonds going to take this?” The climax and conclusion of the story were lacking and surprising, but not in a good way.

I am not sure if I would recommend this book to anyone. If you don’t mind a story that jumps around a lot and seems too much of a puzzle, this would be a good book for you. But if you like consistency and connection within the story, don’t bother. As for a rating, I would give Initiated to Kill a 2 out of 4 because of the inconstancy, confusion, and unnecessary element.

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Initiated To Kill
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Sounds intriguing! Too bad it fell short. Thank you for the lovely review.

It had a lot of potential, just needs cleaned up and revamped.

Great review! Sounds like it could be a fascinating book with some more work.

I don't mind books with multiple viewpoints and/or flashbacks. It can be a good storytelling device. I think it can be difficult to use these devices effectively though. It is important to make these transitions clear with, at a minimum, a section break to denote something new happening even if you don't want to note the exact viewpoint or point in the timeline at the break for clarity. The exception with flashbacks may be if it is a part of the disability of the character and they have trouble distinguishing past from present at times.

anonanemone wrote:Great review! Sounds like it could be a fascinating book with some more work.

I don't mind books with multiple viewpoints and/or flashbacks. It can be a good storytelling device. I think it can be difficult to use these devices effectively though. It is important to make these transitions clear with, at a minimum, a section break to denote something new happening even if you don't want to note the exact viewpoint or point in the timeline at the break for clarity. The exception with flashbacks may be if it is a part of the disability of the character and they have trouble distinguishing past from present at times.

They had their own chapter but it 2 as so random and the only distinguishing remark about them was like "the boy cowered in the corner" so you didn't know which characters the flashbacks were for and why it was needed. I enjoy flashbacks and things like that. I finished a book that used them for a character that had amnesia and as he remembered things the story flashback ed to that time. It helped move the story and develop the character. This one it was confusing.

I totally understand your disappointment with the narrative structure. I've read books where the jumping around is well-executed, and others where it's just too much and unnecessary. Great critiques!

Great review! I also get frustrated when the flashblacks and switches between subplots are hard to follow. My brain starts spinning after a while.

Exactly bookowlie, my head began to hurt trying to keep track of it all. I was sad Jack the Ripper parts feel short. I think that bothered me the most.

Nice and well detailed review! Sad, that it fell short of expectations.

Thank you debo.

Sorry you had to go through it, Literarycat. Lol. I hate confusing books and I'll probably stay far away from this one.

Was the author using Jack the Ripper to invite more readers to read the book? From your review, literarycat, it seems the case. Nice review, though.