Official Review: The pact with the Devil
Posted: 17 Jul 2017, 16:04
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The pact with the Devil" by Robert J. DeLuca.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Pact with the Devil is an exciting work of fiction by Robert J DeLuca. It incorporates organized crime, family business, government bureaucracy, marital unrest and even a touch of young love. The backdrops of Mexico and Texas are perfectly suited to this story as it quickly heats up.
Travis Nelson is a successful businessman who is the CEO of his own housing development company. He has a stellar reputation. The book opens to a family vacation in Mexico that doesn't include him. Here, we meet his two sons, daughter and wife. This is the first clue to the reader that Travis may not have the same stellar reputation at home that he has at work. The vacation takes a frightening turn when Travis' daughter Pam is kidnapped. And so begins the fast paced attempt by Travis and his sons to have her safely returned.
Meanwhile, we learn that the business may be in trouble and Travis is desperate for an influx of cash. In parallel, a powerful Mexican drug kingpin is also desperate. He needs a way to move his product across the border undetected. When Pam's kidnapping brings the two powerful, but now needy men together, they strike a deal that is mutually beneficial. However, the benefits don't last and their arrangement begins to fall apart. It's an exciting unraveling with an unexpected end.
I enjoyed this book very much. The plot was exciting but included depth of character. The author incorporated back stories for Travis and his family that allowed me to feel a connection with the characters. It created believable motivation for their actions, even when those actions were legally or morally questionable. There were also parallels drawn between Travis and the drug kingpin, reminding us that we're all human and perhaps not as different as we think we are.
My only criticism is that there were some details in the book that were a little dull for me. I learned a little too much about the pros and cons of low income housing developments and how they work. This would not stop me from recommending the book, but it is the single aspect I did not enjoy.
You may have already guessed that I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime, adventure and stories of good intentions gone wrong. Take it to the beach this summer. You'll be glad you did!
******
The pact with the Devil
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Pact with the Devil is an exciting work of fiction by Robert J DeLuca. It incorporates organized crime, family business, government bureaucracy, marital unrest and even a touch of young love. The backdrops of Mexico and Texas are perfectly suited to this story as it quickly heats up.
Travis Nelson is a successful businessman who is the CEO of his own housing development company. He has a stellar reputation. The book opens to a family vacation in Mexico that doesn't include him. Here, we meet his two sons, daughter and wife. This is the first clue to the reader that Travis may not have the same stellar reputation at home that he has at work. The vacation takes a frightening turn when Travis' daughter Pam is kidnapped. And so begins the fast paced attempt by Travis and his sons to have her safely returned.
Meanwhile, we learn that the business may be in trouble and Travis is desperate for an influx of cash. In parallel, a powerful Mexican drug kingpin is also desperate. He needs a way to move his product across the border undetected. When Pam's kidnapping brings the two powerful, but now needy men together, they strike a deal that is mutually beneficial. However, the benefits don't last and their arrangement begins to fall apart. It's an exciting unraveling with an unexpected end.
I enjoyed this book very much. The plot was exciting but included depth of character. The author incorporated back stories for Travis and his family that allowed me to feel a connection with the characters. It created believable motivation for their actions, even when those actions were legally or morally questionable. There were also parallels drawn between Travis and the drug kingpin, reminding us that we're all human and perhaps not as different as we think we are.
My only criticism is that there were some details in the book that were a little dull for me. I learned a little too much about the pros and cons of low income housing developments and how they work. This would not stop me from recommending the book, but it is the single aspect I did not enjoy.
You may have already guessed that I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime, adventure and stories of good intentions gone wrong. Take it to the beach this summer. You'll be glad you did!
******
The pact with the Devil
View: on Bookshelves
Like Elaine5's review? Post a comment saying so!