Review of Knight's Tour

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Komal Phartyal
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Review of Knight's Tour

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Knight's Tour" by Earl James.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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In "Knight's Tour: A Morrow's Con Story," an intriguing thriller produced by Earl James, the protagonist, Griffith Morrow, is an experienced Phoenix con artist. Carter Hanley thought he would never see him again after he cheated him out of a million dollars by staging an auction and selling fake antique pottery under the museum's name. But he got himself into deeper waters with his next job.

Hired as a private investigator by the Langley Oil Company, Morrow was entrusted with identifying four employees who had fled from Dallas, taking 26 million dollars with them. As he investigated further into the subject, he realized that these folks were being targeted by Langley's enforcers because they had found harmful realities concerning the organization.

Against all impediments, Morrow swore to hide the families of the missing men from jeopardy. He had battled to defend them without expecting anything in return, even if he had started as an investigator. He focused his resources on eliminating Langley Oil and saving people from continuous risks. He knew he would fail, but he still opted to risk it all.

The novel's strength lies in the richness of its characters. Moral ambiguity is embodied by the protagonist, Morrow. While his activities inflict financial and emotional agony on his victims, he rationalizes them as redistributing wealth. This diverse portrayal makes him an interesting figure. The supporting characters are also engaging, contributing to the novel’s suspense. James's thorough descriptions of different scenarios construct the plot, taking readers further into the action.


The book underlines the requirement of strategic thinking and problem-solving, much like controlling the 64 squares of a chessboard. Through Morrow’s experiences, we watch his maturation both as a chess player and as a person. James underscores that true mastery involves perseverance and the ability to learn from mistakes. The tale is engaging, changing the dreadful chess scenario into an amusing excursion. The novel analyzes how chess molds Morrow’s character and its psychological components. Morrow moves from a novice chess player to a great thinker, grappling with the difficulty of the Knight’s Tour.

James’s action sequences are authentic, and the narrative keeps a steady tone throughout. Readers are invited to experience the world through Morrow’s eyes, boosting their participation in the plot. The plot twists are expertly done, with the tempo neither too brisk nor too slow.

While some readers might find the obscene language off-putting, it illustrates the awful realities of criminal conversation. Other than this, there was nothing negative to mention about this book. The editing is professional, contributing to the overall polish of the novel. For these reasons, I would rate the book five out of five stars.

In summary, Earl James brilliantly combines mystery, strategy, and human striving in "Knight's Tour: A Morrow's Con Story." Morrow’s journey offers readers a deeper grasp of the complexities and beauty of chess. James illustrates how invention, determination, and critical thinking can overcome life’s challenges. The narrative serves as a reminder of the mind’s tremendous potential, independent of one's chess ability. Fans of action, suspense, mystery, and drama will find enough to appreciate in this narrative. Due to its mature language, it is best intended for adult readers.

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Knight's Tour
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