Review of Balaclava

[Mercy Bolo]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Balaclava" by M. G. Field.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Balaclava by M.G. Field is a crime/mystery novel that follows the misfortunes of Dan Middleton. Dan finds himself at a crossroads when he can’t explain his wife’s death. He came home to her limp body on the kitchen floor. Dan quickly pivots from a distraught widower to the prime suspect in the gruesome ordeal. Did he do it? Did Sylvie have any enemies? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Read the novel to answer these questions.

What I liked most about the book is the suspenseful pauses that the author employed. Since there are different timelines narrated in the text, I was left eager when one timeline ended abruptly, usually at the end of a chapter. When the next chapter began, I breezed through to piece together the information. I was surprised by the unlikely revelations and mesmerized by Dan’s dilemma. He relocated to a new state and adopted the identity of J. R. Kincaid, but someone found him. Who was this mystery man, and what was his relationship with Sylvie? I didn’t put the book down until I figured it out.

When Dan realizes there's someone onto him, he starts investigating those closest to him, including his new girlfriend. The suspect-turned-detective plot twist livenes the storyline and will keep readers glued. Dan has to figure out who’s blackmailing him while staying in the shadows and keeping his identity hidden. When shocking revelations emerge, the dilemma deepens. Should he go to the police? Readers will bounce back and forth as they pinpoint the criminal. I often sided with Dan, but his flaws left me in doubt. The author presented him as a flawed character, not a know-it-all who breezed through life.

Dan experienced a few tragedies, interspersed with periods of joy and laughter. I was teary when Sylvie stood by him at his lowest moment. Dan also maintained strong ties with his immediate family. The bond with his dad and brother makes him likable, and readers will sympathize with his unfortunate situation. I like that the author highlights the necessity of a solid support system. Without the backing of his wife, dad, or brother, Dan could’ve spiraled out of control. The support system accelerated Dan’s growth and rebirth, averting a foreseeable rock bottom.

Overall, the book was an easy read. It is well-written, beautifully formatted, and expertly edited. There is nothing I disliked about the book. Therefore, I will award it a rating of five out of five stars. I would recommend the book to lovers of crime and mystery novels. There is, however, heavy sexual content in the book, so underage readers should steer clear.

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Balaclava
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[Amy Luman]

I enjoy mysteries the most of any type of literature even though I’m really bad at figuring them out. I don’t enjoy heavy sexual content, however, so I am glad that you included that in your review. Other than that, this sounds like a great book for me. Thanks!

[NetMassimo]

This crime thriller offers a suspenseful story that makes me curious about what happened to Dan and his wife following the revelations offered in the course of the novel. Thank you for your great review!