Review of The Making of Evil

[Salome Ogani]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Making of Evil" by C. Ross Dutton.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Beliefs shape outcomes. Mistakes don't define the future if lessons are learned and applied. But if mistakes are seen as definitive, progress is hindered. Emilia Sanchez Gonzalez was a young woman who had been failed by both society and the people who were supposed to look after her, making her live a life that was dependent on sex, drugs, and alcohol. The effect of this was seen in the way she took care of her five kids, leaving Juan, her first child, in charge of his younger siblings at a very young age. Even when the ever-loving Sister Emma had extended a hand of help, Juan's mother had rejected it and stopped him from even going to school. He had to make do with regular visits to the church to talk with Sister Emma. What first sin marked the beginning of Juan's becoming an "evil man"? What were the events that followed that cemented that idea of his and made him feel irredeemable? Find out more about the life of this young man when you read The Making of Evil by C. Ross Dutton.

The book was so engaging that I couldn't put it down, thanks to the suspenseful chapter endings and subtle hints throughout that left me eager to uncover more. The author's detailed understanding of the drug trade and human trafficking was spectacular, and it made this book more relatable for me. Additionally, the knowledge of aviation and flying techniques is impressive, providing a well-explained and realistic portrayal of airplane operations in the book. I wish the police and other security agencies would sit up in cases that have to do with human trafficking and the sex trade. Their nonchalance, as portrayed in this book, is highly unacceptable. The statistics provided at the end of the book by the author show that a lot of people involved in ensuring children's safety are not doing their jobs.

The author skillfully crafted a narrative that piqued my curiosity, making me want to keep reading to uncover the answers and explanations that were cleverly scattered throughout the story. This book made me learn that embracing a fresh start leads to growth, while dwelling on mistakes stalls it. The book explores religious themes rooted in Christianity, specifically Catholicism, and looks into the church's role in perpetuating unsubstantiated rumors. Father Geraldo's failure to provide a logical explanation for Mrs. Gabriella's death leads the villagers to fill the gap with their own speculations, giving rise to the Legend of Gabriella. Despite this, the book is suitable for all, irrespective of their religion. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I had an issue, though. It was said that Juan called Pablo and threatened that if he spilled any information regarding an incident, he would kill him. Now, the only Pablo I know of who was a friend to Juan was the one who was an extremely powerful man, which I didn't think Juan could threaten. It made me wonder if the name that was to be mentioned was Pedro and not Pablo. At the expense of not giving out spoilers, I will not say more about this. I also found some errors in the book, which means that it needs another round of editing. This is why I removed a star from the rating. The Making of Evil by C. Ross Dutton is a very captivating read. I recommend it to fans of gritty realism as well as readers who enjoy character-driven stories and psychological books.

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The Making of Evil
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[NetMassimo]

This novel seems pretty dark in the depiction of Emilia spiraling down and Juan going into a certain path. It all looks well-developed, with just the need of a bit of "cleaning" to correct some mistakes. Thank you for your great review!

[Enkay Favour]

The Making of Evil by C. Ross Dutton is a gripping exploration of how a troubled upbringing and societal failures can shape a person’s path into darkness. With its intense suspense, realistic portrayal of human trafficking, and insightful look into the impact of religious and societal structures, this novel offers a deep and thought-provoking read. Its detailed character study and immersive storytelling make it a compelling choice for fans of psychological and character-driven narratives.

[Mradushi Singhal]

Your review highlights the gripping nature of "The Making of Evil" and its deep exploration of challenging themes. The detailed narrative and suspenseful twists sound fascinating, making me eager to read it. Thanks for such a thoughtful and engaging overview!