Review by Theresam -- Final Notice by Van Fleisher
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Review by Theresam -- Final Notice by Van Fleisher
[Following is a volunteer review of "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.]
4 out of 4 stars
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In Final Notice, Van Fleisher addresses an interesting topic with multiple ethical considerations. If you knew you would die within the next thirty days, what would you do? This question is analyzed by different characters in different situations. This book is a well-written, fast-paced thriller. It takes a common device, a watch that is used to monitor health and activity, and adds a new element to the service it provides. This new element notifies the user when their death date is within thirty days. The device allows the user to choose a Final Notice at ten, twenty or thirty days. It is then for the user to decide how to spend those last days. The author weaves different stories in and out of the main stories to give a balanced account of the choices characters can make. Some characters choose to get their affairs in order, update wills and donate to charity before their death. However, the focus of the book is on those characters that choose to commit crimes with little or no fear of repercussions due to their impending death.
The characters created by Van Fleisher are multi-dimensional and realistic. Separate stories are joined together by a common use of the monitoring device. Decisions made by characters are discussed by other characters as they become aware of the facts of each case. This process creates a well-rounded examination of the actions and ethical considerations.
The book follows several characters, but the main focus is of an older couple, Vince and Trudi Fuller, living in California. Through interactions with their friends, they discuss issues of immigration, gun control, school shootings, and issues faced by senior citizens. Aside from the final notice storyline, there is an additional consideration of an NRA discount issued to senior citizens to purchase guns. With firearms more affordable and available to seniors and final notices being issued, the combination creates situations where crimes can be committed with little fear of punishment.
The final notice is examined as a helpful tool to allow its user to benefit from the notice and get their affairs in order. One of the storylines includes the creator of the device and his intention to provide a service that helps its users to tie up loose ends before death. An FBI agent becomes involved when crimes begin to be committed with ownership of the device as a common factor. The discussion between the creator of the device and the FBI agent are interesting and well thought out. Is it unethical to provide this notice to those that may be predisposed to commit crimes or is it equivalent to a doctor telling you that you have thirty days left to live? The discussions between the characters provide different view-points and these discussions are very satisfying and thought-provoking to the reader.
The book focuses on the basic question of what actions you would take when you know your own death is imminent, but also includes discussion of topics such as gun control, mass shootings, immigration, and treatment of the elderly. Because I found this book to be very interesting and well-written, I give Final Notice a rating of 4 out of 4. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fast-paced thrillers or current event topics.
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Final Notice
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4 out of 4 stars
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In Final Notice, Van Fleisher addresses an interesting topic with multiple ethical considerations. If you knew you would die within the next thirty days, what would you do? This question is analyzed by different characters in different situations. This book is a well-written, fast-paced thriller. It takes a common device, a watch that is used to monitor health and activity, and adds a new element to the service it provides. This new element notifies the user when their death date is within thirty days. The device allows the user to choose a Final Notice at ten, twenty or thirty days. It is then for the user to decide how to spend those last days. The author weaves different stories in and out of the main stories to give a balanced account of the choices characters can make. Some characters choose to get their affairs in order, update wills and donate to charity before their death. However, the focus of the book is on those characters that choose to commit crimes with little or no fear of repercussions due to their impending death.
The characters created by Van Fleisher are multi-dimensional and realistic. Separate stories are joined together by a common use of the monitoring device. Decisions made by characters are discussed by other characters as they become aware of the facts of each case. This process creates a well-rounded examination of the actions and ethical considerations.
The book follows several characters, but the main focus is of an older couple, Vince and Trudi Fuller, living in California. Through interactions with their friends, they discuss issues of immigration, gun control, school shootings, and issues faced by senior citizens. Aside from the final notice storyline, there is an additional consideration of an NRA discount issued to senior citizens to purchase guns. With firearms more affordable and available to seniors and final notices being issued, the combination creates situations where crimes can be committed with little fear of punishment.
The final notice is examined as a helpful tool to allow its user to benefit from the notice and get their affairs in order. One of the storylines includes the creator of the device and his intention to provide a service that helps its users to tie up loose ends before death. An FBI agent becomes involved when crimes begin to be committed with ownership of the device as a common factor. The discussion between the creator of the device and the FBI agent are interesting and well thought out. Is it unethical to provide this notice to those that may be predisposed to commit crimes or is it equivalent to a doctor telling you that you have thirty days left to live? The discussions between the characters provide different view-points and these discussions are very satisfying and thought-provoking to the reader.
The book focuses on the basic question of what actions you would take when you know your own death is imminent, but also includes discussion of topics such as gun control, mass shootings, immigration, and treatment of the elderly. Because I found this book to be very interesting and well-written, I give Final Notice a rating of 4 out of 4. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fast-paced thrillers or current event topics.
******
Final Notice
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Theresam's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Keys to Harmony by Margalit Jakob
