Review of In Plain Sight

[Jane Ogwang]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "In Plain Sight" by Susan Mallett.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Most people will agree with my thought that 2022 was just one of those years, an endless rollercoaster ride. It was a year marked by several things; the pandemic, political upheaval, death and transition of a monarch, and social unrest amid a host of other things. But could there be things we missed? This book, In Plain Sight, by Susan V. Mallet, takes us through the events of that year, offering different perspectives on them.

Susan starts writing by sharing her background and giving her motivation for writing the book. She talks about her medical career, noting the training that taught her to question things and insightfully look at them with the aim of observing patterns. Behind the news, she says, she saw patterns of stories that were even more relevant and would give more insights into issues. She then starts with her first day of observation, January 20th. She details that day's news, the state of Covid, and calls for interventions, among other things. She then opines her opinions and analysis of that day's news. The following chapters follow the same pattern, organized chronologically with dates throughout the year. The last date she discussed was December 31st.

One of the stand-out aspects of the book was the author's ability to break down complex issues into simple bits. I finally got to understand the politics behind Britain's three prime ministers in a few months. She analyzed and broke down those details and events expertly. I also liked the book's coverage of the war in Ukraine. It was almost as if I was watching it unfold afresh. She gives details of its development, from the threats of invasion to the escalation of the war. She also analyzes the actions of both Western and Russian leaders quite comprehensively, pointing out their impacts on the escalation or possible end of that conflict. The author also summarized the royal events of the year quite well. It was a respectful and candid analysis of the situation in the British Monarchy.

The author's style of writing is engaging and quite accessible. She used simple and easily comprehensible language to put her points across. The organization of the book was also perfect. The chronological order of events and chapters made it easy to follow and reference. Susan also did a great job with the editing.

There were, however, some drawbacks to the writing. First is the danger that comes with every piece trying to uncover hidden truths; they often appear conspiratorial. The author's views, especially on vaccinations, could easily pass as conspiracies. In my opinion, she did not do enough to make her claims more compelling and authentic. I would have loved more evidence, citations, approved data, and sources. Also, I was put off when, in the first few pages of the book, she uses the very demeaning nickname President Donald Trump uses to refer to President Biden. I thought that was unprofessional, unnecessary, and avoidable.

Despite the flaws, this book is a detailed and informative work covering a wide range of issues. I give it a rating of four out of five stars. It is well-written and professionally edited, as I only noticed a few minor errors. I deducted a star because of the negatives I listed in the preceding chapter. The book is excellent for anyone who wishes to understand the events of 2022 more deeply. Readers should also note that the author's views are dominantly right-wing.

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In Plain Sight
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Chris Agbara]

I enjoyed reading your review of In Plain Sight. You have given a balanced and comprehensive overview of the book and its contents. I agree with you that the author has a knack for simplifying complex issues and presenting different perspectives on them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and rating.

[Muhammad Abeer Sohaib]

However, I can tell you that "In Plain Sight" by Susan Mallett is a novel published by St. Martin's Press in 2021. It's a thriller that follows the story of a mother and daughter who are forced to flee their home and go into hiding after a violent attack on their family. The novel explores themes of trauma, family bonds, and the lengths one will go to protect the people they love.

[Aswin3848]

The review was a enough to get me intrigued. COVID-19 was an eye-opener for every one of us. Further, now i am convinced that the title of the book is a perfect choice.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

Thank you for this in -depth book with Covid and all the happenings that occurred since then, mostly bad. Yes, the reviewer has the tone correct, it is a good read. Let’s hope there’s optimism for the future. There are a few faults the reviewer states, but all in all its is interesting.

[Leen282]

I am pretty sure I will not like this book if it starts by using a demeaning term to refer to someone. I like factual books to be objective, insofar as anything written by an individual can be objective. I also get very nervous when reading something that can be interpreted as a conspiracy theory, since reading is one-sided and you cannot go into discussion with the author to better understand her arguments.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"In Plain Sight" by Susan V. Mallet is an eye-opening, day-by-day reflection on 2022. From the Ukraine war to UK political chaos to the monarchy’s transition, Mallet blends medical insight with sharp social analysis. A unique lens on a turbulent year. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Sarah Zain]

The review provided a clear explanation of the book. It is certain that recording and linking all these events took a lot of time from the author, so we must appreciate that, even if we differ on the interpretation. I think reading different approaches about the events we have been through is good. Congrats on BOTD!

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I understand the importance of revisiting and analyzing big world events, but I honestly just want to put 2022 in the past. I understand the significance of books like this one, but they are not good for my mental health. Thank you for your review!

[Kibet Hillary]

The review makes the book sound really fascinating and captivating; many thanks for that @Jane Ogwang. I would not read much into the events, though, as you have stated, indeed, that without sufficient evidence, they would just sound conspiratorial. Nonetheless, the book is on my want-to-read shelf.

[Creole]

The year 2022 was eventful. Read "In Plain Sight" by Susan V. Mallet to learn more about these events. We might have missed or forgotten some occurrences, so this book should be a valuable source of information. The author analyses events and even adds her opinion. Thanks for the insights and your honest review. Congrats to the author.

[Wamboi Susan]

" This book, In Plain Sight, by Susan V. Mallet, takes us through the events of that year, offering different perspectives on them." It sound like a good read to me- more of a thought-provoking reflection on the events of 2022.Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Harshitha G B]

"In Plain Sight" by Susan Mallett is a book which gives thought about, things were in plain sight yet we ignored inbetween Chaos because 2022 was tough time in medical world. So this book breaks the point which happened, which were important in that year.

[Rupali Mishra]

Congrats on BOTD!
Susan V. Mallet's book "In Plain Sight" offers a startling, on a daily basis analysis of 2022. Mallet combines incisive social assessment with clinical expertise to cover everything from the crisis in Ukraine to the political unrest in the UK to the changeover of the monarchy.

[Devesh Patel]

This is a thoughtful and balanced review. You clearly appreciated the book’s insights and structure, while also pointing out legitimate concerns about tone and sourcing. Your comment on the political leanings and the need for stronger evidence adds depth. It’s a fair assessment that acknowledges both the book’s strengths and its flaws.