Official Review: The Trunk by Dale Rollings

sarahmarlowe randomeducator · 10 Apr 2020, 10:39

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Trunk" by Dale Rollings.]

2 out of 4 stars

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The Trunk by Dan Rollings is an entertaining read containing dynamic characters, intriguing plot twists, and natural dialogue. Set over many years, the plot introduces us to not only Donald and Connie Juergen but also Hugo and Freida, Donald’s parents. The author successfully uses a diary rather than flashbacks to bridge between the past and present, and the transitions are smooth. Readers can easily follow both plotlines and the connections between them.

Hugo and Frieda live in St. Louis during the Great Depression and World War II. The author draws a beautiful picture of a couple in love striving to start a family and establish a home even though money is hard to come by. We meet their son Donald as an adult. Donald Juergen and his wife Connie are an average middle-aged couple living in St. Louis with kids in college, a lovely home, and a big extended family. When Hugo dies, a mystery swirls up from the past, and it alters everything the younger couple have believed about Donald’s parents. Perusing through an old trunk, they discover secrets of the older Juergens that connect them to espionage and the dark days of World War II.

I liked this book for several reasons. The plot was captivating, and I got to know the characters, even feeling some of their internal struggles. However, this book is not ready for publication, and I am giving it 2 out of 4 stars. I am deducting a full star for lack of professional editing because there are numerous errors in this book. Many involve basics like capitalization and spelling, and there are repeated punctuation issues, especially in dialogue.

Additionally, there are also formatting issues with chapter fonts, random line breaks, and indentation. About three-quarters of the way through this book, I had no plans to deduct any stars for plot or characterization. While there were some peculiar choices made by characters, people make odd choices all the time, so I am still not taking a star for that. Unfortunately, I believe that giving The Trunk three stars would indicate that it is more ready for distribution than it is.

Therefore, I am taking a star for the struggling plot lines that appeared near the end of the book. For instance, there was time spent on events at the beginning I thought would be foreshadowing, but they didn’t come up again. Additionally, some of the conflict at the end was hard to reconcile with the rest of the book.

I strongly and enthusiastically encourage the author to put The Trunk through another round or two of editing, polishing the rough edges, and correcting the grammatical errors. I believe that it is, for the most part, well-crafted and deserves to be refined before it is released. Once those errors are fixed, this book will be a 4-star read. Prospective readers should know that this book contains profanity, violence, and some gore. There is additionally quite a heavy dose of sexual situations. I would recommend this book now to readers willing to peruse a work-in-progress in order to enjoy a thrilling twist on a World War II story. Other than that, I would recommend readers wait for an edited edition. Those seeking a flawless book won’t be satisfied.

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The Trunk
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Damis Seres Rodriguez · Post by **Damis Seres Rodriguez** » 15 Apr 2020, 14:46

It seems that the book has a lot of potential. I hope your suggestions of a more professional edition are heard, because I'd really like to read it. Thanks for the review.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 17 Apr 2020, 12:37

It's too bad that the book doesn't live up to its potential. I hope the author takes your advice and gets it professionally edited. Thanks for an honest and well-written review!