Review of A dangerous trade

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Bethel Saint Bright
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Review of A dangerous trade

Post by Bethel Saint Bright »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A dangerous trade" by Oscar Ortiz.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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"A Dangerous Trade" by Oscar Ortiz is a story narrated by Alec Wars, the lead character. Alec is looking for a job with the NYPD, only to realize he is not eligible for it. However, Sergeant Farias knows someone who can give Alec the job he deserves. Farias refers him to Fil Marc, an old acquaintance of Alec. Alec is soon given a job that involves stopping a monster known as "The Subway Monstrosity." However, something about this monster poses a big challenge for Alec. Does he succeed in this mission?

I have read some crime thrillers, and I know these books are lengthy (and reasonably so). The authors like to invest time (and words) into developing every aspect of the story to ensure the climax reflects the reader's journey to get there. However, this book is short and straight to the point. It's a book one can finish in the time it takes to blink an eyelid (figuratively speaking). Although I don't expect crime thrillers to be this short, the shortness in length makes this book unique.

I like how the author makes the characters recognizable. It is easy to identify characters, even with their abridged names. For instance, Catherine Jerome is also called Cat in many instances throughout the narrative. To ensure readers don't get confused about whether Catherine and Cat are the names of the same person, the author provides this clarity: "Name: Catherine Jerome, but she preferred to be called Cat." This is only an instance to explain how the characters are identifiable, regardless of what name the author uses for them at any point in the book.

This book is the first book in the "Saving the World" series. I guess that is the reason for its concise nature. Apparently, there will be more adventures to unfold in Book 2.

There's only one minor issue I have with the book. The beginning of some chapters have "Flashbacks" as their title. I don't know whether it is a mistake or those chapters are meant to be flashbacks. A look at the story holistically shows that no part seems to be a flashback. Although this issue is worth noting, it does not affect my rating, as it does not have any impact on the story's flow. Regardless of this minor concern, I still rate the book a 5 out of 5. I recommend it to people who enjoy tech-related crime thrillers.

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A dangerous trade
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Umesh Bhatt
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Post by Umesh Bhatt »

The review has precisely shown as what the book contains. A new recruit Alec is given a challenging responsibility and has to deliver and reap the career benefits. Being interested in crime and suspense books I would try to go through this book may be at a later date.
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Lene Lena
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Post by Lene Lena »

It sounds like “A Dangerous Trade” by Oscar Ortiz offers a concise yet engaging narrative. The story’s brevity may appeal to readers seeking a quick thrill, contrasting with longer crime thrillers that delve deeply into character development. This approach can create a unique reading experience, focusing on action and urgency. I'll look out for this one!
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Louis Donald
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Post by Louis Donald »

The idea of a crime thriller that gets straight to the point is interesting. I usually expect these stories to be longer, so the fast-paced approach sounds like a different kind of experience.
Pearl Flourish
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Post by Pearl Flourish »

“A Dangerous Trade” by Oscar Ortiz offers a concise yet gripping crime thriller experience. Narrated by Alec Wars, the story follows his unexpected journey from a failed NYPD application to confronting the enigmatic “Subway Monstrosity.” Despite its brevity, the novel delivers well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot, making it a unique addition to the crime thriller genre.
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