Review of Prison Shadows
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Alida Spies
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Review of Prison Shadows
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Prison Shadows" by Kathryn Den Houter.]
The author wrote this story as set in the 1980s. Officer Kent pulls Clifford Ratz off the road for swerving. Kent discovers that there is an outstanding warrant for Clifford’s arrest. He also finds a packet of cocaine in Clifford’s pocket and approximately twenty kilograms of marijuana in the trunk of his car. Clifford used marijuana regularly and sold it to people who were suffering from diseases like HIV, cancer or joint problems. He acquired the cocaine because he was worried about his mother and thought that the drug would relieve his anxiety. Clifford had a tumultuous relationship with his father. Because of the outstanding warrant issued when Clifford had previously escaped arrest, the court perceived Clifford as a flight risk and determined bail at an unusually high amount. Clifford’s parents are unable to pay the bail, and he ends up serving a jail sentence.
Clifford is divorced and has two children. He is very close to his daughter, while his wife is close to his son. His relationship with his wife and children is reminiscent of his relationship with his parents; he had a close relationship with his mother, while his sister had an excellent relationship with his father. The author describes prison life in Michigamme State Prison and provides some disturbing details. Despite Clifford’s efforts to be a model prisoner, he becomes entangled in a devious scheme and has to fight for his life and his freedom.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book. Clifford forms relationships with an excellent lawyer, a hardened criminal, a detective turned investigator of prison crimes and the prison chef. He treads carefully while building some of these relationships; in his own words, "I’ll be nice but watch him close—so close my body will feel his wind, and the movement of his soul." He loves his daughter and will give his life for her. The author describes beautiful scenery and precious memories, drawing the reader into the world of the characters. Family values play a huge role in this book, and the contrast between Vince and Sue Atwood’s family and Clifford’s family helps readers realize how important it is. Kathryn Den Houter includes a few unexpected twists in her book, "Prison Shadows", that keep readers fully engaged from beginning to end. The depiction of the main characters shows readers how fragile the human psyche is and what people do to protect themselves.
I don’t know much about prison life, and even less about prison life in America during the 1980s. I did, however, find it remarkable that prisoners would get excellent meals, be able to make and receive telephone calls and attend church outside the prison. I suppose circumstances vary from one country to the next and one correctional facility to the next.
I found Clifford’s relationship with his dad somewhat confusing. Clifford’s accounts of his and his mother’s interactions with his father at the beginning of the book are very different from what we experience later in the story. Did his father change, or were Clifford’s feelings unwarranted? Perhaps the author can include some information to demystify this observation. That is the only recommendation I wish to make.
The editor performed well, and I found only one error. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, as I have no reason to deduct a star. It contains profanity, but most of it has been masked with asterisks. The author talks about God, attending church and praying, but I doubt whether such light references will offend anybody. Readers who enjoy psychological suspense novels will love this book.
******
Prison Shadows
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The author wrote this story as set in the 1980s. Officer Kent pulls Clifford Ratz off the road for swerving. Kent discovers that there is an outstanding warrant for Clifford’s arrest. He also finds a packet of cocaine in Clifford’s pocket and approximately twenty kilograms of marijuana in the trunk of his car. Clifford used marijuana regularly and sold it to people who were suffering from diseases like HIV, cancer or joint problems. He acquired the cocaine because he was worried about his mother and thought that the drug would relieve his anxiety. Clifford had a tumultuous relationship with his father. Because of the outstanding warrant issued when Clifford had previously escaped arrest, the court perceived Clifford as a flight risk and determined bail at an unusually high amount. Clifford’s parents are unable to pay the bail, and he ends up serving a jail sentence.
Clifford is divorced and has two children. He is very close to his daughter, while his wife is close to his son. His relationship with his wife and children is reminiscent of his relationship with his parents; he had a close relationship with his mother, while his sister had an excellent relationship with his father. The author describes prison life in Michigamme State Prison and provides some disturbing details. Despite Clifford’s efforts to be a model prisoner, he becomes entangled in a devious scheme and has to fight for his life and his freedom.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book. Clifford forms relationships with an excellent lawyer, a hardened criminal, a detective turned investigator of prison crimes and the prison chef. He treads carefully while building some of these relationships; in his own words, "I’ll be nice but watch him close—so close my body will feel his wind, and the movement of his soul." He loves his daughter and will give his life for her. The author describes beautiful scenery and precious memories, drawing the reader into the world of the characters. Family values play a huge role in this book, and the contrast between Vince and Sue Atwood’s family and Clifford’s family helps readers realize how important it is. Kathryn Den Houter includes a few unexpected twists in her book, "Prison Shadows", that keep readers fully engaged from beginning to end. The depiction of the main characters shows readers how fragile the human psyche is and what people do to protect themselves.
I don’t know much about prison life, and even less about prison life in America during the 1980s. I did, however, find it remarkable that prisoners would get excellent meals, be able to make and receive telephone calls and attend church outside the prison. I suppose circumstances vary from one country to the next and one correctional facility to the next.
I found Clifford’s relationship with his dad somewhat confusing. Clifford’s accounts of his and his mother’s interactions with his father at the beginning of the book are very different from what we experience later in the story. Did his father change, or were Clifford’s feelings unwarranted? Perhaps the author can include some information to demystify this observation. That is the only recommendation I wish to make.
The editor performed well, and I found only one error. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, as I have no reason to deduct a star. It contains profanity, but most of it has been masked with asterisks. The author talks about God, attending church and praying, but I doubt whether such light references will offend anybody. Readers who enjoy psychological suspense novels will love this book.
******
Prison Shadows
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Hellfire & Holy Water by Jonie Nikole
