Official Review: Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The...
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Tigania
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Official Review: Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The...
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The Name of Vengeance" by J B Bergstad.]
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NOTE: This is the second book in a trilogy called "Hyde's Corners" by J B Bergstaad.
This novel of historical fiction, centers around a small town in Oklahoma, during the years 1928-1946. Selmer Burks is the Sheriff of Hyde's Corners. He is a physically intimidating man, and rules the town with an iron fist. Selmer uses his position to manipulate and intimidate the town's officials into running the town to match his own vision for its' growth.
Selmer is raising his only grandchild Thomas, after the baby's mother's tragic death. Selmer hides his true nature from the boy until Thomas is older. Slipping more and more into a whisky bottle, Selmer's demons slowly become uncontrollable. Thomas is never sure whether his grandfather is a hero, or an alcoholic villain.
This novel has a quick and exciting beginning, pulling the reader rapidly into Selmer Burks' world. The pace continues to race as Burks' faces one catastrophe after another, dealing with any problem with his own form of justice. This leads to an altercation with a long-time friend and neighbor, and forces Burks' demons closer to the surface. There is violence and scenes of a sexual nature, however, they are not the focus of the novel, but necessary to the formation of the plot.
To me, the story had the flavor of an old Western movie, with excellent descriptions of farming, oil exploration, the town tavern, and of course, the towns' house of pleasure. The portrayal of small-town citizens, and their daily struggles were vividly written. I felt as if I had slipped back in time, and could almost hear the twang of the well-written conversations in the air around me.
Both love of family and township, and vengeance for past betrayals fill the plot. To understand this novel fully, I would recommend reading Book I to the Hyde Corner's Trilogy to fully comprehend what drives Sheriff Burks to such means when protecting those he loves. The novel however, can be read alone, but some areas allude to a past which isn't evident in this volume.
I found this novel to have been well-researched on the historical components, including the Stock Market Crash, and the start of the First World War. Even the conversation between characters seemed true to the time period.
I did find quite a few typographical and grammatical error throughout the novel. For that reason, I have to give "In the Name of Vengeance" at 3 out of 4 star rating. Although I liked the flow of the writing, the development of the characters, and the story itself, these errors were distracting to me as a reader. However, any historical reader that enjoys early American history, will enjoy this intense and entertaining novel.
***
Buy "Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The Name of Vengeance" on Amazon
Buy "Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The Name of Vengeance" on Barnes and Noble
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This novel of historical fiction, centers around a small town in Oklahoma, during the years 1928-1946. Selmer Burks is the Sheriff of Hyde's Corners. He is a physically intimidating man, and rules the town with an iron fist. Selmer uses his position to manipulate and intimidate the town's officials into running the town to match his own vision for its' growth.
Selmer is raising his only grandchild Thomas, after the baby's mother's tragic death. Selmer hides his true nature from the boy until Thomas is older. Slipping more and more into a whisky bottle, Selmer's demons slowly become uncontrollable. Thomas is never sure whether his grandfather is a hero, or an alcoholic villain.
This novel has a quick and exciting beginning, pulling the reader rapidly into Selmer Burks' world. The pace continues to race as Burks' faces one catastrophe after another, dealing with any problem with his own form of justice. This leads to an altercation with a long-time friend and neighbor, and forces Burks' demons closer to the surface. There is violence and scenes of a sexual nature, however, they are not the focus of the novel, but necessary to the formation of the plot.
To me, the story had the flavor of an old Western movie, with excellent descriptions of farming, oil exploration, the town tavern, and of course, the towns' house of pleasure. The portrayal of small-town citizens, and their daily struggles were vividly written. I felt as if I had slipped back in time, and could almost hear the twang of the well-written conversations in the air around me.
Both love of family and township, and vengeance for past betrayals fill the plot. To understand this novel fully, I would recommend reading Book I to the Hyde Corner's Trilogy to fully comprehend what drives Sheriff Burks to such means when protecting those he loves. The novel however, can be read alone, but some areas allude to a past which isn't evident in this volume.
I found this novel to have been well-researched on the historical components, including the Stock Market Crash, and the start of the First World War. Even the conversation between characters seemed true to the time period.
I did find quite a few typographical and grammatical error throughout the novel. For that reason, I have to give "In the Name of Vengeance" at 3 out of 4 star rating. Although I liked the flow of the writing, the development of the characters, and the story itself, these errors were distracting to me as a reader. However, any historical reader that enjoys early American history, will enjoy this intense and entertaining novel.
***
Buy "Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The Name of Vengeance" on Amazon
Buy "Hyde's Corner Trilogy - Book II - In The Name of Vengeance" on Barnes and Noble
Latest Review: "The Boy who Lived with Ghosts" by John Mitchell
