Review by Mys_Trea -- Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)

[Mys_Trea]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)" by Barry Litherland.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Sometimes, people make their way into your life, and somehow, they manage to stay. Waves Break (On Unknown Shores), by Barry Litherland, is a truly captivating book about childhood friends, Phil, Wayne, and Tina, who navigate their way through life after a terrible childhood tragedy. The protagonist, named Phil, is an oddly relatable character. He really grew on me as an underdog that one just can’t help but root for. The story is also woven quite cleverly in-between the characters’ childhood and adult selves, and it is actually interesting to see how their personalities remain consistent from their earlier childhood days, right up until they are adults, throughout the book.

The relationships between the characters are also quite intriguing. The friendship between Phil and Wayne, for instance, is quite amazing to witness. The two are essentially faced with fundamental differences in character. Phil is quite ordinary and square, prone to avoid trouble, whilst Phil is more of a rebel by nature, who was more likely to get into brawls as a child, and a bit of trouble as an adult. This difference in their personalities, added with the numerous landmines they encounter throughout their lives, makes for a truly gripping read.

In this fast-paced, and action-packed crime fiction, I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions – from sadness and anxiety to the occasional impulse to burst out in laughter. You will come across greedy politicians and long-hidden secrets. You will also meet shifty characters, and honest, well-meaning individuals. There are also some truly unexpected heroes. Without ruining the conclusion, I found the ending of the book quite unexpected, so that was also great, in that the story was not predictable.

As a fan of crime fiction, I enjoyed a lot about this book. The characters felt so real, you almost want to sit and have coffee or lunch with them. There is a fair bit of suspense, as well as awkward romances, and enough drama and action to see this story through. There is, unfortunately, also a fair amount of profanity, so I would definitely not encourage young readers to read this one. The book was professionally edited. I found no errors, which was an absolute joy.

I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is because of the simple reason that I found nothing not to like. I was entertained, captivated, and at times, left clutching to the edge of my seat. The writer served all of the characters justice. They felt human, each with their own quirks and strengths. He also did a great and seamless job at placing the book at different stages throughout the characters’ lives. If crime fiction is the genre for you, then I would certainly urge you to give this book a try. You will be shocked, amused, and intrigued. If this gem is anything to go by, Barry Litherland has truly found an absolute fan in me. I definitely look forward to getting my hands on many more of his books.

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Waves Break (on Unknown Shores)
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[Bigwig1973]

I loved your first line to kind of sum up their relationship! I wonder if they wouldn't have been friends later in life had the "terrible tragedy" not occurred? I also like how you mention all the types of characters the reader can expect to run into during the read! Nice review!