Crispy Critters

[Pemmycats8]

By Theo Cage
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a short thriller that is well imagined and satisfying.
The plot centers around two retired firefighters who take it upon themselves to hand out belated justice (and by the word justice I mean, "JUSTICE"). The story is intense but moderated by the main character's (Gordon's) self questioning and humor. For instance, he contemplates crossing the line from killing for justice to killing for self-preservation. Gordon recognizes that there is a fine line between whtat he is doing and what would be perceived (even in his own mind) as murder. He recognizes that this line is easily crossed and ambiguously defined.

Also, we have the moral voice of the book - the police officers. Leo and Gordon have convinced themselves that what they are doing is right. The police are there to bring us back to the mores of society. Killing is wrong. Leave justice to the Justice system. We cannot take retribution into our own hands because that path leads to chaos.

My one complaint is that Leo (the cohort to Gordon) is not well defined. We don't hear much about this character or his motivation. We understand that Gordon loves Leo (to the point of self-sacrificr). Indeed we are told this throughout the story. However, I did not love Leo. How could I when he is almost a shadow to Gordon's completely fleshed out character? In fact, Leo spends the final climatic fight scene in a drugged state (paralyzed but conscious). Leo is badly injured at the end. I understand that the author used Leo's injury as a motivator (Gordon would act to save his friend but not himself). However, I did not feel invested enough in his character to care. Leo was more a plot device than an actual person with actual pain. I don't know if I am expressing my frustration clearly enough but this point did annoy me.
Overall, I completely enjoyed this well written short story.
Thank you for giving me a chance to read and review your book!