Review of The Fresno Incident

[Jeffrey S Brown]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fresno Incident" by Philip L. Rettew.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Life is not fair. Religion, politics, romance—none is entirely just, equitable or sure of a happy outcome or even a certain one under the most ordinary circumstances. That doesn’t stop people from trying to tip the scales in their favor or at least keep them in balance. The Chancellor Organization is a private, secretive, idealistic, well-funded group that takes that balance very seriously.

A small cell of Islamic jihadists is also serious. After years of careful preparation, a plan for a substantial terror attack proceeds with the intent of causing massive property damage and loss of life as propaganda for their extremist beliefs. A cross-country journey in an ordinary U-Haul begins in Miami, heading for Fresno, CA, with stops to collect substantial quantities of high-explosive and change team members, thus hiding the trail of the operation.

Meanwhile, a rapidly developing romantic relationship is growing between a mesmerizing singer and a bar owner in Denver. Sasha and Jake plan to meet after Sasha returns from an appearance in Fresno. The events in Fresno attracted the attention of the Chancellor Organization, which focuses resources on finding the origin of the terrorist plot, the participants, and the procurement of the bomb materials, as well as locating the now-missing Sasha.

The plot is not unique, but the author skillfully tells the story in a way that captures my interest. Action, romance, technical savvy, and detail combine the subplots, keeping the story engaging. There is occasionally too much detail. The description of clothing and room furnishings irrelevant to the story adds realism but distracts from the narrative flow. The manuscript would also benefit from more diligent proofreading, though overall editing is quite good. References to the terror attack on September 11, 2001, serve to provide an emotional touchstone for readers who remember that horrific time.

I liked the treatment that author Rettew gave this storyline, but I also appreciated that the romantic elements do not take over the narrative. The horror of not knowing the fate of a loved one in a terror attack is covered in a very sympathetic manner. Excepting the proofreading, The Fresno Incident is an entertaining book for adult readers of the action/conspiracy genre, and I recommend it with four out of five stars.

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The Fresno Incident
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[Williams Jaden]

In this gripping tale, The Chancellor Organization introduces a covert group committed to restoring balance in a world fraught with injustice. When a cell of jihadists embarks on a meticulously planned cross-country mission to unleash terror, the stakes rise with every stop. This high-stakes thriller delves into the clash between ideology and intervention, promising suspense and thought-provoking action.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Based on the review, "The Fresno Incident" appears to be an interesting and engaging book in the action/conspiracy genre. The author skillfully combines action, romance, and technical savvy, keeping the story engaging throughout. The treatment of the storyline and the sympathetic portrayal of the horror of a loved one's fate in a terror attack add depth to the narrative. While there are some distractions due to excessive detail and minor proofreading issues, the overall editing is good. I would rate this book a solid four out of five. Suspenseful narrative, kept me guessing eagerly.

[Joe Alex 2]

The blend of action, romance, and terrorism in this plot seems to create an engaging narrative with well-crafted subplots. I appreciate that the romance doesn’t overshadow the tension and urgency of the terrorist plot. While the occasional over-detailing and proofreading issues are noted, the story itself seems well worth reading for those who enjoy action and conspiracy genres. I’m intrigued and will likely read this book.