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Vengeance Road
by Rick Mofina
Reporter Jack Gannon
has always dreamed of finding the one big story that would get him out
of Buffalo and into New York City and the big time. Jack
thinks he has an edge to that end. The body of Bernice
Hogan, a former nursing student, is uncovered in a shallow grave and
Jolene Peller, a single mother, vanishes the night she tries to help
Bernice. Policeman Karl Styebeck, a cop well known and loved
within the community, draws suspicions to himself, but with all his
contacts, he is untouchable. Jack Gannon, however, is determined
to track down the truth and the secrets so well hidden by the beloved
cop. Before the case is over, Jack's investigation will threaten
more than just his career. Following the thinnest of clues,
Jack's pursuit of the killer will take him down into the heart of the
trucking world, onto forgotten roads, and into the records of a town's
obscured history.
Rick Mofina's VENGEANCE ROAD is a fast-paced thriller written in a
style that ramps up the reading speed. Action takes precedence
over psychological depth, and yet, every once in a while, the author
includes descriptive passages or interior monologue that adds
atmospheric depth to this plot-centered suspense novel. Rick
Mofina writes from various points of views with the effect that the
reader not only knows Jolene's circumstances before the reporter does,
but also, the reader journeys with her, wanting her to somehow
escape. Jolene's determination to survive parallels Jack's
determination to track down the story, giving this novel more depth
than those suspense novels that thrive on body counts for all the
thrills. Jolene herself is as interesting a character as
Jack. At first glance, VENGEANCE ROAD falls in line with the
almost too familiar suspense scenario, but as the novel progresses,
Rick Mofina's voice becomes more and more unique. Although Jack
uncovers the strange confluence of history and psychology that
motivates the killer, VENGEANCE ROAD is not a profiler or psychological
suspense novel and therein lies the interest for this reader. The
novel picks up speed as Jack narrows down the trail. Twists and
turns and revelations add drama, chills, and an increasingly intriguing
confluence of knowledge and danger as Rick Mofina parcels out surprise
after surprise.
On one level, VENGEANCE ROAD is a light, easy to read enjoyable
suspense novel with a slightly hard-boiled shade, the perfect novel to
read as a distraction or to relax at the beach, in the airport, or
after a long day. Action drives this novel, not character
development. Nevertheless, Rick Mofina adds just enough depth and
internal dynamics within the novel, particularly in terms of the
similarities and contrasts between certain characters (the details of
which cannot be revealed without spoilers) to make this novel more
satisfying for the reader who wants a little more. VENGEANCE ROAD
introduces an intriguing protagonist in Jack Gannon. What gives
VENGEANCE ROAD its distinctive style, however, is the attention the
author gives to Jolene's character. Rather than just a story of
another prostitute brutalized by a sick killer equating sexuality with
evil, Rick Mofina's portrayal of the gutsy Jolene is a welcome change
from the typical suspense scenario. This reader hopes that as
the author develops the Jack Gannon series, the series will not lose
this distinctive flair. VENGEANCE ROAD is the perfect combination --- a
dark, horrific crime hunt for a killer written in an light,
action-packed style with just the right measure of depth to keep the
story haunting a reader after the last page has been turned.
Publisher: Mira (September 2009)
Author
Website
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
Review Courtesy of Amazon Vine
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