Erin Healy's website blurb
Serena’s career as a high school
biology teacher ends just as it’s beginning, when an angry student accuses her
of unthinkable behavior. Stunned and suspended, Serena retreats to the forest
where she usually finds privacy and beauty. But on this day she encounters
something even more unexpected than the end of her dreams: a killer, his
prisoner, and a stranger who dies to save Serena’s life.
Christopher has spent a decade
rescuing girls from the underworld of sex trafficking—starting with his sister
Amber. Their tiny nonprofit protects girls from seduction, but their hearts’
desire is to bring down John Roman, the powerful criminal who first took Amber
and has ruined thousands of young women since.
When Christopher’s colleagues
suspect Serena of being in league with Roman, her life spirals out of control.
How will she clear her name? Why did a stranger protect her with his life? And
what is the meaning of the visions she sees whenever she visits the gutted
house where he died?
The answers lie with her enemies,
and with all the imprisoned women whose names she doesn’t even know yet.
My Review
This has all the hallmarks of
what we’ve come to expect from Healy: gripping suspense, characters grappling
with their external world but also with what’s in their heart, and an insider’s
perspective of the “thin places” where the natural and supernatural intersect.
However, added to this novel is an especially powerful story line drawing the
reader into the dark sinister world of human trafficking.
The novel starts fast and doesn’t let up. Healy’s descriptive powers
make this novel a highly visual experience. We get multiple points of view
which I enjoyed as it enlightened the experience in my mind.
The story demonstrates how human trafficking is able to proliferate due
to systematic abuse, deceit and corruption. For much of the novel we’re not
exactly sure whether the heroes are actually villains and vice-versa. As the
story unfolds the layers gradually peel away to reveal some very courageous
people and sinister bad guys.
Serena Diaz and Amber Larsen are two very gutsy women, both survivors of
this heinous industry, and marvelously crafted. They are drawn together,
coincidentally, by Amber’s brother, Christopher. Embedded in both ladies is his
passion and energy to rescue those in need and shine light in the darkness of
the industry that has played such a role in their lives since their youth.
The bad guys are creepy in their arrogance, abuse of power and complete
disregard for the lives of the many they destroy. Healy reveals the
far-reaching tentacles of structured corruption that pervades the industry.
Ian Acheson is an author
and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of
speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can
find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter
Wow! Sounds like an utterly fab read, Ian. Thanks for highlighting it.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, this is my favourite of Erin's novels. Strong characters, provocative story and excellent writing.
DeleteSo great to see your reviews on other sites, Ian. And thanks again for being so generous with the praise! Your fan, Erin
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin for popping over to ACW. Always great when the author drops in.
DeleteExcellent review, Ian.
ReplyDeleteI didn't especially enjoy the last Erin Healy novel I read - I found her "thin places" idea detracted from the plot rather than adding to it, but it sounds as though this doesn't have the same problem.
Iola, there's less emphasis on the 'thin places' in this one. And Erin incorporates it differently this time - the 'thin place' is a physical location.
DeleteA really enjoyable read.
pretty nice blog, following :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome and I trust you may pop by again.
DeleteGreat review, Ian. What higher praise from a reader than 'hard to put down' and 'sad it ended.'
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this book and author.
Dotti, Erin knows how to grab a reader. With her editorial background, Erin knows how to style an engaging story. I found the story fascinating and it's a gutsy subject for a Christian author to feature.
DeleteIan, fabulous review! I'm intrigued by the story premise. It sounds like an excellent read, that would keep me up until 3am! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteHi Narelle, like you I found the story premise intriguing especially for a Christian author to tackle. Many of us would shy away from it.
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