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Guidance to Death
Frank Adams, a distinguished accident investigative consultant, is suddenly thrust into a perilous situation when Mrs. Rawlson enlists his services to probe her husband’s suspicious death in a plane crash. With a solid background as a former employee of the National Transportation Safety Board, Adams had been accustomed to leading a relatively tranquil life, dealing with cases that were free of illegal or hazardous activities. However, his peaceful existence is upended, his life is imperiled when his house and office come under constant surveillance and unknown assailants attempt to take his life. To unearth the truth about the murder of Charles Rawlson, CEO of Amertex Electronics, Adams must outmaneuver his attackers and navigate the labyrinth of a complex conspiracy.
Guidance to Death is a finely crafted detective story replete with suspense and intrigue that keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. Despite knowing the identity of the murderer from the outset, the brisk pace of the narrative maintains readers on the edge of their seats and second-guessing how the story will ultimately unfold. In addition, the story’s world-building is enriched by intricate details such as the layout of Mr. Rawlson’s mansion, Helen’s pride in the home security system, the enigmatic yet trustworthy bond between Frank and ‘the major,’ and the witty description of Corey as a bear sitting in a miniature sports car, infusing the dangers with an added air of realism.
Guidance to Death by Daniel V. Meier Jr. is a riveting detective novel that has readers in suspense throughout this thrilling story. While Saunders and his extremist cohorts appear to conform to a convenient archetype of villainy, lacking sufficient depth to explain their motivations, the story is captivating and refreshingly original. This fascinating novel is a highly entertaining read and comes strongly recommended to all.
Pages: 280 | ISBN : 8886330022
Bloodroot
![Bloodroot by [Daniel V. Jr. Meier]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41q9TwLNWJL.jpg)
Bloodroot, by Daniel V. Meier Jr., tells the story of Matthew as he arrives in newly established Jamestown, in the spring of 1609. As he attempts to resist the lust for gold sweeping through the fort, Matthew discovers the harsh life of the American colonies. He prevails over many trials, but this is Jamestown, 1609. More perils await him as he remains in Virginia.
Meier gives readers a story depicting the cruelty of men and the ruthlessness to which men are driven under duress. It hides none of the ugliness of the colonial era, instead presenting the bare bones of Jamestown. While at times crude, there was a stark feeling of realism giving to the reader, for the better or the worse, an immersive tale. The prose was appropriate and well chosen. Dialogues often left me breathless, presenting thoughts in a natural, yet elegant manner. I have to note that descriptions did not stick with me half as much as the dialogues. Being fully immersed within Matthew’s mind, I found this disappointing. The first person narration was masterfully done, and Matthew was a living, breathing companion as I read his story.
While I enjoyed this story, I felt that the reveal of this tale being an autobiographic story came too late and too suddenly. I had been content to wander alongside Matthew in his life, but the moment it was revealed to be an introspective work, I began looking for hints. Unfortunately, I could find none. I admit that it is a testament to the strength of the narration. There is no flaw to be found in Matthew’s voice. The storyline was interesting, with side characters that left me wanting more. By midpoint, the story began to unfold, and it became a gripping tale that captured all my attention. Matthew’s struggles with his own morality, with his desire for Anne and his wish to find peace, were suddenly made starker under the pressure applied by the later half of the story.
Overall, Bloodroot was a compelling book, with dynamic characters who made you doubt your own morality. Author Daniel Meier Jr. gives readers an evocative historical fiction novel that is consistently entertaining.
Pages: 376 | ASIN: B08HFGPGCY
LITERARY TITAN 