The Good of the Many is More Important...Or is it?

This book asks the question made most famous by "Spock" in "Star Trek - The Wrath of Khan": "Is the good of the many more important than the good of the few--or the one" (paraphrase)? And, if it is, is it the moral/right/decent/human thing to "Kill Someone" to make it so?

The main character, Chris, is given this very dilemma. He is just a normal young man--maybe a little lazy, maybe not too ambitious, maybe a little lost-- when he is literally forced to grow up and make choices no one should have to make for seemingly no reason. Chris must decide whether he can kill someone to save the lives of five sisters being held captive by the mysterious, "Man in White".

So how does a person go from being a slacker to having peoples' lives in his hands? We go every step of the way through it with Chris. At first he is incredulous; then comes denial; then comes acceptance; and then comes the anguish of the terrible decisions he is being forced to make. We learn about Chris' life through brief scenes from his past. He seems to have had a good life with a loving family, but he has also been harassed and discriminated against because he is black. Chris is written as a fully developed character. We know him, so we know the horror he feels, the frenzy he feels to do something--but he doesn't know what--and the self-doubts he has as to whether or not he can actually kill someone. He wants to do the right thing; he just doesn't know what that is. Could anyone? Could you?

If you don't want to talk about politics or global warming this Christmas, I suggest buying this book and a few copies as gifts for the family you will be sharing your Christmas with. This book asks questions that will lead to discussions (maybe heated ones) about what each reader would do if placed into the same position as Chris. You can literally discuss this book for hours and come away with no solid answers because the answers are personal to each individual person. Can you justify your beliefs as Chris must do? Can you explain your actions as Chris must do? Can you live with the end result of those actions as Chris must do for the rest of his life?

There are other questions raised when Chris finds out why this happened to him. Those questions may be even more difficult to answer. I have to say this book did not end the way I thought it would, nor the way I wanted it to, but it probably ended just the way it was supposed to end based on everything that happened previously. You'll probably have to read this again to catch things you might have missed the first time so that you come to some understanding of the decisions Chris makes. You may or may not agree with those decisions, but the book tells you why he made them, although you may not realize it at the time.

This is the second straight book of Luke Smitherd's that had nothing to do with the paranormal or science fiction, and I think it is a very good sign that this is probably one of his best books. It shows the range the author has and will keep readers eagerly anticipating his books, not knowing which direction he is going to go next. For current and future fans of Luke Smitherd, this is a very good thing. We already know he is an excellent writer, and now we are learning that he can write about almost anything and it will be of the same quality, with the same ability to make us think, make us wonder, make us scared, and make us question things we never thought twice about before.

I can't wait to see what comes next.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

12 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Entirely different

this was it entirely different type of suspense novel, with the perfect narration. I've been getting a little tired of the same old crime, detective, and suspense novels, haven't you?

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

If I Had A Hammer

I'd have to use the hammer ,left with Chris's choices. Being a lot older than him I'd have an easier time finding a worthy victim. Could I really do the deed? For my children maybe. Very thought provoking and enthralling book with great narration.I'm texting my kids with recommendation. We've found a new author.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Excellent!!

First time too listen and read books by Luke Smitherd. I'm looking for more of his books.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

what an amazing book! loved it!!!

I thought from the description that it might be predictable. It was not.
This story will stay with me for a very long time. I am so happy to have discovered this author. The narrator was great too!
I am already listening to another book by Luke Smitherd as I write this review.
Highly recommend this book, this author, and this narrator!

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I loved this story!!

I never saw the ending coming. though I had wondered if that could be a possible outcome

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Too dark for me

I love Luke Smithered and The Stone Man is one of my favourite novels but I just couldn't finish this one. To be honest, I didn't get that far into it but it was just way too dark. The reason I love Luke Smithered's books is that they take me to ideas, thoughts and scenarios that I probably wouldn't go to on my own and each time I learn something while being totally enthralled with the plot. I have no doubt the plot would have grabbed me but I don't think it would have been an enjoyable read.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Wow!

this is one of the most original and thought provoking books I have ever come across. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author. the narrator is excellent. you will not be shortchanged.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Thought provoking and suspenseful

This book got me thinking and imagining myself in the narrator's shoes, which is a great quality in a novel. I enjoyed the story arc and feel that the ending was fitting. The pacing was a tiny bit halting at times, but I am very satisfied and pleased to have experienced this story.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

So long reality...

Any additional comments?

There is nothing like coming to that moment when you realize everything you have known isn't what you thought it was. As always, Mr. Smitherd has been able to unfold another "Made you think" moment wrapped in a captivating story. Well done as always!

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile