Clichés exist for a reason.
That is because they have been found over time to be very applicable to
a number of situations to the point where they are overused. Despite the use of clichés being the cardinal
sin of writers, I am going to start this review with one. Don’t judge a book by its cover. I don’t think I have ever encountered a story
that had as much to offer, yet presented itself with a cover that would likely
make me pass it up in a bookstore or online, as Louis Weinberger’s Into the Devil’s Reach.
Looking at the current cover of this book, you would expect
to see Harlequin’s logo somewhere prominent on the front. A very attractive woman, wearing revealing
leather with one leg over the shoulder of an extremely physically fit man does
seem like something they would present.
From this, one might expect that the story within fit the similar
formula of many other romance novels, even those that try to spice up the
romance with other story elements. This
image does no justice to the story Weinberger tells us in this incredible
novel.
“Sexy and alluring,
Chicago Detective Jennifer Mueller is the perfect bait to catch a satanic heavy
metal singer/serial killer. When the “sting”
goes wrong, lives are lost. Seeking
revenge, the killer’s satanic family lures Detective Mueller to a small town
where she falls into the devil’s reach.”
If, based on this scant description and the previously
mentioned issues with the cover, you passed this book up and went to look for
other thrilling tales of suspense, you would be doing yourself a grave
injustice. Weinberger sets up an erotic
thriller that matches the talent of any from the genre that have put pen to
paper before him. Make no mistake, this
is an erotic thriller. However, Weinberger
sets upon the perfect blend of elements. The elements of sex in the novel, while
definitely present and intense, do not overshadow the rest of the story. Weinberger skillfully presents intense scene
of horror and action that really dominate the tale.
Weinberger’s descriptions of the action and the killing will
have you visualizing something right out of a Hollywood blockbuster. The vivid word pictures extend to all parts
of the book.
The characters are
presented both with shining attributes as well as human flaws. Detective Jennifer Meuller reminded me of
John Sanford’s Lucas Davenport from the Prey
series. She is tough, but human. She doesn’t always make the correct
decisions, but has a code that she will stick to above anything else. She is a gritty, take-no-shit woman who
deserves to have her story continued in future stories. At the same time, her presence does not
overpower the rest of the characters, each playing their own part to
perfection, no matter how big or small.
Perhaps the greatest compliment that I can pay to Louis
Weinberger after reading Into the Devil’s
Reach is that to call him a writer is not sufficient. Weinberger is a story teller in the grandest
tradition of the title. He draws us in
quickly and never lets us go. I hope to
find that this is only the first of many stories that Weinberger will take the
time to tell us.
So, let’s take a look at the Rage Circus breakdown:
Story Concept - 4/5
Story Execution - 5/5
Story Flow – 4.5/5
Character Development (give-a-damn factor) - 5/5
Gripping visuals/details - 5/5
Entertainment Value/Story Engagement - 5/5
Editing (including grammar and spelling) – 4.5/5
Overall – 4.7/5 – READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
You can pick up your copy at http://www.louisweinberger.com
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