I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Under Fire by Linda Shenton Matchett Published by eLectio Publishing LLC on July 25th 2017
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 266
Source: CelebrateLit
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Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth follows clues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead.
When this book came up available with CelebrateLit I was drawn to the story-line. The potential this story had was too much to pass up. An intriguing time period in history, an engaging synopsis, and the promise of something exciting. I wanted so much from this book, expected it. While parts didn’t disappoint other’s, unfortunately, did. The main character was engaging and the story was interesting. Ruth is an interesting character. She’s headstrong, determined, and intelligent. I would have loved the chance to actually read an article or two that she had written. Sometimes I feel like she ‘won’ too easily but then she was build as determinedly headstrong so I suspect there’s some history there to pave her way.
Let’s talk nitty gritty. There’s a few things that I feel compelled to address. Some are simply things I struggle with, like the sheer volume of characters. Some that I felt didn’t really lend to the story at all. When there’s a lot of names to try and remember where they play I drowned just a little. I had a hard enough time remembering my own name sometimes ya know? Ruth was very passionate about what she believed as far as her sister’s death. She came off as wild goose chase. For someone who appeared to be a respected journalist she threw some random straws together and came to a conclusion that she treated as fact. And no one called her on it?!? She chased this conclusion to a war zone across the ocean and no one called her on it. Oh to have that power!
Finally let’s talk pace and story flow. The pace was too slow to build to the action, with extraneous things thrown in that didn’t add to the story. Once the action was in place it was set up then glossed over and talked about after the fact without a glimpse into what was actually happening. Seriously a telegram that her sister’s body was been found but then the entire conversation about it was off screen? Everything was resolved off screen and so I felt a lack of completion and closure to the story-line. At the same time feeling as though the questions that came up weren’t all answered. And those that were answered were only partially answered. I need more!
I know it seems like I did a month’s worth of laundry at one go with that list but this story is so much more than that list. This story still holds so much promise for me. I appreciate the author’s process and her writing style. I’m actually looking forward to future books and opportunities to get to know this author better.
About Linda Shenton Matchett
very detailed and descriptive review
a very detailed and descriptive review, I enjoyed it.
Thank you!