Showing posts with label true events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label true events. Show all posts

Monday, August 9, 2021

Book Review - The Residence by Andrew Pyper

 

In 1853, President Franklin Pierce and his family are traveling to Washington, DC when a tragic accident occurs. Their train runs off the rails and the passengers are violently thrown around in the cabin. When the train finally settles, the only casualty is Bennie, the beloved son of the President. Franklin's presidency is tainted with sorrow and grief.

When Franklin arrives to the White House, he notices weird occurrences. There are strange noises coming from the walls and ceilings along with visions of spirits that perished in the White House. The First Lady Jane Pierce decides to bring in the noted Spiritualists, the Fox Sisters, for a séance. During the séance, the barrier between this world and the next is broken causing something dangerous to come through and take residence in the mansion. Franklin and Jane are overcome with grief but, they know they need to banish the dark presence before it takes over the White House.

The book had an interesting premise but, I think it lacked in execution. The author slowly built up the story but, it went nowhere. I quickly lost interest when I was seventy percent finished because the author was introducing creepy elements that didn't seem to have a purpose. I found the novel to be incredibly boring and couldn't be bothered to finish the rest of it.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Book Review - A History of Violence: Living and Dying in Central America by Óscar Martínez

Photo Credit - Amazon
Central America is one of the deadliest places on Earth. Both El Salvador and Honduras have the highest homicide rate for the past decade with Guatemala following. Everyday more than 1,000 people are displaced from their home as they try to flee for their safety. Oscar Martinez goes to Central America and interviews people to get their first hand account of the brutality and crime in Central America. 

Oscar treks to small towns, jungle villages even Mexican brothels to get talk to the people and report about their living conditions. He also talks with those who work in drug trader, policemen, government officials,  hit men and gang informants.  The novel reads like one big article and at times confusing to keep traffic of all the people and names. Each chapter, Oscar focus on another topic or person but there are sometimes overlapping key elements. A good book to enlighten readers of the trouble brewing among our borders but it wasn't for me.

**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected eBook PDF file in exchange for my honest opinion**