Teaming up with an author like James Patterson only means that fans are in for a treat.
James Patterson and J.D. Barker each bring unique traits making this a do or die read.
Set in Hollows Bend, a seemingly idyllic, crimeless New England town, Matt, a 29-year-old deputy and Sheriff Ellie are investigating multiple crime scenes after a strange girl showed up naked in the doorway of the Sunshine Diner. The girl is described as mysterious, beautiful, angelic even, but her arrival was the start of all hell in the following hours.
Setting a sinister tone, crows fell at high speed from the sky in murder destroying anything in their paths. The quote: “Hope not ever to see Heaven. I have come to lead you to the other shore; into eternal darkness; into fire and into ice,” hints at the inescapable fate that awaited the town’s residents.
Confessions of the Dead is fast paced, introducing readers to a wide range of similar characters busy with mundane daily tasks that are familiar to us all. A mother battling with depression, deals with the stresses of remote work and mischievous children in the house, an old man tries to read the paper while his wife keeps interrupting his train of thought, and teenagers in love on a secret day trip out of town. But these scenes very suddenly shift to scenes of chaos and paranoia.
As the story progresses, the line between heroes and villains becomes increasingly blurred. The plot twists are masterfully executed, leaving readers questioning the true nature of the characters involved.
I enjoyed the supernatural undertones, particularly the strange girl, who also possesses the power to transport people back in time. She shows characters their sins through vivid visualisations that blur the lines between past and present.
The gory depictions of violence and horror may be off-putting for some; admittedly, if this were a movie, the scenes of bugs crawling under Malcolm’s skin might have prompted a quick switch-off. A testament to how the authors managed to effectively set a dark atmosphere.
Confessions of the Dead lingers long after the last page is turned, leaving readers to ponder the horrid secrets that lie hidden in the smallest towns.
Confessions of the Dead by James Patterson and J.D. Barker is available on loot.co.za
Cape Times
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