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Paul Davidson relives the nightmare every night in his mind. The trauma of his son Ryan’s final moments on earth plays on a loop. The consumption of alcohol and drugs only postpones the inevitable nightly event. The abduction and murder of Ryan was a tragedy that tore a hole through the hearts of Paul and his wife, Ellen. Since then, Paul has become consumed with rage, a man waiting to be triggered. His brother Joe is concerned with Paul’s downward spiral, his emotional descent on display for all to see. Joe wants to reach out to his brother but doesn’t know how to approach him. Soon, a third party reaches out to Paul with an offer of revenge that may be too good to refuse. Paul may have found an outlet for his fury.
The suffering of a family in the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy is coupled with the idea of vengeance in this superb drama. The death of a loved one is difficult to cope with, but when it’s the result of someone’s reckless disregard for life, the idea of carrying on appears impossible. The protagonist is a father who wants to lash out but often subjects himself to a painful self-flagellation. When Paul is at his lowest point, he has an angel and devil on his shoulder, offering him relief from pain. The story’s impact arises from Paul’s decision to either seek help for his problems or to give in to his demons and carry out an act of violence. This is an emotional and edgy novella that hits hard long after it’s concluded.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review