"In your continued pursuit of that 'something for nothing' you may someday find yourself, to your sorrow, at the wrong house."
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An Eye for a Tooth:
Five Short Stories About Justice by G. Planedin Trafford Publishing
book review by Mihir Shah
Planedin aims directly at crimes committed against society's defenseless: women, children, and the elderly. Moreover, these five stories, particularly "Wrong House," expose the judicial system's greatest flaws and questions the painfully long wait for justice. The outcome in each of these stories, while farfetched and ambitious, seems fitting—yet would be nothing short of a miracle in reality. In "Maggie’s Turn," the protagonist falls prey to drugs and false promises from a man named Rennie. Her utter dependence on Rennie impels her to tolerate his violent and abusive behavior. "General Jessie," is another story where a relative from the military intervenes to rescue a loved one from a delusional biker gang. Again, the unfolding events make the story predictable. The author's sense of justice is crystal clear: If an individual initiates aggressive and potentially dangerous behavior, he should receive the maximum punishment. An "Eye For a Tooth" begs readers to contemplate why the legal system allows years to pass before prosecuting the criminal. Would society be better served to take justice into their own hands? "Wrong House" tells the tale of two senior citizens whose peaceful lives take a violent turn when intruders break in and proceed to assault the residents and rob the home. This short story captures the compilation's spirit of resilience and the meaning of true justice. "To Kill a Gopher," depicts similar characters—senior citizens—who are being preyed upon by a greedy owner.
The mantra throughout the stories is quite simple: Oppression should not be an option, and those who oppress would be better served to rethink their heinous plans. From sexual predators and drug lords to kidnappers and armed robbers seeking a quick buck, Planedin's collection covers a broad range of society's vice. Ideally, the world is a better place without them. Despite a sometimes suspect writing style, the author's message comes across loud and clear, a refreshing view on today'——s legal system.