Escape To Redemption - Peter M. Parr (GIVEAWAY!)
4 Stars!
Josie only had the gun to frighten Curtis Rook, but his son disturbed her. One startled reflex and now he's dead. Josie flees to Poland leaving her boyfriend Snaz to take the rap. A reformed criminal offers her refuge from the police and the chance to begin a new life, but she cannot hide from her guilt. As the stakes rise, Josie begins to realize that only her own forgiveness can set her free. Fast-paced and original, Peter M. Parr's contemporary take on Crime and Punishment challenges traditional ideas about guilt and redemption, and the meaning of forgiveness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Peter M. Parr works part-time as a civil servant, which gives him time to indulge his passion for writing. He lives in Hastings, East Sussex, overlooking the sea. He is a Quaker and student of 'A Course in Miracles'.
Visit his web-site - www.thingstoremember.org.uk.
MY THOUGHTS -
Is it possible to read a murder suspense story and be rooting for the murderers? Well you do in this book.
This story is told through the eyes of the two unlikely murderers.
One, Josie, "the mastermind" a young woman whom I did not like in the beginning but grew to like her more and more as the story unfolded. I love strong female characters and Josie is that. She is smart, makes her own decisions (good or bad) and owns up to them actually weighing out the consequences. At first I thought she was a using, conniving B****, but you do find out that she has a heart and a conscience. I also liked that she was afraid at times and was unsure what to do - she was human. I think if I had done what she did I would have reacted in much the same way.
The second is Snaz who I grew to dislike more and more as the story went on. He is a very simple man who would do anything for anyone - which gets him into trouble. I didn't like his personality. I don't like people who just blindly do whatever you tell them. (Well I should rephrase that - I don't like that trait in characters, if I met him in person I might like him, he was a very sweet guy!) To me, he was not just simple but a bumbling idiot. He made decisions without thinking just because he was mad or to get back at someone and then sometimes regretted them after.
There were a few minor characters in here that I just was not sure about. I didn't know if they should be trusted and what there intentions were. I liked this actually, it was another added layer to the story. The only thing I didn't really like were the flash backs without warning, it was a bit confusing. Other than that everything was very well done! And - good ending.
This is a fast reading, very suspenseful story with quite a few twists that keep you guessing. Definitely a page turner and well worth the read!
EXCERPT FROM ESCAPE TO REDEMPTION
They had a job to find the cafe, off the main road between a halal take-away and a laundrette. A woman in her forties stood up, gaping at Josie. Mutton dressed as lamb was the first thought that came to Snazās mind.Thank you Virtual Book Tours for sending me this book for my honest review.
āAre you Erin?ā Josie asked.
The woman kept on staring. āYouāre such a likeness.ā
āAre you going to tell me who you are?ā
āWonāt you sit down?ā asked Erin. āI have to sit ā my legs have gone all like blancmange. I canāt get over it, to finally see you. Iāve been working out what Iād say. And now youāre here I donāt know how to start.ā
The waitress came over.
āHave something to drink, Josie. My treat. What can I get you?ā Erin asked.
āEspresso.ā
āWe donāt do espresso,ā said the waitress. āI can do you black coffee or white.ā
āBlack,ā said Josie. āActually, whatever. Iām not staying.ā
For a moment, Erin glanced at Snaz. Prior to that, she hadnāt acknowledged his existence. āCan I get you something too?ā
āIām alright, thanks.ā He sat back from the table and wondered where to suggest to Josie they go next. The cinema? Hardly original, and he wanted to look at her and not a film. For a meal? He doubted sheād be impressed by any place he knew or could afford. Camden Market? What could interest her there? Maybe if they simply went for a walk in Finsbury Park he could see if sheād let him put his arm around her. Start slow and romantic.
āI bought you a birthday present. Iām sorry itās two weeks late.ā Erin fumbled in her tiger-skin patterned handbag, pulled out a Spice Girls CD, and left it on the table when Josie didnāt take it. Snaz stopped himself laughing. āYou donāt like it.ā Erinās rasping voice faltered. āIām not sure what kind of music youāre into.ā
āHow did you know it was my birthday?ā Josie asked her. āWho are you anyway? Why did you write to me? And why are you giving me a birthday present when Iāve never met you before?ā
āJosie, you donāt remember me, but we have met. Your mum and me were best mates.ā
Josie stared at her gaudy make-up, at her suit a size too small. āMum and you?ā
The woman reached into her furry bag again and took out a see-through plastic wallet with a newspaper cutting folded inside it. Snaz wondered at her claw-like pink nails as she pointed to a picture on the yellowed page.
Josie shrugged, but not before Snaz saw her flinch. āSo youāve got a picture of some woman who looks a bit like me,ā she said. āSo what?ā
Snaz leaned forward to see. At first he thought it was Josieās picture: the pout, the raised cheekbones, most of all her eyes. He found it creepy. āMore than a bit,ā he said.
Josie cast him a look.
āRead what it says,ā Erin begged her. āRead the article, please.ā
Snaz watched Josie scan the cutting. Her lips parted. Then she put the paper down. āWhy are you showing me this?ā she asked Erin. āWhatās it got to do with me?ā
āLucy was your mum, Josie. Your real mum.ā
Josie looked at the photograph. Then at Erin. Then at the photo again.
āYou donāt remember, do you? You were barely three when she died.ā
āYouāre lying.ā
Snaz picked up the cutting. Girl, 3, hides as mum is stabbedā¦ PM speaks of shockā¦ Police were called to the prostituteās Finchley flat by a neighbour who heard shoutsā¦ ā¦arrived to find the victim deadā¦ ā¦multiple stab wounds to her body andā¦
Josie snatched the article, tried to rip it up, but the plastic wouldnāt tear. āIāve got a mum. She may not be much but at least she isnāt a whore.ā She spat the last word and stood up. āWeāre going. I donāt have to listen to these lies. Are you coming?ā Then, a split second later: āFine, donāt,ā she said before Snaz could reply.
The slamming door rattled Erinās empty cup and saucer on the table.
Snaz studied the photo. It could have been Josieās eyes staring back at him, and he knew Erin wasnāt lying. Murdered: Lucy Snowball, 23.
Erinās eye make-up had started to run. She struggled to pluck a paper napkin from the rack on the table and ended up pulling out three. āAre you Josieās boyfriend?ā
The question caught Snaz off guard. āSort of.ā
āGo after her... Wait.ā Erin touched his hand. āI didnāt mean to upset her. But donāt you think she has a right to know?ā
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oohhh, I've never come across a book that's only told in the POV of the murderer. it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed 'Escape To Redemption'! Thanks for taking part in the tour!
ReplyDeleteI've never read a book that would make me side with the murderer. This is going to be a great book to read.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds intriguing and Parr is a new author to me.
ReplyDelete