A True Wordsmith Offers up Suspicion
~ Amy Lignor
There are many authors who take a reader ‘slowly into that good night’. However, the real genius knows how to create the ultimate lead-in. They are the wordsmiths who can, in one page or one paragraph, grab the reader’s attention and never let go. This is one author who does just that.
Abe Lincoln’s bodyguard decides to stay for another drink at the bar while at Ford’s Theatre during intermission. The Archduke’s driver makes a wrong turn in Sarajevo because he refuses to ask directions. You finally listen to your know-it-all brother-in-law and invest everything you have with a guy named Bernie Madoff. These are a series of small decisions that become huge mistakes, building the backbone of history.
Danny Goodman’s small mistake begins with a quick handshake and a friendly smile. Danny is a man sliding into the abyss as he attempts to keep his daughter enrolled in a fancy school he can no longer afford. With his wife deceased, it’s just Danny and his daughter, Abby, and Dad loves his daughter so much he wants nothing more than to provide his girl with what she ultimately wants.
A miracle occurs when Danny meets up with the father of Abby’s best friend. Thomas Galvin is one of the richest men in Boston, and offers Danny a fist-full of money to help pay for Abby’s tuition. The offer makes Danny slightly uncomfortable but he takes the money and swears to pay back every penny. The ‘too good to be true’ rule applies when, almost as soon as receiving the loan, Danny gets a visit from the DEA threatening him with jail time for accepting drug money. The only way out of the mess is for Danny to spy for the DEA and give them information on his new shady benefactor.
This plot is charged with electricity, and causes the reader to change allegiances many times before the last words come to pass. A true genius wordsmith, this is one author who has created solid suspense gold.
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
