Review: The series keeps getting better
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 11, 2014
A Poison Tree, the third book in the Time, Blood and Karma series for author John Dolan is actually a prequel. It tells the story of how the main character, David Braddock came to be in Thailand.It is also my favourite of the three books so far. I know I'm giving away a lot here. It's akin to choosing a favourite child--you're not supposed to do it, but ...Everyone Burns (Time, Blood and Karma)kicked off the series and captivated me based on a strong protagonist in an exotic land.Hungry Ghosts (Time, Blood and Karma)continued the trend with more shenanigans and provided further insight into David Braddock's mind.In A Poison Tree, the setting has moved from Thailand to England. We are taken back in time (1999 - 2001) to where David Braddock grew up, got married, and led a `normal' life before something happened to him, causing him to flee to Southeast Asia. That something is revealed in this book. The tale is fascinating, twisted, and unpredictable.The intricate story of David and his wife Claire drew me in from the start. It was a complex relationship of secrets and lies, but in the end, it was a love story. I'm a sucker for a love story. I challenge anyone not to be when it's written with poignant detail, yet never spirals into over-sentimentality.  If you don't feel your throat clenching or your heart sinking while reading some of the passages, I'd suggest checking to make sure you still have a pulse.With colourful characters and a criminal element dished out in subtle narrative, A Poison Tree is an angst-filled journey guided by cunning misdirection. For lovers of mystery and thriller novels, there is plenty of intrigue and moments of "I DID NOT see that coming." What's more, the atmospheric pace counterpoints perfectly with noir-ish undertones.Even though each of Mr. Dolan's books stands on its own, I loved reading them in the order he wrote them. He drew me in so cleverly with his first two books, and A Poison Tree answered the outstanding questions.What a joy to discover a series that only keeps getting better.