Review: Father and Son - a good read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2014
Crime novels, of the mafia style, typically are not something I choose to read. But I’m glad I picked this one up. This is the second book in the John Ray series and I haven’t read the first. However, I had no difficulty following the events or characters as they story played out.John Ray, the only remaining son in the Tony Ray family, spent most of his life trying to escape the ‘family’. But escape seems to be impossible when an old friend, Roberto, is murdered. Lanny Bride, his father’s protégé, has called him in to find the murderer and keep the police at bay. John has too many fond memories of Roberto from his childhood and cannot refuse the request.  He realizes he will need help and calls on his ex-girlfriend, Den, to help him out. Den works as a Detective Sergeant for the Manchester CID and being close to John has placed her in precarious situations in the past. He also has to contend with Jeanette, the investigative reporter, he has been seeing for the past couple of weeks as she prepares to write his father’s biography.As John investigates he finds his father may not have been the man he thought. For John this is almost unacceptable. He knew of the shady business deals, the counterfeiting, and such but connections to the Leeds bombing are just out of the question. John is forced to face the past as he looks for the murderer and must come to terms with the life his family has led. The story takes several twists and turns until you arrive at a somewhat unexpected ending.Barlow’s writing style may be a little different but I find it draws you in as a reader to make you feel a part of the story, seeing events through your own eyes. Some may find the style difficult, but I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from John Barlow.