Review: Dark Overtones Related to Human Trafficking and Mormon Religion
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
Shirleen Davies has the ability to come up with very interesting characters among the MacLaren family members even though I have had my own "dislikes" in the way most of these characters have been portrayed.  In "Deadlier than the Rest," I am of the opinion the storyline involved too many "plots within plots."  The major characters' lives would have made interesting stand alone stories with a few of their own supporting characters, particularly in a book that has only 159 pages.Instead, what we have is Connor MacLaren, cousin to the "original" characters of Fire Mountain (Niall, Jamie, Drew, Will), who has been searching several years for his sister, Meggie - stolen from home when she was a teenager.  Again, we have a very interesting character in Connor but much is taken away from Connor and his search for Meggie and his love interest, Grace, due to branches of the storyline taking off here and there and everywhere. In addition, Connor proves he is a true MacLaren when he becomes disappointed in Grace and his stubborn MacLaren nature arises which causes their romance to not be resolved until the last few pages of the story - too little, too late, Connor! But this stubbornness is typical of the MacLaren men.  Many readers must like this trait because Ms. Davies' books get a lot of rockin' five star reviews.  Kudos to her!  Nobody can and should try to take that away. It doesn't mean that all of us have to agree, however.Meggie's is a very sad story - nonetheless, a story that has real contemporary meaning in the society in which we currently live as it relates to human trafficking.  It wasn't an easy story to read and to Ms. Davies' credit, specific, sordid, sexual details were not included in the book.  I was a little surprised that the storyline actually included the Mormon community as part of the human trafficking situation of that day, at least as it related to Meggie's story.I finished the book so I could write a review.  It is definitely NOT the type of book I enjoy reading for relaxation and enjoyment.  Aside from the storyline branching out here and there too much for my reading pleasure, I don't fancy reading western historical romance novels with this type of dark overtone - just a personal preference.