Review: An absolutely amazing short story!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 1, 2012
I only give a five-star rating if a work clearly blows me away, and this short story by LJ Holmes certainly qualifies. It's just as much a love story as it is a mystery, which means it has universal appeal. Take me, for example. I usually read dark fiction, science fiction, crime fiction, etc., so I had some doubts at first. However, I like to keep an open mind and venture outside my typical genres from time to time. In this case, I am glad I did. It's difficult to disclose much without giving away the story, as this is a mystery after all, but the build-up of suspense and anxiety was masterful. I felt as if I was in Jonathan's shoes throughout the entire story. Has his wife left him for another man? Has she been kidnapped? Is she involved in some sort of conspiracy? These are all questions the reader encounters. When the big reveal finally comes, it shocks you. Maybe others will see it coming, but I can honestly say I never did. We see despair and beauty at the same time. Thinking of my own wife while reading this story, I couldn't help but feel a variety of emotions. In fact, I haven't been this emotionally drawn to a story since reading Flowers for Algernon, and Holmes managed to do this in a much shorter work, which shows just how talented she is. I would recommend this book to ANYONE, regardless of what they typically read. If you're human, you will enjoy it. It's that simple.