Genre: Crime
Fiction
Description:
“Carlos Ramirez is an Ivy League educated lawyer and the son of an
infamous drug lord. He spent most of his life sheltered from the seedier side
of his father’s business dealings, devoting his time to running his family’s
legal business ventures. All that changes, however, when his father is murdered
by his partner, the head of the northeast Irish mob. Consumed by hatred, he and
his sister Lena exact their revenge.
Seemingly oblivious to the collateral damage he is causing, Carlos’s
actions result in the death of a number of innocent people. The deepest of
regret follows. Given the perspective of time, he comes to grieve his actions,
leading him to the brink of suicide.
Carlos’s sister, Lena, is a very different person. While Carlos avoids
his father’s legacy, Lena embraces it, maturing to become a major crime boss.
As the story unfolds, Carlos devises a desperate plan to soothe his stricken
conscience. What Carlos does not realize, though, is that Lena and her
professional killer are watching over him, protecting him from danger.”
Author:
“Dr. James Clifton is retired from the U.S.
military and also retired from a career as an engineer. He currently spends his
time fishing the lakes of Northern Alabama, golfing, hiking, and, when he has
time, writing stories.”
Appraisal:
In my review of Change of Heart, the first book in the Legacy
of Loyalty series of which this is book two, I said the protagonist of that
book, John Cooper, isn’t your typical crime fiction protagonist. Carlos
Ramirez, who we met in that first book and is the main protagonist of this one,
also breaks the mold. Although he certainly is far from perfect, his past has
mostly been working in the more legitimate parts of his crime-lord father’s
business empire, but since his father’s death events are pulling him more and
more into the seedier side of things. He doesn’t exactly like that.
The main story of Penance is Carlos trying to maneuver things
in such a way as to get his business interests back to a legitimate place while
protecting his crime boss sister from repercussions. If other crime bosses feel
backlash, that’s a good thing though. Almost a form of penance, a way for
Carlos to try to atone for those questionable things he hasn’t been able to
avoid. This was an engaging read. It kept me guessing most of the way and doesn’t
read like a typical crime novel in many ways, yet still feels credible.
Buy now
from: Amazon US Amazon UK
FYI:
This is the second book in what is currently a three-book series.
Format/Typo
Issues:
No significant issues.
Rating: ****
Four Stars
Reviewed
by: BigAl
Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words
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