I received an e-book copy of Double Vision, authored by Hamelin Bird, published by Piper House, for review consideration. What follows is my honest review, freely given.
I rated this novel 4.5 stars. At the time of writing this review, this debut novel is a finalist for the 2021 da Vince Eye (Eric Hoffer) Award!
If you are like me dear reader, you will start off this tale confused, disoriented, and not minding one iota. Alcoholism in its many stages are central to this story, including: MC is a long sufferer, beginning roots placed during youthful endeavors, healing paths fought daily, lives too young to partake but affected all the same. This novel is a seething roil of rage and loss, torment and duplicity, and every person within guilty of sin. There are whole sections that read like sandpaper on the walls of your heart, and you will turn the page gladly for more; I think we have all been there with a story once or twice before. If not, then welcome, buckle up and stay hydrated.
This is more than just a cop thriller. Or a supernatural horror. Or even a blend of the two. I feel there were some things left to the readers imagination, whether we will know more at a later time I always appreciate it when an author gives us characters that are not perfect, in any one direction. Perfectly good or evil, or boring or bright; humans are flawed and nasty, unexpected. As a child the perfect princess and prince may have had their place in my heart, but now I connect with the ones that try and fail, or dont even want to try because theyre tired. That coupled with a puzzling otherness to contend with, made this an every-mans fight against evil novel. The kind of fight that I might one day face, and it made me believe that I may not get my butt kicked immediately.
I had questions at the end of this novel, but they were of the type that made me enjoy the story for how it was written. The author left me wanting to know more, not silently cursing because it all came down to a space spider. Im not sure if there is another book planned, and either way I believe works; the authors ending is true to life, things are continuing past our view. So if a sequel happens, I will thank Hamelin Bird for allowing us a glimpse back into a world where Forgiveness Is Not Enough are words I never want to see hanging from a house Ive entered.
