Family MoneyAudio CD

Alex Dobson with his wife, daughters, and in-laws travel just across the border into Mexico to help paint an orphanage and give the kids an experience that they would remember. While Alex and his father-in-law, Joe, shop for the evening meal at a local grocery store, Joe is kidnapped. Alex was puzzled because Joe did not put up a fight and seemed to mouth, “I’m sorry,” just before a black hood is placed over his head. A police officer arrives. He appears not to be in the pocket of the drug or gang lords. He tells Alex that it probably is a kidnapping for a quick few thousand dollars. A common occurrence in the area. The police officer calls Alex the next morning and asked that Alex met him at a location. When Alex arrived, the van used in the kidnapping had been blown up with a badly burn body inside. Only Joe’s recognizable belt buckle and his wedding ring were recovered. The novel proceeds from here as Alex, Joe’s executor, starts to tie up his estate to make sure his mother-in-law will have the money on which to live comfortably.

The main storyline is fast paced and all from the perspective of Alex. While it quickly seized my attention, the hook on my interest was set by the tension as Alex seemed to uncover Joe’s hidden life that definitely not very savory including from where the five million dollars that Joe gave Alex to start his company. This adds much tension as he tries to find out Joe’s finances, but red flags keep being discovered. He is torn not to tarnish his beloved Joe’s memory just before the funeral. A second avenue of tension appears as Alex has to lie to his wife about why he is pending so much time away from the family during this critical time. Carol, Alex’s wife, almost dumped him over a lie. While there is really a single thread, this thread is not straight that also helped to maintain my interest. Part of the thread, Alex believes that he and his family is a target of potential violence that heightened the tension even more. There are several what I call literary grenades that cemented my interest. These aspects are what I am looking for a high star review.

The B-storyline is focused primarily on Alex. The author achieves this in a way that I had not seen before. When Alex needs to remember something, he remembers it as part of a flashback where the answer is provided. These flashbacks provide much background on Alex and his dilemma in hiding what he suspects about Joe and in lying to his wife about his time out of the house.

For the aspects of a novel that can offend some readers. As for language, there is only the use of a few minor rude words. Lastly, there is violence that is portrayed and most edgy as it occurs. These aspects should not be a problem for the vast majority of readers.

Overall, this novel had all of the aspects that I require for a high star rating for the reasons I wrote above plus I could not stop reading it. Unfortunately, the over-the-top action ending put a dent into my reading enjoyment. I still kept this author in my “Must Read” category. I am still looking forward to reading further books from this author. I recommend it for reading. I rate this novel with four stars.