You may be thinking, why is she writing a book review on a memoir blog? She has two other blogs which seem to be more appropriate for book matters. That is all true but if you read "The Toppled Pawn," you will have a memoir. A memoir that will bring back pleasant memories of an intriguing story so well written you soon feel apart of it as well as a resident of South Station. The other reason I'm posting in this blog is simple...it gets more "hits."
The reader is drawn immediately into the story with the first sentence, "The man was a peculiar sort." Couple that with the name of the chapter, "The Stranger, " and your intrigue antenna goes up. The peculiar stranger seems to be watching Joseph Westerfield, one of the players in the finals of the Royal Midwest Chess Club. Or is he watching the chess competition?
This is a fast moving story of mystery, romance, intrigue, sabotage, history and, yes, even humor. The author has given the chapters names that pique your interest and each transitions into the other to keep the pages tuning ahead, not backward to pickup a character or detail forgotten.
History buffs are in for a treat. Bibliographies are rare in novels. Those readers interested in the history woven into the story will appreciate Mr. O'Brien's research.
The author is a great story teller, as well as a writer. He understands human nature and every character is well developed.
Most of the story takes place in Michigan but he does add some southern flavor with Charleston, South Carolina. But why did you have to put the "bad guy" in the "Most Polite City IN the Country?" Oh, I get it! Who would look for a "Hit Man" there?
Buy and read Robert O'Brien's book. You will be in for a treat.
Amazon.com, Litchfield Books, Litchfield Beach, SC, River Walk Books, Georgetown, SC
WOULD MAKE A GREAT FATHER'S DAY GIFT.
