Title: Rules of Desperation
Author: Mark Love
Genre: Mystery
Book Blurb:
How far would you go to achieve the goal of your dreams?
All Nicholas Burr wants to do is traditionally publish a mystery novel. Sure, he’s had some success as a ghost writer for a young adult series, but that’s not the same. It’s not even close.
Camille, his long-suffering wife, has had enough. She’s tired of being the bread winner. Tired of listening to him prattle on about his next project. Tired of…him.
Nicholas Burr is desperate. Would he do something rash? Something unexpected?
Something so outrageous it would get everyone’s attention.
Yet if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that he must follow the rules.
My Review:
Desperate to get his mystery book published, Nicholas takes matters into his own hands with disastrous consequences. Rules of Desperation is a mystery that has elements of pulp fiction and hard-boiled mystery. The premise is well-conceived while the narration yanks the reader into the mystery. The characters are not likable but very realistic. Writers will relate to Nicholas and his yearning to get published. If you’re a fan of Mickey Spillane and pulp fiction with morally gray characters, you’ll love Rules of Desperation.
The narration is the cornerstone to this mystery, a vehicle to propel the story. Every scene is detailed as is the investigation. What really happened is unveiled slowly through the narration of the various characters. What really happened isn’t revealed until the very end.
The characters are another reason to love Rules of Desperation. Nicholas is a man desperate to get his mystery published. Is he the murderer or is it just a coincidence his wife is murdered? Is his mind warped or is it just his imagination? Mark Love creates an intriguing morally gray hero. Nicholas is not a strong main character but is your average guy with an annoying demoralizing wife. Did I connect with him? No, but I couldn’t look away. It was like watching a car wreck. I just had to see what happened next.
The rest of the characters are realistic and well-written. Each character is not easy to peg down but intriguing none the less. The detectives on the case are well-written and their detecting is classic Mark Love.
The plot unfolds at a good pace with false clues, dead ends, and many suspects to weed through. The writing is part pulp fiction, part homage to Stephen King. Rules of Desperation is an original little mystery, unlike anything I’ve read before.
My Rating: 5 stars
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Author Biography:
Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of the Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act, Fleeing Beauty, and his latest release, Chasing Favors, along with the novella Stealing Haven. His short story, Don’t Mess with the Gods, was written with Elle Nina Castle and included in the Magic & Mischief anthology. Love also writes the Jefferson Chene mystery series, WHY 319? Your Turn to Die and The Wayward Path.
His latest mystery, “Rules of Desperation” was released on May 20, 2024.
Love resides in west Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and exploring the great outdoors.
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Reviewed by: Nancy