Dark and addictive…
Berney delivers a fine blend of thriller, beguiling romance, mayhem, and human drama in his latest novel. Divorced and lonely trucker Jimmy usually never stops anywhere other than his destination. But a small stop in the forgotten town of Eden, Missouri, just east of Kansas City, brings Jimmy face to face with an enigmatic stripper. The life-altering encounter upturns Jimmy’s life, forcing him to seek redemption. But that’s just the beginning of Jimmy’s problems in a town where nothing is as it seems, and it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s imagined. Berney grafts a twisty mystery onto a plot of faith, sinister secrets, and individual intrigue. The exploration of the town’s sinister history, Jimmy and KC’s shifting bond, the characters’ struggle with questions of morality and faith, all of it fit seamlessly into the absorbing thriller arc. As Jimmy tries to come to terms with his troubled past, the narrative changes swiftly from scene to scene around the quaint alleys and sinful haunts of the town of Eden. Berney’s effective use of foreshadowing enhances the sinfully somber mood. The endearing relationship between Jimmy and Lenore (even if it’s a thing of the past) is well drawn and relatable, and the passages of introspection add to the spiritual intrigue. The novel also amplifies themes of love, faith, integrity, friendship, determination, courage, resilience, and action versus consequences. Though Jimmy’s memories of his ex-wife sometimes get repetitive and take up too much space, the overarching plot and absorbing narrative voice make this an intriguingly immersive read. Heartbreaking and satisfying at once.
The Fall of Faith
Jeff Berney
BAQJAC Entertainment
Pub date October 26, 2022
ISBN 978-1734392166
Price $21.99 (USD) Hardcover, $12.99 Paperback, $7.99 Kindle edition
