Amazing book, amazing author. ( )

I’ve read most of what Charles Martin has written, but not this one so I was happy to find it at my local Library. Then I started reading it and my happy turned to uh oh because this book took me back to a place in my twenties that I didn’t want to revisit. If you read my memoir about the drug world you’d know why. This story is so perfectly told that I wondered where he got his info from? The main character Charlie is smart, handsome, and perceptive about other people and their motives and faults and he uses that to get what he wants to survive. He’s aware enough to realize he’s not motivated by money. He’s liking the game, the adrenalin rush and this leads him eventually into illegal activities like drug running. He’s always one step ahead, not letting many people in, or really opening his heart to love. But when he stops long enough, there’s this part of him that breaks through and lets him know there are consequences to his actions and that other people are getting hurt. As that part of him gets louder he starts opening his heart to a few people in his life especially two children who love and look up to him. When they get hurt he ends up searching for one of them in Nicaragua and comes face to face with the damage he has caused. This book asks the question is there hope when you can’t undo the wrong you caused? ( )

Amazing to me is how many readers of this book finish with the need to reflect -- probably due to the powerful afterword by author Charles Martin, who describes the true story behind his novel. At the core is a deeply conflicted character, Charlie Finn, orphaned early in life, who grows up lacking a moral compass and doing whatever he wants without regard for others. Eventually, he lands in Bimini, befriends an island legend and becomes a wealthy drug runner for his best friend, Colin, and a de facto member of Colin's family. Then, of course, disaster strikes his adoptive niece (Maria), and Charlie heads to Nicaragua to find Colin's spoiled son, Zaul. Violently ill from food poisoning, Charlie is rescued and nursed back to health by Paulina. She makes him want to be a better man and deserving of her. A story, filled elements of love and joy, hardship and heartache, missteps in life, survival, and redemption. 4.5 stars, but not for sissies. ( )

4.5 ( )

Excellent! Martin is a superb story teller. One of the best books I’ve read. Couldn’t put it down. ( )