| Category: | Crime Thriller |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Jongstra |
| Publisher: | JanJongstraBooks |
| Publication Date: | March 7, 2023 |
| Number of Pages: | 266 |
| ISBN-10: | 1738670600 |
| ISBN-13: | 9781738670604 |
Frank is a seemingly unassuming data entry clerk in a
Toronto import/export company. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is
promoted and relocated to Amsterdam, where he becomes the company's agent
responsible for clearing containers. He is committed to his job and loves it.
But as days go by, Frank becomes suspicious about the company's activities. He
is torn between the allure of his dream job in Amsterdam, complete with a
generous salary, a free apartment, and the chance to explore Europe, and his
growing awareness that he has unwittingly become entangled in illegal trade.
The stakes are raised when Frank realizes that the
merchandise in the containers poses a serious threat to people's lives. It's at
this point that Frank's moral code clashes with his loyalty to the company. He
becomes the “reluctant criminal” of the title. He finds himself in a bind, torn
between doing what is right and the fear of getting into the crosshairs of the
ruthless company enforcers. Enlisting the help of friends, Frank sets out to
expose the company. What follows is a twisty ride that moves the story to a
surprising denouement.
The Reluctant Criminal is a unique crime novel,
beautifully written and featuring a protagonist who instantly grabs the
attention of readers. The prose has the fluidity I enjoy in good writing, that
music that sounds well to the ears. The author’s economy of words had me
thrilled as I went through the focused scenes, savoring the engaging dialogues,
and getting immersed in Frank’s occasional internal dialogues. The plot moves
forward, propelled by the author’s deft balancing of Frank’s core values with external
pressures. The characters are relatable and the conflict feels real. The
conflict is well-imagined and brilliantly executed. Overall, this book has
everything readers look for in a good novel — a genuinely flawed protagonist, a
broken system exploited by criminals, and a finely drawn setting.
Hand-picked reviews our authors and readers are loving right now
Essays, author interviews and publishing advice for curious readers and writers.
Discover how to get your book reviewed with our ultimate guide. Learn how to secure editorial book reviews, navigate paid book reviews, and leverage book reviews for authors to boost sales!
Read the article →
The book market is more competitive now than ever. Here are the major changes to know if you want your book to stand out.
Read the article →
What Decades of Book Reviews and Editorial Book Reviews Reveal about Children's Books
Read the article →
A practical guide to building flawed, complex characters readers can still love.
Read the article →
Why Most Self-Help Books Don't Work (And the "Cheat Code" We’re Missing)We are addicted to advice. The self-help industry is worth billions of dollars. Every year, millions of people buy books promising to help them lose weight, start businesses, or find inner...
Read the article →
There is a particular kind of silence that falls in the early hours — not the absence of sound, but the quiet rearrangement of the world before it begins again. A kettle sighs. The light finds its way through the window in thin, precise strokes. In that stilln...
Read the article →
 Mommys_Boy_6x9.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
 JPEG.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
