A Philosophy Of Ruin, by Nicholas Mancusi
HarperCollins - 2019
Thriller/ Action
E-book
Thriller/ Action
E-book
256 Pages
* I received this digital review copy courtesy of *HarperCollins, via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.
My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
A solid debut novel about a life derailed by depression and grief.
Oscar Boatwright was not expecting a visit from his parents. He found out of his parent's plans to visit when an airline official called to tell him his mother died on a plane heading from Hawaii to his home in California - he thought them to be at home in Indiana. He picks up his father from the airport, and in trying to deal with his own grief and console his father Lee, Lee tells him that his mother's battle with depression led her to seek out self-improvement guru Paul St. Germaine and spend their life savings on attending his retreats and seminars, and that was why they were in Hawaii. Furthermore, Lee informs Oscar that there is still a large sum of money owing to St. Germaine.
As an assistant professor of philosophy, Oscar barely earns enough to scrape by. Now, concerned for his father's well being, he finds out his sister is also going through economic difficulties as her marriage is being dissolved, and she is not in a position to help either. Overwhelmed with worry, he becomes an easy mark to be coerced and blackmailed into doing a drug run. But things go sideways quickly, and Oscar soon finds he is fighting for more than mere money, Oscar is fighting for his life.
With plenty of action, the reader is kept engaged and on the edge of their seat. The second half of the book really took off! The character of Oscar is relatable and likeable. For me there was something missing from the St. Germaine thread though, it just seemed a little "lean" for my tastes, and could of used a little extra something to round out that part of the story a little better.
All in all, an engaging and action filled story that puts Mancusi on the map as an author to watch for.
A solid debut novel about a life derailed by depression and grief.
Oscar Boatwright was not expecting a visit from his parents. He found out of his parent's plans to visit when an airline official called to tell him his mother died on a plane heading from Hawaii to his home in California - he thought them to be at home in Indiana. He picks up his father from the airport, and in trying to deal with his own grief and console his father Lee, Lee tells him that his mother's battle with depression led her to seek out self-improvement guru Paul St. Germaine and spend their life savings on attending his retreats and seminars, and that was why they were in Hawaii. Furthermore, Lee informs Oscar that there is still a large sum of money owing to St. Germaine.
As an assistant professor of philosophy, Oscar barely earns enough to scrape by. Now, concerned for his father's well being, he finds out his sister is also going through economic difficulties as her marriage is being dissolved, and she is not in a position to help either. Overwhelmed with worry, he becomes an easy mark to be coerced and blackmailed into doing a drug run. But things go sideways quickly, and Oscar soon finds he is fighting for more than mere money, Oscar is fighting for his life.
With plenty of action, the reader is kept engaged and on the edge of their seat. The second half of the book really took off! The character of Oscar is relatable and likeable. For me there was something missing from the St. Germaine thread though, it just seemed a little "lean" for my tastes, and could of used a little extra something to round out that part of the story a little better.
All in all, an engaging and action filled story that puts Mancusi on the map as an author to watch for.
Happy Reading,
Christine
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