Dear Author Nancy West,
I recently had the pleasure of reading your novel Risky Pursuit, and want to thank you for delivering such a gripping and emotionally resonant story. From the first chapter, I was drawn into Decker Savage’s world—a place filled with uncertainty and a search for truth amidst the wreckage of personal loss.
What immediately stood out to me was your ability to portray the emotional weight that Decker carries. His grief over losing his younger brother is so palpable, and the way that trauma ripples through his family and his own inner world is skillfully and sensitively depicted. As a reader, I couldn’t help but root for Decker as he tried to make sense of the unraveling of his family and his place in it.
The narrative’s pace is spot-on. You balance suspense and character development with great finesse. Each chapter builds momentum while peeling back layers of who Decker is and what he’s grappling with.
The supporting characters enhance the story’s complexity. The dynamics between Decker and his parents feel nuanced and realistic, with strained yet hopeful relationships. I would love to see even more depth and dimension given to Decker’s parents.
Your impressive prose is a key strength. The dialogue reflects the uncertainty of adolescence and the harshness of adulthood, feeling authentic and natural. You tackle complex issues—grief, resilience, and personal responsibility—with grace and power.
The plot’s complexity and the numerous characters occasionally felt dense, requiring me to pause and connect the dots. While the fast pacing added excitement, some plot developments felt overly convenient. A bit more subtlety in these moments would enhance believability while maintaining your well-crafted tension.
You’ve written a coming-of-age story that doesn’t flinch from the emotional messiness of adolescence and trauma. It’s a novel that lingers in the mind and heart long after the last page.
I look forward to reading what you write next.
Warm regards,
Penelope Samson-Dillard for Dear Author Book Reviews/Speak Up Talk Radio
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