Series: Misc
Volume: 1
Genre: Other
ISBN: 9781445702728
Pages: 400 pages
Publisher: lulu.com
Price: 22.5
Reader Rating: Not rated
Volume: 1
Genre: Other
ISBN: 9781445702728
Pages: 400 pages
Publisher: lulu.com
Price: 22.5
Reader Rating: Not rated
Description: If you are one of these people who think that the world is a pretty bleak place, be warned before reading Itzhak Begerano’s novel, World of Absolute Evil – not only will your worst fears be confirmed but this story will push terror further than in any of your nightmares. Set in New York State this menacing story revolves around a cast of characters who exude depravity, sadism, perversion and hatred. And, to make matters worse, the unwitting victims of this adult egotism are innocent children whose only wrongdoing is that they are there.
Lieutenant Michael Holmes, a detective specialising in sex crimes, is investigating the serial abduction of children who are held captive before being set free. The latest child to go missing is seven year-old Isaac Menis but, unlike the other children, Isaac remains missing. The investigation is complex and increasing pressure is put on the detectives to identify a suspect – but to no avail. One candidate is identified - Joshua Solomon, the mysterious leader of a religious cult whose relationship with children raises cause for concern. However, Lt. Holmes’ deputy, Wally, is not convinced that Solomon is guilty, at least not of the Isaac case.
As the investigation unravels we learn of the utter disfunctionality of Isaac’s family – his divorced mother and father and their respective new partners. But of all these rather unpleasant figures, it is his father Abraham who surpasses them all in the bitter and twisted stakes. It would be hard to imagine a character so full of resentment, anger and misogyny as this bit-part actor and model. This manifests itself mainly in his relationships with his current and ex-wives, both of whom he believes have only used him in order to make babies and with Isaac, who he resents as an intrusion into his life.
Another character in this hate-fuelled bunch who could have reason to want Isaac’s disappearance to remain permanent is the partner of Isaac’s mother, Gideon, a gynaecologist, who sees the child as an interfering obstacle to his lust for passion?
Although we are told that this is a ‘World of Absolute Evil’, paradoxically there are some clues that allow us to understand (but not necessarily like) even the most distasteful characters in the book: Abraham was severely abused by his mother as a child, and Joshua, despite his abnormal behaviour, seems to be a genuinely caring although person. Nevertheless, an ominous air pervades this book, re-enforced by sinister misinterpretations of the Old Testament and Nietzsche. No one is beyond suspicion.
Eventually a trial is held and Solomon finds himself in the dock. The trial is packed with conundrums and twists and, to add to the cliff-hanging theatricality of it all, is presided over by an eccentric, no-nonsense judge. But despite his best efforts, Solomon’s attorney’s defence is demolished at each turning by a prosecution so set upon victory that even Perry Mason would have been given a run for his money. The case seems to be open and shut. It is only at the end of the trial that the full terrifying extent of the truth is exposed.
The story is told in a series of fast moving scenes that heighten the tension and carry the reader along to reach a cliff-hanging conclusion. World of Absolute Evil is a novel that is gripping in its vivid portrayal of a society peopled by repulsive, self-seeking and, ultimately, psychotic characters. It is a book to be recommended to all fans of suspense thrillers
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