Arthur: Rick R. Reed
Plot: (Back of Book) Connor Ryman thought he had it all—a successful career as a mystery novelist, a condo with stunning views of Seattle's Lake Union, a supportive and long-term partner, Steve, and a loving daughter, Miranda, who was following in her father's creative footsteps. It all went bad when Steve left the family suddenly. Jilted and heartbroken, Connor begins to search for love online. So long off the market, he enlists his daughter's help in crafting a dating profile. His prayers are answered when Trey Goodall, smart and handsome, answers his ad. He's witty, urbane, a wealthy attorney, and his sex appeal is off the charts. But he's a liar, a monster under a pretty mask. Miranda sees through the red flags and senses something very wrong beneath the façade. Can she convince her father to save himself before it's too late? Or will Trey, a master manipulator with a very tainted history, play upon Connor's innocence to ensnare him in a web of deceit, intrigue, and, ultimately, murder?
My Review and Thoughts:
It's a book that has a spiraling plot. A plot thick with deep and disturbing realities. I felt this book was a solid read. It tickles under your skin and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up with the adrenaline, anticipation, and the realities taken place within the unfolding story.
What makes this story stand out and what makes this story so disturbing is its reality based. It's a possibility. The darkness of the plot, the plot is not easy it's deep and dark at times. The interesting moments of humanity in the plot, all come together to create a solid structured imaginative tale.
Reed is a gifted storyteller that truly knows how to bring on the tension and dynamic moments of a brilliant tale.
I have to say that this story, will bring out the emotional baggage that we all have in one way or another. This is by no means an easy read. It's a darkened reality that plays deeply with emotions. The story is tragic, truthful, and most of all in a sense something we all can relate to in one way or another by our personal realities or someone we know might have experienced something like this.
If you have never read Rick's writing then you have never experienced what life is on page. What life is through written word. Rick gives a beating heart to each page as you turn it and Toxic is all that and more. Toxic is a vibrant mind screw, an emotional monstrosity. A massively character driven plot with one spiraling twist after another.
I have to speak about the characters. I have to explain how well written these characters are. Rick takes you on a journey. Rick places you there in the story. Rick lets you the reader become the story. Rick writes in away that brings to life the nightmares from our inner conscience. What makes Rick an outstanding writer is I have read and been a fan of Rick's writing for many years. He is a versatile writer. He writes Horror, Mystery, Drama, Romance and each time his books leave you with spellbound realities. Toxic is another one of those books that will leave you breathless in all it's darkness and decay of life.
Conner, Miranda and Trey are characters that will stay long after the story is finished. Trey is brilliantly weaved through plot and actions. Each character's point of view crawls slowly into your thoughts and leaves you wanting to turn the page for the story to unfold, to conclude. As you can tale from my review I loved this book. Rick brought another vibrant, emotional darkness and reality based brilliance to life once again and in my viewpoint, Toxic is a must read, must experienced journey of storytelling perfection.
Would I Return to It Again: Oh by all means, YES. Rick has away with writing his characters and the dark recesses of those characters come to life in so many tragic ways on the pages you turn. And this booklover loves to be emotionally drained in a good story and that is what Toxic does.
Would I Recommend: To anyone who loves a thick story of intensity. To anyone who wants to push the bounds of emotions. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good written book of mystery, suspense and a deep dark rollercoaster of a thrill ride of life.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Final Words: Intense Brutality. Emotionally Draining.