Book Review | Second Cousins Once Removed | By Kenneth L Toppell

by · October 28, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheWriteReads Blog Tour | Crime Thriller
Second Cousins Once Removed
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Published: 8th September , 2020
Henry Attkinson's life as an attorney is slow, predictable, and lonely, given his divorce and his ex-wife's custody of the kids. He recently took up geneology as a hobby to fill the time, but it doesn't do much to spice up his mundane routine. Until the day he prods at a dead end of one of the branches of his family tree. Who is this cousin Shelley, whom he's never met or even heard of in years? Ignoring a warning to leave well enough alone, Henry still doesn't find much in his deeper delve into the mystery--just a concerning criminal record for the man that finally convinces him to drop the matter. But Shelley is a man who doesn't want to be found or even looked for. And now he knows someone has been looking. Faster than he knows what's hit him, Henry is propelled into sudden mayhem, receiving ominous threats, meeting mysterious strangers, and running for his life. Second Cousin Once Removed is a fast-paced, sweaty-palm thriller that will keep you hooked until the last page. ( Goodreads)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative and Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Cousins Once Removed is, as the title suggests, all about the cousins Henry and Shelley. Things take a twisted turn when Henry seeks out his cousin for a family tree. The narrative alters between Henry, Shelley and Carolyn – the three main characters.

The plot starts out great and maintains a balance of mystery and a cat-and-mouse chase upto a certain point. The ending feels a bit stretched and does not exactly induce the wow factor. It becomes a bit too straightforward towards the final act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters and Conflicts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry and Carolyn are on the run. The whole idea and the bizarre situation that suddenly dawns upon their lives keeps you hooked for the most part. Henry blooms as the story progresses, from a lonely and nervous attorney to a confident middle aged man. Carolyn however felt one dimensional for the most part. Not that she is not interesting. Obviously, her presence brightens up the story and that’s just about it. She is just too flawless.

The romance and the chemistry between the main characters does not exactly warm your heart. It is there and it doesn’t interfere with the main plotline. Shelley however is an intriguing personality. His odd sense of honor and code keeps you on your edge. He is unpredictable and that adds the thrilling aspect of the story. However, after a certain showdown, the story goes on and as a reader you expect something big to happen. Unfortunately it takes the predictable and safe route.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, Second Cousins Once Removed is a cozy crime thriller for a one time read. It has a compelling voice and a combination of odd characters which will entertain you throughout.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure :  1) I received an e-copy of the book from @TheWriteReads in exchange for an honest review for #thewritereads #blogtour.  

              2)This website uses affiliate links. This is not a paid promotion but Bookbugworld will earn a small commission if you click on the link for purchase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get your book here : Amazon_US Amazon_IN Book Depository

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1 Response

  1. Bookbugworld's October Wrap Up | 2020 | Bookbugworld
    November 8, 2020

    […] This book was a surprise addition to my TBR for the TheWriteReads blog tour. Once again, this is another book that had intriguing settings and premise. The whole set up and characters made me expect a lot. Then again, it turned out to be a pretty cliched and unflattering thriller. I rated the book a 3/5. You can read my detailed non-spoiler review here. […]