STORY-LINE THE 45TH NAIL BY MICHAEL AND IAN LAHEY:
Authors Michael and Ian Lahey‘s contemporary fiction novel, The 45th Nail, an intensively thought-provoking and emotion filled novel, takes the reader through the emotions and devastation of war. The authors explore the intimacy of war, as well as, the after-effects.
Sgt. James Savorski never returned home from WW11. Listed as missing in action on May 25, 1944 at Anzio, his nephew Bob receives a Christmas card post marked Anzio from James in 1987. Later he receives a beautiful old medallion along with a mysterious message post marked Salerno.
Bob’s determined to find his Uncle; under the pretext of learning more of France, Bob heads off for Italy. What he will find changes his life and his perceptions forever. Come along with Bob in an adventure and revelations of a lifetime. My contemporary fiction book reviews of The 45th Nail follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:
First, let me say, this novel will open the reader’s eyes to war and the continuing consequences which haunt the survivors and victims. The Lahey‘s wove mystery into the story-line as they lead the readers through Italy and a journey of revelations, both good and bad. The reader does not discover the significance of the 45th nail until the last part of the story which left me surprised and amazed. Weaving many plot lines together, the authors wove a clear and complete picture of Sgt Savorski, guilt, war, and its aftermath; as well as, the redemption Savorski seeks.
Furthermore, the Lahey‘s developed their characters with skill and competence. The reader becomes enmeshed into the story-line as they follow James and Bob through a journey of discovery. By the end of the story I had tears in my eyes and a sadness in my heart for all the men who did and did not come home from this atrocious war.
The pacing of the story was in line with the length of the book. However I did find that near the end of the story, the pace seemed to slow considerably, picking up again in the last chapters. Finally, in concluding my contemporary fiction book reviews of The 45th Nail, I found a solid story-line filled with mystery and emotion seen from the prospective of the participates.
THE 45TH NAIL RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
In addition, I would recommend this book for young adults and adults due to subject matter. I would not hesitate to buy this book for anyone who enjoys an intense story of war and its consequences.
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest contemporary fiction novel review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, the ARC did not affect my voluntary contemporary fiction novel review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/LINKS:
PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
Ian Lahey teaches English Language and Literature in Italy. Aincessant traveler, he has visited the country from coast to coast (which doesn’t take much), and from head to toe (which is somewhat longer).
Florence, Naples, Rome, and then Venice, Verona and Genoa are his second homes but he will never admit this in the presence of a tax agent. Although he’s visited many times he never tires of them and of the stories, both ancient and modern, which these places tell.
These stories he re-tells, sometimes as they were, other times hidden beneath the veil of imagination and scientific speculation, but always with a good sprinkle of humor.
He can often be spotted taking long walks with his wife around his hometown near Udine, and can be easily wiled with offerings of fresh beer or Dr. Who marathons.