Title: A Hard Decision
Author: Westley Thomas
Publisher: Author’s Tranquility Press
ISBN: 978-1964037882
Pages: 138
Genre: Suspense Thrillers / Mystery
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Hollywood Book Reviews
It is said that war never changes. Sure, the tactics and technology used in war can change, but the concept of war and the reasoning behind it never does. War is brutal, and can destroy even the best of humanity in the process. So many give their lives and their own personal safety up to serve in the military, hoping to preserve the ideals which their own nations are meant to uphold. Yet war can be senseless as well, and sometimes war can drive families apart, changing them forever.
In author Westley Thomas’ A Hard Decision, the author explores the impact war has on families and loved ones. Childhood sweethearts William and Zera are put to the test when William is deployed to Vietnam, and soon news of his tragic passing reaches Zera’s ears, leaving her devastated. After time passes, she meets a new man named Steve, and their love blossoms. Yet things become complicated when William returns to her, alive and well. Not only will she have to contend with how the war has impacted William, but how she will choose between him and Steve when the time comes.
The author does such an incredible job of conveying such strong emotions and building up the suspense of the narrative through this play. The dialogue between the characters and the changing landscape of the setting as the war goes on as well as time made the story feel alive on the pages. The delivery of this narrative through a play setting not only let the reader absorb the play but allowed the imagery of the author’s writing to come alive in a very cinematic way.
This is the perfect book for those who enjoy thrillers, especially those that incorporate mystery, suspense, and romance into a play-setting. The emotional depth of the characters and their plight, from the horrors of war to the trauma endured and trying to come home after those experiences, make the story flow perfectly. The memorable and heartfelt character development allowed the reader to see the complexities and thoughtful approach to the themes of war, love, romance, and how we define family as a whole, while also showcasing the senselessness of violence in war and in our everyday lives.