Title: Decay of Sorrow
Author: Jacqueline Garcia
Publisher: AuthorsPress
ISBN: 978-1664166196
Pages: 158
Genre: Mystery & Suspense / Paranormal
Reviewed by: Gabriella Harrison
Hollywood Book Reviews
Decay of Sorrow by author Jacqueline Garcia narrates the trauma which comes with marrying the wrong person. Esme believes she has found the one for her and is blindly in love with him, so she rushes into marriage, even though he is the ex-husband of her late twin, and it has only been around three months since her untimely demise. She is exhilarated and moves in with her new husband, Bill, but is immediately met with a rude welcome when a woman shows up, claiming that he promised to marry her. Esme is naturally distraught, and Bill does little to remedy the situation. More unsettling circumstances occur, and Esme wonders if she knows who she married. Worsening this situation is the appearance of her sister’s ghost, Joanna, who informs her that her sudden death wasn’t due to natural causes and that she might also be in danger if she remains with Bill.
The book begins in Esme’s therapist’s office and employs flashbacks to narrate all she endured while with Bill and how Joanna helped her. The story is dramatic, and there are tense scenes of confrontation as Amanda, the woman Bill promised to marry, does her best to make Esme uncomfortable and get rid of her. Bill also adds to the tension by playing mind games with Esme and Amanda. He is a dodgy character who only cares about his interests and making money in whatever way possible, no matter the consequences. Esme, on the other hand, is naïve and a hopeless romantic who insists on turning a blind eye to Bill’s faults until her sister starts communicating with her, which upsets Bill, who prefers she remains oblivious and tied to him.
The story is narrated through an omniscient narrator. Therefore, Bill’s evil and conniving thoughts are exposed to readers and the plans Esme makes with her sister behind his back while pretending to still be under his influence are also known. There is also some action, as Esme eventually must struggle for her life. The characters remain consistent throughout the story.
Decay of Sorrow is a novel which blends mystery and paranormal elements to tell the story of a woman’s struggle for her peace and sanity when she discovers her husband isn’t who he claims to be.