Title: Instrument of Justice
Author: C.B. Anslie
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing LLC
Pages: 116
ISBN: 978-1643613314
Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Fantasy
Reviewed by: Jake Bishop
Hollywood Book Review
The classic 1967 rock song from Buffalo Springfield begins, “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.” That’s a bit of the feeling one has when delving into C.B. Anslie’s novel, Instrument of Justice. One story plays out and seems to end. A dream injects itself. Then another narrative begins, unfurls, and ends with a reprise of the earlier dream—only to be post scripted with a summation from the initial story. If the structure sounds somewhat vague, that’s because it is. Fortunately however, the literary configuration doesn’t keep the individual stories from being engaging.
In story one, Sevan and his wife, Mayson, are massage therapists who are about to have their first baby. Mayson is an empath (one who can apprehend the feelings and emotional states of other individuals) and Sevan is a telepath (one who can actually communicate with another individual’s mind via telepathy). Seven has concerns about the impending birth because he is also capable of paranormal violent behavior, and he worries that the child may inherit this darker tendency. As they await the birth, they become embroiled with one, and then another of their clients, who is being mentally and physically abused. Soon, Sevan ascertains that one murder has been committed and another may soon be on the way. He then has to make a decision whether to let events simply play out or intervene with extreme prejudice.
Story two recounts the relationship of Sig, a pilot, and Sky, a nurse midwife. Sky is descended from a long line of healers and also happens to be clairvoyant. As their yarn spins, readers are privy to their burgeoning romance and the intimacies they share with one another. When Sig learns of Sky’s ability to foresee the future, he accepts it, but only up to a point—realizing that one of her recent predictions missed the mark. When Sky sees impending danger ahead for Sig, will he listen to her entreaties or fail to take them seriously?
Author C.B. Anslie moves both tales along with fast-paced prose focused more on content than style. Descriptive phrasing definitely arises but never markedly impedes plot development. Use of the present tense virtually throughout both chronicles gives each a feeling of urgency. Main characters are well developed and supporting players are interestingly sketched. Of particular note is a crafty old gentleman referred to as The Confessor. His role is small in the amount of space it takes up but large in importance. He helps characters and readers alike understand the continuing need for the actual embodiment of the title—a true Instrument of Justice.