Title: Stranger on the Shore
Author: William J. Borak
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
ISBN: 978-1639888177
Pages: 178
Genre: Mystery
Reviewed by: Rahul Sabbas
Hollywood Book Reviews
‘She woke to the smell of salt water, the gritty sand cold against her skin, but it was the emptiness inside her – an absolute void of memory.’ This line brings us to Marisa, a woman found unconscious on the shore with no memory of her past who struggles to piece together who she is and what happened to her. It was enough to pull me into Marisa’s world of mystery and vulnerability.
Stranger on the Shore follows the journey of Chris, a former Wall Street analyst, who is deeply affected by the tragic death of his fiancée, Theresa. On the anniversary of her death, Chris meets Arielle, a mysterious woman who brings a sense of peace and intrigue into his life. As the story progresses, he encounters Marisa, a waitress who resembles Theresa and has a complex past. The themes of love, loss, and the challenge of moving forward after a significant loss feel so real as they resemble my journey.
The central theme in this novel is identity – specifically, how we search for it, build it, and sometimes even fight to keep it. The author tackles the themes of trauma, resilience, and identity recovery with a sensitive and suspenseful approach. This makes it clear that discovering one’s identity can be as thrilling and dangerous as any mystery. The story’s thesis is that people are shaped by their memories and also by what they overcome. For Marisa, her journey is a blend of rediscovery and survival, as she’s haunted by the shadows of a dangerous past. This exploration of identity amidst danger gives the story an urgency beyond personal growth.
Stranger on the Shore by author William J. Borak is simple to follow despite its complicated ideas like memory loss and trauma. This makes the book good for most people, not just experts. It blends romance, action, and spiritual exploration, highlighting the transformative power of love and faith. This could lead to talks about healing from trauma and crime and how people can be strong. But the book doesn’t get too deep into these topics. It’s more about the characters and their feelings. By the end of the book, readers will start thinking about their own experiences and the power of overcoming the past.
Borak’s pacing is skillful, gradually unveiling secrets and building suspense, making this book difficult to put down. Stranger on the Shore is more than a mystery; it’s an exploration of community dynamics, the need for connection, and the layers beneath every first impression. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy stories with a hint of mystery and a setting that feels like a character in its own right.