Torn Between Country And Family
The Killing Grounds by Jack Ford is a contemporary political thriller that I just could not put down. There are some books that when you’ve read them, all you can say is… Wow! The Killing Grounds is one such book. It just blew me away with it’s marvellous plot and it’s realistic characters.
The plot is full of twists and turns, truth and lies, politics and business. It was intricately constructed yet easy to follow as it alternated between America and the DRC (Congo). Politics and business deals collided, both seemingly intertwined. Decisions in one affected the other. Hands were tied, eyes were turned, would the truth ever immerge? Business ethics were considered. Business ethics were thrown out. With one eye on the world of politics and another on the plight of people… which way to jump?
The novel warns of the dangers of being motivated by money and power. A drive for more of either can produce corruption at both the highest and lowest levels of society.
There is the subject of PTSD. “You don’t have to be in a combat situation to be traumatised.” PTSD has far reaching effects. It will bounce back to haunt you when you least expect it.
Past events have the power to effect present living. Carrying the burdens of the past becomes heavier with time. You have to deal with it. You cannot run from it. “You’re running from yourself, but you can’t.” The past must be faced and our fears and guilt left behind, they are of no use to us.
There is the theme of fear throughout. People of little education are exploited and manipulated through fear.
The bond of brotherhood is shown in the book. There are a small group of people who know they can trust the others to have their back. The loyalty is beautiful to witness.
The reader becomes intimately acquainted with everyday life in both politics in Washington and the witchcraft and rituals of life in the DRC.
Truth and lies run throughout the novel. Sometimes truth is hidden in order to protect. At other times truth is suppressed for personal gain. The world of politics is seen to be a complicated affair. And not all wars are fought with guns.
The characters are all marvellously drawn. The sinister ones definitely have an air of menace about them, with a hint of pure evil at times. The upstanding characters had their own flaws and quirks but their hearts were in the right place. They endeared themselves to the reader.
The Killing Grounds was not my usual genre but what a fabulous read it was. I am hoping that there will be more books as I for one, certainly want to read more. I thought the frightening thing was, the action could really happen, as it is a strange world that we now live in. And this heightened my responses to the situations within the book. The action in the novel certainly had my pulse rising as I journeyed to the conclusion. As politics and businesses interact, I became totally consumed with the action.
A perfectly fabulous book and I cannot wait to read more by Jack Ford.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
JULIA WILSON