Review of “The Stolen Hours” by Allen Eskens
By Lydia Nolan
© January 9, 2023
A great read, how do I know? When a book keeps your nose in it, the book is worth reading, because it achieves the first step of writing, which I did not claim, but to which I do subscribe:
“The first duty of the novelist is to entertain. It is a moral duty. People who read your books are sick, sad, traveling, in the hospital waiting room while someone is dying. Books are written by the alone for the alone” (Author Donna Tartt.)
So I read another one of Allen Eskens’ books, (maybe I’m addicted to the ease and comfort of his themes and characters), which is “The Stolen Hours.” This book has the same amenities as his other books in the way of construct and context, but not content of course.
Lila Nash is the protagonist of this story, and her boyfriend is the protagonist of the first of Eskens’ books, “The Life We Bury.” While her boyfriend, Joe Talbert, is in the realm of journalism, Lila Nash is an aspiring prosecutor and sees future success coming soon, but various obstacles create havoc for her as well as her becoming focused on a particular case that unearths a trauma in her past. There are a lot of subplots, with characters besides, and this is what makes it all effective, our having to keep a focus on the main plot and watching as well the smaller plots.
Another success story for the author and another good read for the readers–enjoy!
International Books Cafe (IBCafe.net) 