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EVIL ANGEL
By R.D. Larson
BeWrite Books 1-904224-82-2Jack is a college professor who is trapped in a tense marriage. He finally makes the move to leave his wife, Terri, and his baby daughter behind, and escapes for a few days. But Terri is in deep, deep denial, and that is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems that infest her brain. She, like her mother, believes Jack is just going through a phase, after all, how could Jack leave his one true love and his daughter?
Jack seeks salvation at a ski lodge where he meets Hillary, a young woman seeking salvation from her own personal demons. They innocently strike up a friendship and eventually form a romance. They could possibly begin something special, but not with Terri still in the picture. In fact, Terri sees Hillary as an obstacle created by the Evil Angel, a figure in her life that has always tortured Terri, bringing her sadness and torment in the disguise of reality; an obstacle that Terri will conquer.
What struck me the most about this short novel were the characters, mostly Jack and Terri. Jack is portrayed as strong and centered when dealing with Terri, but when he is with Hillary, he is a sweet cornball who just wants a normal life and to be a part of his daughter''s life.
Now, Terri is a piece of work. This chic is truly frightening and you are so on Jack''s side when he tries to leave her. Although there is a doubt in my head of why Jack felt it was safe to leave his daughter alone with Terri, then again it was not clear that he was disclosed to Terri''s past; and had realized just how dangerous she is. He has known her to have violent tantrums, banging her head into walls and hitting herself. But maybe he didn''t know the FULL extent of Terri''s insanity. An example: As part of her plot to get rid of Hillary, Terri picks up a man in a bar and goes back to his room where she proceeds to fellates him and then gut him like a fish. It was quite a mess.
At times, the novel is a bit wishy washy, a little too focused on the romance and melodrama. I am under the assumption that this is a thriller of some sort, and a fine one it is, but there is a balancing act of tone and genre that Larson has not completely grasped for this story.
The only major beef I had with Evil Angel was the length. This would have made a great novella, adding a faster pace to the action. Most of the chapters felt over written, as if Larson fattened it up to fill a word requirement.
""Evil Angel"" is a wicked novel with engaging characters that will have you turning the pages to discover the height of insanity.
Review by Mike Purfield
Critical Raves for Mike Purfield's "Dirty Boots."
"If you're looking for a good read, something you've never experienced before, then this is the book for you." Paul Kane of Terror Tales.
Rated 3 out of 4 by Unhinged Magazine.
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