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Retribution
422 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2024
2 people want to read
About the author
Ian Conner
15 books63 followersIan Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days , gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass, creating worlds on the page, writing, reading and reviewing books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 2, 2024
Spoilers: Ian Conner is an author of great versatility. He samples from several genres and writes brilliant books within them. With his latest book, Retribution, Conner returns to form or whatever passes for form in Conner-verse. It is a Political Thriller that involves a wide ranging conspiracy with several key American politicians including the President. It is also a Psychological Crime Thriller about hatred, revenge, and the lengths people will go to satisfy their desire for vengeance.
Alex Conway’s s daughter recently died of influenza during another shutdown and his CHIP insurance has been denied. A lottery win does little to raise his spirits but gives him the resources that he needs for a long term plan of vengeance. He provides information to expose corrupt politicians. He isn't just satisfied with killing their political careers but he wants to end their lives as well putting himself them at odds with powerful people, particularly the obnoxious President Glass.
Conner bases his novel on real world events and people to present an even worse case scenario than what we are faced with, as if it could get any worse. Conner's writing suggests that maybe it can.
The most obvious comparison is the fictional President Frederick Glass whose abrasive unlikable nature and felonious past are certainly based on a former President and current presidential nominee. The book even uses some of the real-life model’s familiar soundbites.
The plot of Retribution is particularly intricate with Conway’s revenge against the politicians that he blames for his daughter’s death. He doesn't just settle on one means for murder. That's for amateurs. He decides on several: a fatal auto collision here, poison meant to induce heart attacks there, maybe an anthrax laced envelope or two. Those that don't end up dead suffer massive career hits. Conway goes through various channels to find and expose his enemies.
Conway is an interesting character who gets the Reader's understanding and empathy up to a point. Who wouldn't become angry at the system after their spouse and child die? It is completely believable when one has nothing to strike back at those who have everything. His means while questionable are fascinating from a storytelling standpoint.
While Glass and his cronies are horrible, Conway also is accountable for his own actions. The more enemies that fall prey to his machinations, the less relatable Conway becomes. He is isolated from those around him and ultimately to the Reader.
Conway's vengeance becomes an addiction as he puts many in his path without realizing the long term consequences that could result.
By killing the politicians, Conway is only creating martyrs for their supporters and killing the bodies. He is not destroying the regulations, bills, corruption, or the hypocrisy that caused such issues. In fact if anything, it's continuing even worse despite or because of the deaths.
Retribution is another of Conner's brilliant works. It is a superb look at corruption, politics, money, hatred, revenge, and murder.
Alex Conway’s s daughter recently died of influenza during another shutdown and his CHIP insurance has been denied. A lottery win does little to raise his spirits but gives him the resources that he needs for a long term plan of vengeance. He provides information to expose corrupt politicians. He isn't just satisfied with killing their political careers but he wants to end their lives as well putting himself them at odds with powerful people, particularly the obnoxious President Glass.
Conner bases his novel on real world events and people to present an even worse case scenario than what we are faced with, as if it could get any worse. Conner's writing suggests that maybe it can.
The most obvious comparison is the fictional President Frederick Glass whose abrasive unlikable nature and felonious past are certainly based on a former President and current presidential nominee. The book even uses some of the real-life model’s familiar soundbites.
The plot of Retribution is particularly intricate with Conway’s revenge against the politicians that he blames for his daughter’s death. He doesn't just settle on one means for murder. That's for amateurs. He decides on several: a fatal auto collision here, poison meant to induce heart attacks there, maybe an anthrax laced envelope or two. Those that don't end up dead suffer massive career hits. Conway goes through various channels to find and expose his enemies.
Conway is an interesting character who gets the Reader's understanding and empathy up to a point. Who wouldn't become angry at the system after their spouse and child die? It is completely believable when one has nothing to strike back at those who have everything. His means while questionable are fascinating from a storytelling standpoint.
While Glass and his cronies are horrible, Conway also is accountable for his own actions. The more enemies that fall prey to his machinations, the less relatable Conway becomes. He is isolated from those around him and ultimately to the Reader.
Conway's vengeance becomes an addiction as he puts many in his path without realizing the long term consequences that could result.
By killing the politicians, Conway is only creating martyrs for their supporters and killing the bodies. He is not destroying the regulations, bills, corruption, or the hypocrisy that caused such issues. In fact if anything, it's continuing even worse despite or because of the deaths.
Retribution is another of Conner's brilliant works. It is a superb look at corruption, politics, money, hatred, revenge, and murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2024
Summary
Retribution is a political thriller by Ian Conner. The story revolves around Alex Conway who lost his wife and daughter due to the government's negligence and corruption. Crestfallen at the loss of his family who means everything to him, he seeks vengeance. So, when a twist of fate gave him unlimited access to resources, he gets more determined to take the lives of legislators who took his family from him. With Tara Snow, a mother who lost her daughter the same way Alex did, the two become a team that will carry out a dangerous mission to uncover political workings and cover-ups.
Review
Glad I was able to hold my tear though it was hard to do that ‘til the end. This story gave me goosebumps because though it’s fiction, it pretty much tells a lot about the dark side of politics. It pains me to say that this can actually be true. In fact, I’m sure there’s always dirt to find in politics. What’s more heartbreaking is that the one who’s supposed to serve and protect the citizens of our country, in few or even more cases than I know, is the one that’s causing people’s demise. Greed, hatred, and corruption – these are the real pandemic in this world. Overall, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and two thumbs up! It has a great flow of narrative that provides us with a deep dive into politics and characters that might’ve been based on real life victims and corrupt politicians.
Retribution is a political thriller by Ian Conner. The story revolves around Alex Conway who lost his wife and daughter due to the government's negligence and corruption. Crestfallen at the loss of his family who means everything to him, he seeks vengeance. So, when a twist of fate gave him unlimited access to resources, he gets more determined to take the lives of legislators who took his family from him. With Tara Snow, a mother who lost her daughter the same way Alex did, the two become a team that will carry out a dangerous mission to uncover political workings and cover-ups.
Review
Glad I was able to hold my tear though it was hard to do that ‘til the end. This story gave me goosebumps because though it’s fiction, it pretty much tells a lot about the dark side of politics. It pains me to say that this can actually be true. In fact, I’m sure there’s always dirt to find in politics. What’s more heartbreaking is that the one who’s supposed to serve and protect the citizens of our country, in few or even more cases than I know, is the one that’s causing people’s demise. Greed, hatred, and corruption – these are the real pandemic in this world. Overall, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and two thumbs up! It has a great flow of narrative that provides us with a deep dive into politics and characters that might’ve been based on real life victims and corrupt politicians.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews