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Against the Current
What begins as a story of constant abuse and the struggle to break free, turns into a psychological suspense thriller, as not all is what it seems. The victim is in some ways as calculating as the bully, and willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. The power hungry manipulator will stop at nothing to keep his power, and to keep his golden ticket from rising up against him.
One moment of bravery becomes the catalyst that ignites the war of attrition. With the help of a kindred spirit, the victim realizes that to break free from the tyranny of oppression, the bully has to be thoroughly stopped. A chess match of deathly proportions ensues within a thirty-six hour period that leaves several people dead and the two men facing each other in a classic battle of, "to the death."
Against the Current answers the question of what happens if the bully is still in your life after twenty-five years and you've been pushed hard enough to fight back. The characters are rich and believable, true to themselves. The setting is a mid-sized Iowa town. Evil comes in many forms and wears many faces. Against the Current explores the evil behind the need to manipulate others, and the inner strength of goodness that compels some of us to stand up to that evil.
One moment of bravery becomes the catalyst that ignites the war of attrition. With the help of a kindred spirit, the victim realizes that to break free from the tyranny of oppression, the bully has to be thoroughly stopped. A chess match of deathly proportions ensues within a thirty-six hour period that leaves several people dead and the two men facing each other in a classic battle of, "to the death."
Against the Current answers the question of what happens if the bully is still in your life after twenty-five years and you've been pushed hard enough to fight back. The characters are rich and believable, true to themselves. The setting is a mid-sized Iowa town. Evil comes in many forms and wears many faces. Against the Current explores the evil behind the need to manipulate others, and the inner strength of goodness that compels some of us to stand up to that evil.
Unknown Binding
First published April 14, 2014
About the author
Brian MacLearn
5 books31 followersBrian L. MacLearn is lifelong resident of Iowa, currently living in Waverly. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Business. During his life, he has had poetry published and written song lyrics that have been recorded in Nashville. His first novel Our Heart was a 2011 Readers Favorite finalist. His second novel Remember Me was a 2012 Readers Favorite Bronze medalist. His newest novel, "Against the Current," is nearing publicattion and was a silver medalist at Reader's Favorite in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2015
I met author Brian MacLearn at a Readers Favorite award ceremony, where we were both being recognized for our writing. I just read his novel "Against the Current" and I have to admit, when I started it, I had some concerns as to how he was going to pull off a full-length novel with this premise.
But he surprised me in a thoroughly delightful way. The story is believable and packed with suspense and surprises. Once I got started, I found it hard to put down. I think the author has a winner on his hands. If it were possible to give him a standing ovation here, I would. The book is that good. Well done!
But he surprised me in a thoroughly delightful way. The story is believable and packed with suspense and surprises. Once I got started, I found it hard to put down. I think the author has a winner on his hands. If it were possible to give him a standing ovation here, I would. The book is that good. Well done!
July 20, 2014
*** Received copy for in return a honest review***
I certainly wasn't expecting much from this novel, and I was a fool for thinking so. This story was written very well without a dull moment. I grew as Jeffery and Matt's story grew. I could relate with the characters easily, and this made it more enjoyable to read. The story was paced well with a lot of action, making it nearly impossible to put down.
I think many people can relate to this story, either from the bullies or victims perspective. If a story can form some sort of connection with the reader, then its golden. I imagine we will be hearing more and more about this novel as it climbs the ladder to the best sellers list.
I certainly wasn't expecting much from this novel, and I was a fool for thinking so. This story was written very well without a dull moment. I grew as Jeffery and Matt's story grew. I could relate with the characters easily, and this made it more enjoyable to read. The story was paced well with a lot of action, making it nearly impossible to put down.
I think many people can relate to this story, either from the bullies or victims perspective. If a story can form some sort of connection with the reader, then its golden. I imagine we will be hearing more and more about this novel as it climbs the ladder to the best sellers list.
March 12, 2016
Received free for an honest review.
Not my cup of tea. I can see how it can appeal to other readers. I liked the premise, but the lack of certain details and vagaries disappointed me. There's so much potential for this book to be more - and it goes untapped because writing this subject matter is difficult. Why didn't Jeffry leave town as an adult? He was beholden to his well-being and failed to escape. If there had been a fully developed blackmail reason, I'd feel sympathetic toward him. What is this tree bucket nonsense? Describe it. I want to know how it makes and breaks the company's success and why either Matt or Jeff are desperate to claim ownership. How is Matt evil? He's written as such through inference, but the details as to factually why are largely missing. This one is tough, as there is sexual deviance alluded to - but if it is there, take a deep breath as a writer and commit to it. How is it that we 'find' folks driving aimlessly through town? At this point, it seemed like we were coincidentally pushing the story arcs together to close out the story, and yet by taking a step back and mapping it out, it could have been tied together plausibly. Why first person at the end? Why repeat the same events from a different character's POV, when it was already third person? What exactly in Matt's past 'broke' him to behave so? How did this inherited house just appear? It should have been a story flashback prior. How did these missing girls appear? They would have also been flashbacks to building a real monster, as opposed to depending on readers to imagine him as such. I liked the concept. The execution needed a critical eye.
Not my cup of tea. I can see how it can appeal to other readers. I liked the premise, but the lack of certain details and vagaries disappointed me. There's so much potential for this book to be more - and it goes untapped because writing this subject matter is difficult. Why didn't Jeffry leave town as an adult? He was beholden to his well-being and failed to escape. If there had been a fully developed blackmail reason, I'd feel sympathetic toward him. What is this tree bucket nonsense? Describe it. I want to know how it makes and breaks the company's success and why either Matt or Jeff are desperate to claim ownership. How is Matt evil? He's written as such through inference, but the details as to factually why are largely missing. This one is tough, as there is sexual deviance alluded to - but if it is there, take a deep breath as a writer and commit to it. How is it that we 'find' folks driving aimlessly through town? At this point, it seemed like we were coincidentally pushing the story arcs together to close out the story, and yet by taking a step back and mapping it out, it could have been tied together plausibly. Why first person at the end? Why repeat the same events from a different character's POV, when it was already third person? What exactly in Matt's past 'broke' him to behave so? How did this inherited house just appear? It should have been a story flashback prior. How did these missing girls appear? They would have also been flashbacks to building a real monster, as opposed to depending on readers to imagine him as such. I liked the concept. The execution needed a critical eye.
July 20, 2016
*** Received copy for in return a honest review***
I certainly wasn't expecting much from this novel, and I was a fool for thinking so. This story was written very well without a dull moment. I grew as Jeffery and Matt's story grew. I could relate with the characters easily, and this made it more enjoyable to read. The story was paced well with a lot of action, making it nearly impossible to put down.
I think many people can relate to this story, either from the bullies or victims perspective. If a story can form some sort of connection with the reader, then its golden. I imagine we will be hearing more and more about this novel as it climbs the ladder to the best sellers list.
I certainly wasn't expecting much from this novel, and I was a fool for thinking so. This story was written very well without a dull moment. I grew as Jeffery and Matt's story grew. I could relate with the characters easily, and this made it more enjoyable to read. The story was paced well with a lot of action, making it nearly impossible to put down.
I think many people can relate to this story, either from the bullies or victims perspective. If a story can form some sort of connection with the reader, then its golden. I imagine we will be hearing more and more about this novel as it climbs the ladder to the best sellers list.
July 20, 2014
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a story about bullying, standing up to the bully and I guess finding oneself in the process.
I liked this book, it certainly kept me reading and wanting to finish it in order to find out how the whole story ends. It certainly has a good pace and the characters are well developed. I hope this is not the final draft because I did find some typos and grammar issues that need some editing (i.e. naval for navel).
I can even see this book becoming a movie or TV series.
This is a story about bullying, standing up to the bully and I guess finding oneself in the process.
I liked this book, it certainly kept me reading and wanting to finish it in order to find out how the whole story ends. It certainly has a good pace and the characters are well developed. I hope this is not the final draft because I did find some typos and grammar issues that need some editing (i.e. naval for navel).
I can even see this book becoming a movie or TV series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews