Absolution

by R.V. Biggs

A long buried trauma lies deep within Rachel Amis’ soul — disturbing and distressing events from a troubled childhood.

But close friends and a peaceful life keep the evil at bay, aided one balmy evening by her partner Peter who asks her to marry him as they stroll hand in hand along a sunlit shore.

However, the following day, her joy is overshadowed when an unexpected visitor arrives, triggering memories she would rather forget.

Refusing her friends’ advice to engage with the visitor, Rachel struggles to keep her past behind her.

But what now will she do? Ignore what has happened, or take the more difficult road forward, knowing that everything may change forever.

ebook

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Hello and welcome. My name is Robert Biggs and to make life easier and in memory of my father whose middle name I took, I write as R V Biggs.

My work centres on real people living real lives in modern times but where themes of love, destiny and the strength of family lie central to each tale. Within each novel, I have endeavoured to weave joy with tragedy, jeopardy with hope, love with loss, and where the extraordinary slips unexpectedly into ordinary lives.

I was born and raised in the Black Country and apart from a year in a Scottish croft (that is a tale in itself) have returned to my roots. I am now retired with my wife Julie, along with memories of our beloved Black Labradors Sadie and Maggie — constant companions on long walks while I worked through plot lines and dialogue.

I worked for 35 years in telecommunications but changed career paths to a managerial supporting role within a local Mental Health NHS trust. It was during the period between these roles that the concept for my first novel Song of the Robin was born.

I am a firm believer that destiny and co-incidence exist hand in hand and this conviction steered much of my writing. A passion for holistic well-being and first-hand experience of the potential healing powers of Reiki, a form of energy therapy, drove me to take a Reiki level 1 training course to heighten my spiritual awareness. Experiences in these areas helped conceive the ideas that led to Song of the Robin and its sequels Reunion and Broken.

When I'm not writing (more often than not), I'll be getting out in the fresh air stretching my legs at National Trust sites, or country parks, or tending the garden. Maybe daydreaming late in the afternoon.

If you have any questions or comments to make, you can find me at authorrvbiggs@gmailcom

Reviews

[Martti Orson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolution by R.V. Biggs is one of those rare books that lingers with you long after the last page. From the first chapter, I was drawn into Rachel Amis’ world a woman whose seemingly peaceful life begins to unravel when the past she’s worked so hard to bury resurfaces unexpectedly.

What struck me most about this novel was its quiet intensity. Biggs doesn’t rely on grandiose plot twists or overdone drama; instead, he crafts a deeply personal story about trauma, love, and the difficult, often painful, path to self-forgiveness. Rachel’s internal struggle felt incredibly authentic her hesitation, her denial, even her resistance to well-meaning advice from friends all felt true to someone who’s spent years carefully compartmentalizing the unthinkable.

Peter, Rachel’s partner, is written with a warm tenderness that acts as a counterbalance to the shadows creeping into her life. His proposal early on is beautifully timed, offering a glimpse of hope and love only to be complicated the very next day by the arrival of a figure from Rachel’s past. The emotional whiplash she experiences is so well written, I felt it right alongside her.

Biggs excels at character-driven storytelling. Every interaction, every memory that resurfaces feels purposeful. I appreciated how the book doesn’t offer easy answers. Rachel’s decision to confront or avoid her past isn’t presented as a binary choice between right and wrong, but as a deeply human dilemma. I found myself rooting for her, even when I didn’t agree with her decisions, because I understood them.

If you’re looking for a story that handles trauma with nuance, and characters that feel like real people trying to navigate emotional minefields, Absolution is a powerful read. It’s quietly devastating, surprisingly hopeful, and ultimately, beautifully redemptive.

[Susan Butwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolution hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Rachel's journey through resurfacing trauma is told with such emotional depth and raw honesty that I often had to pause just to sit with the weight of it. I really appreciated how Biggs didn’t glamorize or rush her healing. The contrast between the peaceful life she builds and the emotional chaos that follows the unexpected visitor felt painfully real. I found myself rooting for her even when I didn’t agree with her choices. This isn't just a story about facing the past. it’s about how fragile the present can be when the past is unresolved. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and full of truth.

[Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in right from the beginning. There’s a calm, almost dreamlike quality in the opening chapters the beach, the proposal and then the tension builds like a quiet storm. Rachel is a complex and believable character; I admired her vulnerability and her resistance, even when it was frustrating. The pacing is steady, more character-driven than action-packed, but it works because the emotional stakes are so high. I found myself thinking about my own past and how easy it is to pretend certain things don’t exist. Biggs has written something truly human here imperfect and real.

[Logan Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Absolution is how intimate it felt. R.V. Biggs writes with such tenderness that even the most painful scenes feel respectful and honest. Rachel’s decision to avoid confronting her past is relatable, how many of us would do the same? The dynamic between her and Peter was particularly moving, especially as the pressure of her secrets begins to unravel that peace. It’s not a flashy story, but it’s layered and deeply emotional. If you’re looking for a read that explores the psychological toll of buried trauma with grace and empathy, this book is worth every page.