What He Deserves

by R.J. Crayton

He can hear them as he lies in his hospital bed. Coma, the nurses whisper. An accident. A 911 call. But Richard remembers none of it. What happened to him?

Richard Lyons knows he’s a good man–a good husband, a good provider, a good father. He works hard and doesn’t suffer fools.

So, when he finds himself in a coma, unable to speak, but able to hear those around him, he’s desperate to awaken. Desperate to return to the life he remembered with his wife, Clarissa, and son, Andrew. Only the life he remembered doesn’t seem to be true. The nurses wonder why Clarissa still visits given what Richard did; Andrew never comes; and the police investigating whatever happened to him leave Richard with more questions than answers. Richard knows his memory now is akin to swiss cheese: riddled with holes.

As memories come back to him, Richard sees the life he thought he knew fade away after a shocking revelation about Andrew. Hoping recovering his memories will be the key to awakening, Richard tries desperately to remember where things went wrong. Only, as the memories come back, he begins to wonder if he was really as good of a man as he believed…

Genres: Mystery

180 pages, ebook

Published May 1, 2019

About the author

RJ Crayton is the author of the three book series. The Prophecy of Light series includes Trapped, Unleashed and the soon to be released Foretold. The Virus series includes Concealed, Exposed, and Contained. The fast-paced dystopian Life First series include Life First, Second Life and Third Life:Taken. She's also author of the paranormal novel Scented and the short-story collection Four Mothers. Prior to becoming an author, Crayton was a journalist. She reported for several publications, including The Kansas City Star and Education Technology News. Crayton lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, she enjoys eating cupcakes, walking, reading, sewing or watching TV (she's partial to Star Trek, super hero flicks and gripping dramas). To find out more about her, visit her website, www.rjcrayton.com.

Reviews

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook)]

Richard looked down on everyone that wasn't as lucky as himself. He thought that the only way to live life properly was through hard 12-hour work days to support your family, and that it was your own fault if you didn't do this. He disregarded the fact that some people may not be able to take those jobs, or may get sick and lose the ability to work at all. He just called them lazy, and even said that they deserved to die rather than forcing hard-working people to pay for their medical expenses. He hates that his church is starting to teach the youth group that some people aren't poor because they are lazy, he hates politics being in his church at all. He tries to tell his son differently, but soon Andrew starts growing apart from him. Just when he thinks that things are back to normal, his son gets into an accident, and his entire life is turned upside down.

The only thing that would have made this book better for me would have been if Richard was more likable. I would have had more sympathy for his coma and what was going on with his life if he wasn't so full of hate from the very start of the novel. Nevertheless, this book was definitely hard-hitting. I have never had any family members or known anyone that had absolutely no compassion for a single person who was poor, working in a low-wage job, or generally down on their luck. Richard didn't care what your case may be, if you did not have money, it was no one's fault but your own. There was no possibility that there may be circumstances that were not in the person's control that brought them to this situation. No, they must have just been lazy in life. I couldn't fathom how Richard didn't see the truth, but he didn't. He stuck to his beliefs from the beginning to the end, and it was definitely interesting to read such a stubborn character.

The book doesn't start off with Richard being in a coma, but the further you get into it, the closer you get to the point where Richard is in the coma, and the more Richard remembers about why he is in his current situation. Crayton is an excellent storyteller and makes sure that readers can feel how lost Richard truly feels while he is in the coma. You are finding things out at the same time Richard is, basically reliving the last few months of his life. This form of storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire novel.

The ending of the story was still shocking, and I reread the last few pages just to truly absorb what happened. I would definitely recommend this book just for the ending, even if the book wasn't as amazing as it is. Now, I have to say that this is a must-read! It's a bit of a political thriller in some ways, but it is mostly a mystery-suspense novel. If you are a fan of either of these genres, then this is the novel for you.

I received a copy of this novel and this is my voluntary review.

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat, not knowing what big surprise would happen next! I could not put the book down. It had my total interest. I could sympathize with the main character for most of the story. I could even understand his frustration and his determination to put the situation back to how it had been. I could even feel his hate! I waited for some surprising end, but I have to say I was very disappointed on how it ended, even though it was What He Deserved!

[Kathryn Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the point of view of a man in a coma, and what he has done that lead up to the coma. Back and forth from the present where he listens to conversations around him, to memories that start to come back to him a bit at a time. A really interesting story that leaves you saying wow at the end.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What He Deserves by RJ Crayton is a wonderful story that I have read. I really enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend this story to everyone.

[Candy Robosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thoughtful look at how quickly a life and one's thinking can be turned upside down. Makes you really think ....do people really deserve whatever comes their way or could the ends occur because of a series of unfortunate events or a bunch of mistaken actions? Who or what is to blame for life or is it just what happens?
I see almost every type of person in society in this book. This book really makes one think about how he/she would react if any of these unfortunate events happened. How forgiving or giving of a person or a society are we truly?
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Shiloh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off sooooo interesting. I kept finding myself thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it but then I get to the end and it just ends. I was so disappointed. I read the last chapter again thinking I missed something. I was thinking it was a thriller/suspense but it's not really.

[J.T. Torassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, quick read.

I enjoyed the way this story slowly unraveled, and I liked not knowing the whole story until the end. Richard was a little too much of a stereotype for me, and there was major oversight in his plan that gave me pause, especially considering how careful he was in his planning. But I enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who wants a fast, mysterious read.

[Laurie Boris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how Ms. Crayton laid out this story, going back and forth and teasing out the details of what happened to the characters. It really enhanced the mystery and kept me reading. The ending felt like the right choice. I highly recommend!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story of a man's many choices in life and how those choices affect his family and friends. I enjoyed reading it and hope you do also.

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with a great life lesson.
Well written.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What He Deserves by RJ Crayton is a wonderful story that I have read. I really enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend this story to everyone.