My review of book - Overnight Delivery by Raymond Parish

 

Raymond Parish’s blurb on his “Overnight Delivery”  grabbed my interest as it showcased elements of mystery and intrigue. Raymond has dexterously woven a fascinating story in his debut, which revolves around a brilliant psychotherapist Hank Anderson and his mysterious client Kenny Jensen - a robber and a delivery man. Hank is renowned as an expert healer of psychological wounds – ‘the work praises the man.’

 

Hank’s detective friend and a big cop Phil Evans who has taken Kenny in his custody, wants Hank’s help to ensure the safe recovery of Kenny from a health threat. Hank observes a common semblance of family addiction. He strikes a wavelength with Kenny.

 

Hank as an experienced guide truly believes he can cure Kenny, although his interaction with Kenny grows puzzling and turns out to be riskily beset with conflicts and misunderstandings. A murder happens.

 

Hank, as gentle as a lamb, is thrown into the nasty realities of the drug world. He faces life-threatening challenges from strangers. As revelations from Kenny unfold, Hank could not anticipate the horrible havoc that would follow. The threats extend even to his family – his dearest daughter Haley, ex-wife Gail, ageing dad ‘Sage Anderson’ and precious friends in Iowa. (this story credibly transports the reader into a bustling city and its adjoining areas, in Iowa).

 

Propelled as a born risk-taker, Hank momentarily forgets discretion is the better part of valour. He lands in messy complications. Does he succeed in his assigned responsibility without damage to anyone?

 

Raymond has well-articulated remarkable situations portraying mysterious characters and their dynamical emotions.

 

I am satisfied with the authentic characterisation of Hank in a compelling voice as a:

§  good Samaritan –  “we decided to donate the insurance check to a nearby addiction treatment center specializing in services to economically strapped rural folks”;

§  change-agent in society;

§  compassionate listener … “I’ve seen a lot of pain of all kinds, inside and outside pain. Your outside will heal just fine. Inside takes time.”

§  keen therapist with the 3rd eye;

§  humorous personality – “reheated cup of the recycled motor oil, Belinda claims is coffee.”

 

Some other relatable characterisations too attracted me:

§  Hank’s smart secretary Belinda: as a “force of nature; rude but still an effective comfort- provider.

§  Sensible 'Sage' Anderson - as an inspirational Dad of Hank, exhibiting his wisdom in depicting many ground realities  … “I’ll be proud of a son who seeks to help others heal the destruction that addiction brings into this world.”;

§  Haley: depicted as a cute inquisitive daughter of Hank’s truly unique family …“Haley carried on and I silently marveled, as I often did, at her ability to live each day as something new and full of possibilities.”

 

 

 

Raymond’s idiomatic style carries the story nicely. The scenes involving Gail, Haley, Belinda and 'Sage' especially, are vividly portrayed. Slowly, the story drew me into Hank’s world.

 

I felt the antagonist’s role build-up, supposedly as cunning as a fox, was not that dreadful as it was meant to be. Some characters made a mountain out of a molehill and left me perplexed about their real purposes.

 

Raymond sustained my curiosity with his lucid way of telling a mystery story with:

§  unexpected twists, ploys and ruse that worked very well,

§  undercurrent sarcasm and refreshing humour,

§  picturesque descriptions mirroring real-life,

§  situations filled with sentiments and smart scenes,

§  deep friendship portrayals.

 

I liked the style of Raymond’s narratives:

 

“In a mass of arms and legs and torsos, the group amoebaed down the last three stairs… Bodies began to slowly sort themselves, rolling into the crevices of the cramped space.”

 

The story had some stumbling blocks:

§  drift from the main story-flow, thereby dampening the ‘thrill’ – felt Raymond missed the forest in search of woods;

§  wearisome drag;

§  unexplained sketchy motives;

§  unclear contexts (a glossary could help clarify some points).

 

However, the major part of the book appealed to my taste and provided superb entertainment value.

 

Raymond has sculpted a structured story cleverly and has made it a compulsive read. To the reader who yearns for mystery novels -- a story about covert drug operations - with murders spicing it up – you will find this book enjoyable.