The Earth Bleeds Red is Jackson Paul Baer’s latest book and
the first with Pandamoon Publishing. It’s solid story I highly recommend.
Having waited for a while to read this one, when I received an opportunity to
review an advance copy I jumped at it. It did not disappoint.
The novel is set in the usually rainy and chilly northwest.
There are a lot of references to places in that part of the country that should
satisfy anyone who lives there or has some knowledge of Oregon and Washington
State. It is the story of a great family that must overcome a number of
challenges that test the strengths of their individual characters as well as
their family bonds. Sorry no spoilers in this review, though. It is a mystery
with a lot of suspense and several surprises that you need to experience first
hand. I’ll bet you won’t put it down.
It is well paced and told with a good mixture of imagery in
description and believable dialogue that seamlessly advance the story. And what
a story it is! It could have been pulled from the news. As it is set in present
time, let’s hope it is not prophetic. No one should suffer as these characters
do.
At the beginning we are introduced to a loving family while
the story marinates for a bit. We learn to care a lot about these people and
they rapidly become our friends. Then, later on, we are pulled into their lives
and conflicts as a good mystery should do.
There are more emotional peaks and dips than a rollercoaster
and like a well-designed amusement park ride, this book reserves the best for
the finale. All the elements of a well-crafted novel are brought together and tightly
woven into the fabric of the story.
This book is not a commentary on the human condition, but it
certainly visits some of the problems in the modern world as the plot develops.
Suspense builds around the key event and how it affects many lives and causes
many to draw premature conclusions about others. Reading it is comparable to sharing
a real life experience. Afterwards, we are left changed and with a better
understanding of what it is to be alive and part of a loving but also very
realistic family.
Elgon Williams
