Eight stars
David Beckler develops the first of his two protagonist in this prequel novella of the Mason & Sterling Thriller series. Byron Mason has been trying to get his security company up and running, though has run into a few snags. These including significant financial issues, forcing Mason to turn to one of his lenders. He learns that the man likes to play hardball and holds some of the iffy press that has been coming in as indicative of larger issues. As Mason tries to handle those he employs, he learns that one in particular might be more a liability than he can accept, firing him after an altercation. Refusing to leap through too many hoops, Mason angers many around him, though he knows that he will not be able to ignore those with the funds he needs to stay afloat. When Mason is involved in a few sketchy situations, he wonders if he is being targeted by those who want to enact some form of vendetta. With his friend and former Royal Marine colleague, Adam Sterling, in town, Mason tries to chase down those who have him in their crosshairs. However, after Mason’s wife becomes a target, all sense of niceties fall by the wayside. An interesting piece that keeps the reader enthralled throughout and helps to develop the Byron Mason character for those who are interested. Recommended for those who like a quick-paced thriller and who may want to test the waters before delving into a full-on novel.
David Beckler offers readers a wonderful story in this one, which mixes the grit of a man trying to put his business on the map with the heroics of someone who is willing to defend himself and his family to the end. Byron Mason proves himself to be a wonderful character and whose passion for work and family come through at every turn. Beckler develops his former protagonist well in this piece, as he did with his latter character in the first novella. There is a grittiness that’s Mason shows and one can only hope that it will stick as the series develops. The story was strong and offered something for the reader to properly judge what is to come when the full-length novel is released. I admit that I am slightly baffled how this, the second novella and labelled as “#1.5” should come out before the first novel “#1”, but I leave that to Beckler and his publishers to tackle the brain cramp that is that rationality. Those who have not tried this series ought to give at least the novellas a try and they will likely soon realise that Beckler has crafted something worth time and invested effort. A wonderful piece by David Beckler, who is able to juggle all aspects of this story.
Kudos, Mr. Beckler, for another entertaining novella. I can only hope that there is more to come, dazzling readers at every turn.
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
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