American Drifter

September 1, 2017
A young American finds love and danger in the steamy streets of Rio de Janeiro--with a twist--in Graham (Angel of Mercy & Standoff at Mustang Ridge, 2017, etc.) and Murray's novel.River Roulet, a veteran of the Iraq War, luxuriates in his simple life in Brazil, sleeping under the stars and eating fresh food from the market. He has made a few good friends, though he is troubled by nightmares of bombs and raids, and occasionally he hears the haunting laughter of a child. When he meets Natal, a beautiful, free-spirited journalist, he begins to think that he might really be able to live a full and happy life, as she captures his heart in a few short days. But Natal has secrets, and, as it turns out, so does River. The writing is somewhat overwrought, but the setting of the novel intrigues. While it may idealize Rio and its surrounding areas, it's also well-developed through lots of sensory language and description of both the natural beauty of the area and the vibrant culture of Carnival. River and Natal are almost too good; despite their secret lives, their love seems uncomplicated and, again, idealized. It's hard to imagine that this perfect union could last, because we never see any flaws in them or in their relationship. The novel tries to compensate for these simplified characters with a not-so-satisfying plot twist, falling back on some cliches about PTSD. But maybe it's enough that the reader gets to see and hear and smell and imagine the most beautiful and cacophonous sides of Rio, to dream of traveling to exotic places that, seemingly, have no dark side to threaten true love. A pretty, airy fairy tale for a modern time--though the end briefly acknowledges that perfection can only ever be an illusion.

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November 1, 2017

Suffering from nightmares induced by post-traumatic stress disorder, army veteran River Roulet flees the States and escapes to Brazil, where he lives on very little, makes some good friends, and meets a mysterious woman named Natal. She's adventurous and beautiful, and River quickly becomes obsessed. He doesn't care where she's from or who she really is; being together is all that matters, and he's determined to overcome the many obstacles, including the drug lord who is Natal's lover, to make that happen. Best-selling author Graham and TV star Murray (making his fiction debut) have teamed up to pen a haunting page-turning tale about a broken man. Readers will need to savor slowly to absorb every clue as the dreamlike, slightly disjointed plotline leads to a doozy "aha" that makes the journey worthwhile. The likable, eclectic characters are well drawn; the authors also succeed in capturing the vibrant landscape and culture of Brazil. But it's the tragedy of PTSD that dominates the narrative. VERDICT This thriller will appeal to readers who love complex story lines, untidy, gritty psychological mysteries, and clever, complicated protagonists. Members of Murray's fan club will also definitely be curious.--Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City-Cty. Lib. Dist., St Peters, MO

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018

Veteran River Roulet, who is returning home after a stint in the U.S. Army, wants to escape the horrors that he witnessed. He flees to Rio de Janeiro, where he works hard to get his life back in order. He falls in love with a beautiful girl named Natal. She lives with a gangster, Tio Amato, who has a stranglehold on much of the country. In order to protect himself, River is forced to kill one of Amato's men. Now a hunted man, River must protect himself and Natal. The authors offer plenty of romance and intrigue but also draw attention to mental health issues among veterans and others who have experienced extremely stressful situations. The narrative is straightforward, and readers will be eager to find out the truth about River. VERDICT Fans of romance, immersed in action and suspense with an unexpected twist, will appreciate this book.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.