(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“It’s never the pain at the moment that hurts us. It’s that we are always going to have it, always going to carry it with us. “
Rick Phillips never fully recovered from a high school shooting. Though he lived through it, the emotional and physical scars remained with him. After a couple of failed marriages and a lot of built-up anger, he finds himself continually making poor decisions.
After publishing a successful book based on his ordeal, he landed a position as an adjunct professor. Currently experiencing writer’s block, he’s been notified that he’s going to lose his job unless he publishes something soon.
Enter Harriet Bristol Wheeler who seduces him at a writer’s conference. After their sordid one-night stand, she tells him what she really wants. That is for him to write her biography, and that is one of a serial killer.
Could that give him the break he needs or is she lying? As she begins to show him proof of her crimes, he realizes that he could be in danger. Is she trying to frame him for one of her offences, or could he be her next victim?
As we read this riveting story, we learn more about Rick, his past and his secrets. Through this journey, he also discovers more about himself.
Combustible Punch takes us on a fast-paced ride with unexpected twists that kept me glued to each page. Because of this, I was anticipating a masterful conclusion. Unfortunately, that was the big disappointment. The ending was illogical while also being formulaic.
I’m often angered when this happens, feeling that my time was wasted. That was not the case here. I still enjoyed Combustible Punch in spite of this. The interesting characters and captivating plot were well worth my time.
