Reviewed by Tidal

TITLE:  Rubble and the Wreckage

AUTHOR:  Rodd Clark

PUBLISHER:  Driven Press

LENGTH: 254 pages

BLURB:

Gabriel Church knows you can’t take a life without first understanding just how feeble life is, how tentative and weak it stands alone. If you desire murder, you hold a life in your hand. Whether you release it to grant life or grip tighter to end it, it is at your command and discretion. Gabriel is a serial killer with a story he wants told.

Christian Maxwell studied abnormal psychology in college but chose instead to focus on a career in writing. His background comes in handy when he thinks of writing about a serial killer. He can’t think of anyone more qualified to write the story of Gabriel Lee Church, and do so in the murderer’s own words. It’s been done before, but never with a killer who has yet to be captured or convicted.

There was never anything more than a gentleman’s understanding between the two men that Christian would record Gabriel’s life story. The killer did not ask for his complicity in any crimes, nor did he ever ask for his silence. Christian’s interest in the man, though, is fast becoming something more than academic. When the writer and his subject become unexpected friends and then lovers, the question remains: What is Gabriel’s endgame . . . and why does he want his story told?

REVIEW:

Christian Maxwell is quite astute in his studies of abnormal psychology. He wants to interview cold-blooded killer Gabriel Lee Church. Christian is so familiar with the criminal mind, in fact he finds the killer before the police do or so he thinks.

This is a wonderful book for the person who likes stories that offer in depth character studies of flawed people. Both men are very complicated and probably equally fragmented except on opposite sides of the law. Gabriel is straight but there is an attraction. Christian is drawn to the sensual killer like a moth to a flame. His attraction is not charismatic, it is a hypnotic pull that draws him to the killer.

Gabriel is a master at playing with people and their vulnerabilities. Christian often deludes himself with denial that he is in control and keeping his emotions in check. Lines are crossed, boundaries are blurred, and Christian is quickly plunged into a world that is no longer black and white. Christian soon learns that Gabriel has some redeeming qualities and is not 100% evil. Gabriel never forces anything on Christian but as the dance unfolds, they turn into lovers.

Rubble and the Wreckage is a sizzling read. Nothing is what it seems; nor is it so simplistic as a killer grooming a writer to be a patsy for murder like a predictable TV movie. The story unfolds slowly but the pace is never boring. It does not take long to feel a degree of empathy for all the characters as well as making the distinct observation that no one is completely monstrous. As much as I liked the story, I do not recall the last book that ended with such a satisfying conclusion. It was certainly one that I did not see coming.

RATINGS: 

BUY LINKS:

Driven Press

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