THE SOLACE OF DENIM by Kathy Otten
Fiction, YA Paranormal, Ghost mysteries (188 pages)
5*****
Blurb: The victim of a horrific crime, fifteen-year-old Joey Kowalski has bounced around in the foster care system for six years. When his only friend Luke is murdered, suspicion falls on Joey. As evidence mounts against him, Luke’s denim jacket appears in Joey’s closet. When he puts on the jacket, he gets visions of Luke’s murder and hears Luke’s voice in his head. Can Joey convince Luke’s father, Detective Marek, to look past his grief and help him find the real killer?
Thoughts: This is not a light, fun story. Joey Kowalski has had a rough life – family violence, death, his best friend Luke killed, bullied because of his scars and limp, moved from school to school and foster family to foster family. He goes to a therapist, but gets no help there because he refuses to talk about his past. Then he overhears a dark deal going down and gets caught. Then there’s Luke’s jacket. A jacket that keeps showing up even when Joey gives it back to Luke’s father. And when he wears the jacket, weird things happen. Things Joey doesn’t understand at first, not before he realizes what the jacket means.
What I liked: The characters are well done and realistic. Joey has had a rough life and doesn’t trust easily (with good reason). His connection with Luke goes beyond a ghostly haunting with the old denim jacket – as does his connection with Luke’s dad. And the bullying happens like the author says—even in places where it’s said bullying doesn’t happen. It does. Well done. And the ending is satisfying.
What I didn’t like: There are more than a few triggers here for some people, especially the family abuse from the father. I thought it was well done, but fair warning to some readers.
Recommendation: Definitely recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
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