Book Review: Beleaguered Truth

TITLE:  Beleaguered Truth

SERIES: Shattered Triangle

AUTHOR: William Messenger

PUBLICATION DATE: (26 August 2015)

PUBLISHER: Black Rose Writing 

ASIN: B014JSBW14 

PAGES: 280 

BOOK BLURB

International terrorism and political turmoil dominate the early 21st century in this sequel to Shattered Triangle: A Consequential Murder. War looms on the horizon, straining ancient friendships as nations are divided over how to confront and conquer terror. As world conflicts threaten to spiral out of control, politics, religion, and law enforcement each seek ways to respond to these new realities and bring order from chaos. Artfully blending fact and fiction Beleaguered Truth follows three central characters called upon to balance their professional lives with the burden of personal tragedy. Senator Giuseppe Lozano, Fr. Giovanni Lozano, and Lt. Tom Moran admirably fulfill their official duties. Yet each is uniquely burdened by the disturbing truth behind a family murder in Hancock Park. A truth they cannot even share with each other.

INTRODUCTION

'Beleaguered Truth' is the second book in the series, 'Shattered Triangle'.
This novel speaks with the POV of Giuseppe Lozano, and progresses with the plots of the other protagonists of the series, Lt. Tom Moran Giovanni Lozano, and Giuseppe himself.

Lt. Tom Moran knows the identity of the murderer of Giuseppe Lozano's family.
But there's no evidence through which he can prove it. And he's frustrated. 
Fr. Giovanni Lozano also shares the fate of Tom, when the murderer successfully silences him by confessing his sins in a sacred confession in the church.
Giuseppe Lozano, in order to fulfill his ambitions, stops to no extent. For him, everything is expendable. Even his family. And the fact that he orders his family to be killed proves him to be ambitious, but a ruthless and cruel person, nonetheless.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

The identity is known, the murderer is present right in the front seat, but no way to capture it.

After the identity of the murderer of Giuseppe Lozano's family has revealed in Shattered Triangle: A Consequential Murder, the story left me speechless. It was so unexpected, and yet seemed so real to the world situation today. 'Beleaguered Truth' adds more to the story, with Giuseppe's POV, and how he feels about the consequences he created. 

William Messenger has done very well in writing out this book. Especially about the POV. It certainly made the story more intriguing, as I felt a need to know how Giuseppe feels after murdering his own wife and three children.

THE BARE BONES

'Beleaguered Truth' is a great political thriller and very captivating, to say the least. 
It deals with the impact of the truth on Tom and Giovanni. The book delves deep into the further story that is Shattered Triangle. Tom Moran also reunites with his wife, the brilliant Emily Cartwright.

The relationship between Giuseppe and Jackson, Giuseppe's closet friend from college days, whose friendship was strained after an event, is clarified and progressed. 

Giuseppe is, basically, trying to get closer to his ambition; to become the President, and either clearing his hindrances or wiping them off. And he's not getting punished because of it, owing to his calculated moves.

THE CHARACTERS

Giuseppe Lozano, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, is now set to become the President of the USA. Gaining the sympathy votes for his family loss, which he himself initiated, he is a step forward in his pursuit for power. He silenced the only two people who knows his secret, and it has a consequence on them. 

Fr. Giovanni Lozano, a Catholic priest, finds his faith wavering after learning the sinful truth of his twin brother. He tries to believe that there is still some good left in Giuseppe, but fails.

Lt. Tom Moran, a talented and accomplished detective, finds his career at risk, due to the 'lacking' of development in the Lozano case. Apart from that, the burden of truth takes its toll on Tom, but he must be strong, and try to bring justice.

The question for this book, is: The triangle is being shattered. Will it be broken into pieces, or is it possible to mend them together and reconstruct the once beautiful triangle.?

4.5/5 Stars 

Great if you enjoy: murder mysteries, complex plots, murder trilogy 

Not great if you're looking for: simple reads, non-kill mysteries, quick reads.

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Thank you to the author, William Messenger, for a paperback review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.