Review: Hans Becker's Family by Ralph Souders

ISBN #: 978-1-935805-63-2

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

As the maid walked to the center of the room, she noticed that everything in the room was organized and in its proper place. At first glance, the bed appeared to be very neat, and the maid expected to find that it had already been made.

However, she quickly realized that this was not the situation, as a young man was lying in it beneath the sheet and the bedspread with his head resting comfortably on a pillow. His hair was smooth and in place.

As the maid approached him more closely, a very uneasy feeling came over her, and she got a very tight knot in the pit of her stomach. Her immediate impulse was to rush from the room and to call the housekeeping manager, but the man was young, probably not yet twenty. She felt almost a mother’s concern for him.

Against her better judgment, the maid reached out to him and touched the small area of his bare shoulder that was not covered by the sheet. The maid’s suspicion was confirmed. The shoulder was cold. The man was dead.

And so, the stage is set for this gripping and suspense-filled tale by new and upcoming author Ralph S. Souders.

Charlie's Review:

Murder, lies, and secrets are at the heart of this novel. Hans Becker’s family may not be at all what it seems. What is really behind the random deaths at local hotels? From the very first page to the very last, the suspense never ends. I couldn’t wait to get all the answers, and didn’t want it to end.

Mr. Souders has a gift for storytelling. You get the feeling you are in the room with the characters, witnessing the story, first-hand. I was drawn in immediately, and as the story line took shape, have to say that I have never read anything like this. The main character gives us a disturbing look into a self-centered mind that lacks rational thought processes, and perhaps the basics of human compassion.

Just what do these seemingly random deaths have to do with the family Becker?

I hazard to share much of the storyline, as to spoil it. I will say, if you enjoy suspense/thrillers, You MUST read this book! I am looking forward to more works from Mr. Souders. This is a definite 5 out of 5 stars!