Mandy Reviews: The Goodbye Man by Chad Barton

ISBN #: 978-1456743109

Page Count: 208

Copyright: July 1, 2011

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

"As more people filled the packed church, Jack was forced to move down the wall toward the front, until he was very near the altar. From that vantage point, he could see the young mother's face.

He found himself staring at her, unable to look away. He didn't know why. Perhaps it was the terrible sadness in her face. He watched her intently as she clutched a little brown teddy bear and a picture of her daughter, who now lay only feet away in a small casket. The size of it made him wince. Jack felt the anger rise within him."

At sixty years old, Jack Steele has long since retired from putting criminals - especially those that hurt children - in prison. Following his retirement from law enforcement, he built a successful multimillion-dollar company, allowing him financial freedom in his golden years. Following the unexpected loss of his wife, Sarah, however he withdraws into himself. He becomes a loner whose only companion is his German shepherd dog.

Sick of a court system that lets monsters out of prison to torture and kill again and again, he decides there is only one way to stop them. Using his own resources, his credentials as a retired police officer, and his .380 Walther, he and his dog begin to hunt - bringing justice to those whom the system cannot control.

After all, enough is enough.

Mandy's Review:

Never, that I can remember, have I ever cried over a book.

I did with The Goodbye Man.

Jack is a retired law enforcement officer who is widowed and wealthy. His only trusted constant companion since his wife's death is Sadie, his gorgeous, protective, precious, intelligent German shepherd. Because of his wealth, Jack has a Citation airplane at his disposal to come and go as he wishes.

Using his resources (plane, people, money), Jack begins to hunt down the released criminals that have gone back into hiding under assumed identities. Not just any released criminals, though ... Jack hunts down the criminals who were imprisoned for crimes against children.

During his hunts, complications arise: a woman enters Jack's life allowing him to love again and the NYPD and FBI become aware of who Jack is, but not his name. He begins to become easily recognizable thanks to Sadie. Jack knew, from the beginning though, that it would only be a matter of time before he was caught. When that happened, he already had a plan all worked out.

This book mixes elements of romance, murder, suspense, vigilantism and sadness. As a person, you become proud and encouraging of Jack ... even knowing that what he's doing is against the law and a sin. Who wouldn't want to hunt down and kill child rapists and murderers?

Some of the descriptions of the children, how they died and the grief of their families is what made me cry ... well, that and the death of Sadie. I have a softness in my heart for dogs as the dog I had to bury was part German shepherd. There is nothing quite like the loyalty and love of a dog and to read about Sadie's death overwhelmed me. I know that may be a little sappy, but it's who I am ...

I highly recommend this book to all of the mystery/suspense/dog lovers out there. To say it is a great book is not good enough of a description.