Mandy Reviews: Hans Becker's Family by Ralph S. Souders

ISBN #: 978-1935805632

Page Count: 349

Copyright: 2010

Publisher: 2 Moon Press

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.

Mandy's Review:

This is actually the second review that's been posted on Literary R&R for Hans Becker's Family. The first review was posted on April 14, 2011 by Charlene. You can click here to read what she had to say.

The plot is unique and imaginative. Angie was a good student and artist who was living with her family. Then things began to go down hill ... She was accused of molesting the oldest son of her employer, then she was coerced into an illicit affair with the accuser's husband and finally she had to go to court over the molestation accusation.

All of this trauma affects Angie and her trust of men. She learns from the trauma and utilizes it to her advantage.

Hans meets Angie through an unfortunate set of events and, over time, they grow close enough to begin living together. Hans is unaware of Angie's past and believes that Angie is the woman of his dreams.

When Hans' world begins to fall apart, it is from the results of situations that Angie has participated in. It catches him unexpectedly and he is not prepared for the emotional ride Angie has inadvertently thrown him on.

Although I enjoyed the plot of this novel, I did think the writing and language used was too proper. Maybe this is the German way ... I'm not sure, but I did find the characters to be a little too polite and respectful of each other. I know that probably sounds odd, but it's hard for me to imagine an entire culture excessively polite.

I would recommend this book to all persons who enjoy a suspense novel with a protagonist twist. It would be a wonderful addition to your personal library.