Title: The Right Side
Author: Spencer Quinn
Publisher: Atria Books, imprint of Simon and Schuster
Release Date: June 27, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
In this riveting new novel by the New York Times bestselling author of the Chet and Bernie mystery series, a deeply damaged female soldier home from the war in Afghanistan becomes obsessed with finding a missing girl, gains an unlikely ally in a stray dog, and encounters new perils beyond the combat zone.
LeAnne Hogan went to Afghanistan as a rising star in the military, and came back a much lesser person, mentally and physically. Now missing an eye and with half her face badly scarred, she can barely remember the disastrous desert operation that almost killed her. She is confused, angry, and suspects the fault is hers, even though nobody will come out and say it.
Shattered by one last blow—the sudden death of her hospital roommate, Marci—LeAnne finds herself on a fateful drive across the country, reflecting on her past and seeing no future. Her native land is now unfamiliar, recast in shadow by her one good eye, her damaged psyche, and her weakened body. Arriving in the rain-soaked small town in Washington state that Marci had called home, she makes a troubling discovery: Marci’s eight-year-old daughter has vanished. When a stray dog—a powerful, dark, unreadable creature, no one’s idea of a pet—seems to adopt LeAnne, a surprising connection is formed and something shifts inside her. As she becomes obsessed with finding Marci’s daughter, LeAnne and her inscrutable canine companion are drawn into danger as dark and menacing as her last Afghan mission. This time she has a strange but loyal fellow traveler protecting her blind side.
Enthralling, suspenseful, and psychologically nuanced, The Right Side introduces one of the most unforgettable protagonists in modern fiction: isolated, broken, disillusioned—yet still seeking redemption and purpose—LeAnne takes hold of you and never lets go.
LeAnne Hogan went to Afghanistan as a rising star in the military, and came back a much lesser person, mentally and physically. Now missing an eye and with half her face badly scarred, she can barely remember the disastrous desert operation that almost killed her. She is confused, angry, and suspects the fault is hers, even though nobody will come out and say it.
Shattered by one last blow—the sudden death of her hospital roommate, Marci—LeAnne finds herself on a fateful drive across the country, reflecting on her past and seeing no future. Her native land is now unfamiliar, recast in shadow by her one good eye, her damaged psyche, and her weakened body. Arriving in the rain-soaked small town in Washington state that Marci had called home, she makes a troubling discovery: Marci’s eight-year-old daughter has vanished. When a stray dog—a powerful, dark, unreadable creature, no one’s idea of a pet—seems to adopt LeAnne, a surprising connection is formed and something shifts inside her. As she becomes obsessed with finding Marci’s daughter, LeAnne and her inscrutable canine companion are drawn into danger as dark and menacing as her last Afghan mission. This time she has a strange but loyal fellow traveler protecting her blind side.
Enthralling, suspenseful, and psychologically nuanced, The Right Side introduces one of the most unforgettable protagonists in modern fiction: isolated, broken, disillusioned—yet still seeking redemption and purpose—LeAnne takes hold of you and never lets go.
The Right Side by Spencer Quinn is intense, yet brings to light a certain dose of lightness that is very much reality. That cover says a lot, and is what intrigued me to pick up this book. As we read, we embark on this journey with a very personal perspective of the narrator, LeAnne. We come away having a glimpse into a mind of one suffering from PTSD, bitter from the traumatic events that led to a physical disability for a tough female.
Through it all, the author's choice to have our main character, LeAnne also be the narrator makes the experience more understandable, though not necessarily likable. The almost fidgety narration of LeAnne is insight into her mind, yet still hard to grasp for those not familiar. For readers who can't relate, I wish it delved a little more on the process of treatment. The highlight of The Right Side is truly the bond between LeAnne and the equally tough and vexatious dog. The quiet, supportive nature and unconditional love of a dog is so well written, one just can't help but fall in love with this unlikely, yet very similar duo, even if you're not a dog lover. Unfortunately, we don't see this until the latter half of the book, which made sense for us to really get to know LeAnne. Overall, a story that gives readers a very distinct character and a journey of healing.
Through it all, the author's choice to have our main character, LeAnne also be the narrator makes the experience more understandable, though not necessarily likable. The almost fidgety narration of LeAnne is insight into her mind, yet still hard to grasp for those not familiar. For readers who can't relate, I wish it delved a little more on the process of treatment. The highlight of The Right Side is truly the bond between LeAnne and the equally tough and vexatious dog. The quiet, supportive nature and unconditional love of a dog is so well written, one just can't help but fall in love with this unlikely, yet very similar duo, even if you're not a dog lover. Unfortunately, we don't see this until the latter half of the book, which made sense for us to really get to know LeAnne. Overall, a story that gives readers a very distinct character and a journey of healing.
For my clean readers, this book contains some foul language.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
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| Photo Credit: Randi Baird |
(3) winners will each win a hardcover copy of The Right Side by Spencer Quinn. Ends 6/16.
I'm a huge Spencer Quinn fan but haven't read this book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get the chance to read this one soon!
DeleteSounds very interesting and one I'd enjoy. I don't do Twitter so that leaves me out a good bit.😫
ReplyDeleteSorry Gail. This giveaway rafflecopter vame directly from the publisher so we couldn't add other options.
DeleteSounds interesting. I'm also not on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteSorry S!
DeleteThis books looks so amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you, Just Commonly, for these excellent interviews!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie for stopping by!
DeleteI received this book from the publisher as a surprise.
ReplyDeleteNice review.
Love those kinds of surprises! 😉 Thank you!
DeleteI am part of TLC and I saw your posting on their Facebook page. After reading your review which is really good I had to enter. It will be going on my to be read list. I have my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie! I appreciate you taking the time! 😄
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.
ReplyDelete