Fiction Review

Devil's Game: A Novel
by Charles A. Reap Jr.
ISBN-10: 0595392105
Review by Heather Froeschl

Do you ever feel like someone is just playing a game with your life? How would you react to sudden changes and tragic circumstances that you had absolutely no control over? In Charles A. Reap, Jr.'s novel, "Devil's Game," his main character is about to take a wild ride and all he wants is to get off and stand on solid ground again.

George Sheldon seems like your ordinary, hardworking, average guy. He's married, enjoys gardening and has been working for the same engineering company for 20 years. So when he starts seeing the devil driving a light blue oversized SUV right before major accidents and tragedies occur, it just seems quite unbelievable. First the SUV crashes into a tanker truck and causes a massive and deadly multi-car crash that George narrowly escapes. Then there is the plane crash, the train derailment and other tragically wild occurrences, with George always nearby and trying to forewarn those who will be involved. The police become suspicious and just aren't buying George's claim of a mysterious blue SUV that has never been found at the scene.

George tries to block out the visions and slowly sinks into alcoholism. This doesn't do much for his marriage or job, and pretty soon his life goes from mundane to the absolute worst it can be. There are those that think he is part of a terrorist group and others who assume he has a need for a nice long rest in the state mental ward. Will George be able to reclaim his life? Will anyone ever see this blue SUV that haunts him? Will George have to face the devil himself?

The author has done a great job in portraying the confusion and loss of control that his character feels. The crescendo of events and challenges that George endures will leave readers breathing a sigh in relief that this is just a work of fiction. The concept of the tale is fascinating and very well thought out; the plot progresses quickly, though at a time or two may have been a little over done for this reader's taste. I enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing what else Charles A. Reap, Jr. comes up with.