Title: Fragile Brilliance: A Ronan McCullough Novel
Author: Eliot Parker
Publisher: Roundfire Books
ISBN: 978-1785350825
Pages: 304
Genre: Police Thriller
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
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Pacific Book Review
A tautly wound, police thriller Eliot Parker’s “Fragile Brilliance: A Ronan McCullough Novel” will keep readers engaged to the last page as they are entertainingly immersed into the entangled, action packed and sometimes emotion piquing world of tenaciously durable police officer Ronan McCullough. Charleston, West Virginia Police officer Ronan McCullough is one tough character, he is thoroughly dedicated to his job and when he pursues a criminal he is relentless, willing to risk life and limb if necessary. However sergeant Ronan also has a gentler side, especially when it comes to his family, in particular his mate -Ty Andino. Ty is good looking, younger than Ronan and an emergency room nurse, at Charleston General hospital. The two share a home and a deep harmonious love for each other however; because of surrounding intolerance only a select few know the truth of their relationship while others are shown a friendly facade.
Already leading a conflicted existence Sergeant Ronan’s life becomes completely unsettled after coming to the aid of college student Michael Warner, who was in the midst of being assaulted by some goons outside of a sports bar. The intensely violent incident left Ronan and Michael, severely injured and Ronan questioning the true motives of the assailers. Ronan following his well-developed instincts from 20 years of police experience realizes that the incident may have only been the tip of the iceberg. Inexorably drawn into the case and always the dedicated police officer, Ronan is anxious to get to the truth of the incident. Ronan in his pursuit knows no bounds and uses Herculean efforts surpassing his own limits to unravel the growing web of deadly mystery. As the horrifying truth is exposed a diabolical plot involving a dangerous street drug comes to light. Ronan knows he is in the way and soon finds that he is not the only target of this devious adversary and it becomes a fast paced race against time, deadly drugs and murder to save family, limb and the people of Charleston.
I found “Fragile Brilliance” to be an easy read to get into it was competently written, featured likable characters had an evenly paced infusion of mystery, action and adult romance. I enjoyed the action scenes, which portrayed a realistic momentum. And as for the characters, tough, heroic natured Ronan and caring, nurturing Ty were interesting as individual characters and as a complementary gay couple involved in a believable relationship. Another engaging character is Ronan’s estranged sister Melissa, she is angry, bossy, disrespectful, selfish and against her brother’s homosexual lifestyle but she needs a relationship with her brother. Author Parker did a great job with portraying the conflicted and touching relationship between brother and sister bringing yet another engaging dimension of realism to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed “Fragile Brilliance;” it was a gripping, and gritty gay themed police thriller that kept me rapt in its pages until the end. I definitely recommend this book for adult readers, it was a great read, but did contain graphic sex.
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