Title: Even a Pandemic Can’t Stop Love and Murder Vol. 1 Break the Bank
Author: A.E.S. O’Neill
Publisher: AESON Publications
ISBN: 979-8-9851224-0-4
Pages: 343
Genre: Crime / Political / Psychological Thriller
Reviewed by: Manik Chaturmutha

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A.E.S. O’Neill’s Even a Pandemic Can’t Kill Love and Murder Vol.1 Break the Bank is a mélange of three thriller genres: crime, psychological and political. The prose is flavored with commentary on political and social events in the US during the pandemic. This book is dedicated to creating a world that must be a strong foundation for the following two books in the series. The prologue introduces the protagonist, Alby O’Brien, who suffers through an acutely traumatic event that alters his life. Later, he inadvertently becomes a part of a dangerous bank robbery, forming the plot background of this thriller.

The novel starts with Alby O’Brien working as a construction supervisor in Baghdad, Iraq, during the pandemic when the US-Iraq conflict is in a significant moment of unrest due to the vaccine import ban. Alby befriends a local family there, shockingly leading to an attack on him, leaving him physically and psychologically traumatized. Once he returns home, post the attack, the US mercenaries ask Alby to live underground as the terrorists will stop at nothing to kill him. Forced into such a lifestyle, Alby creates a rulebook he swears to abide by to avoid even the slightest danger.

After returning to the US, Alby begins work as a subcontractor for an under-construction bank. The plot unravels when three men he supplied for the job indulge in a bank robbery. This puts him on the radar of a dangerous hitman investigating the theft. Also, unfortunately, he breaks a crucial rule from his rulebook when he starts getting attracted to the feisty Ginger. Ginger is a dance teacher and works other odd jobs to support herself as she attempts to move on from a problematic past. As the world starts crashing around Alby, his fight for his and Ginger’s survival ensues.

Setting the book in the post-pandemic era infuses this dynamic story with a new dimension of thrill. Since this is the first book in the series, a considerable amount of time is spent building the world. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives of the main and supporting characters, letting the readers into their inner worlds. Also, the protagonist Alby, and his PTSD regarding his attack, have been well fleshed out, and the character of the hitman is menacing and well written.

The first half of the story pulls you into the escape and chase between Alby and the hitman; this is where the thrill is heightened. The romance between Alby and Ginger, and significant plot developments, keeps readers invested in the characters. Irrespective, the novel ends with an intriguing cliff-hanger that leaves Alby and Ginger’s escape at a very curious point. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy slow-burning thrillers with a dash of American politics, policies, and international relations.