Title: Piercing the Darkness
Author: J.J. Nichols
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781984562210
Pages: 308
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

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J.J. Nichol’s dramatic debut novel, Piercing the Darkness, portrays a starkly powerful and unforgettable narrative which touches the soul, while riling the sensibilities, by bringing attention to an intensely unfortunate scourge of modern society, child sex rings.

Although a fictional endeavor, author Nichols does well to drive home the harsh realities of child abduction, abuse and sexual enslavement within the paradigm of his story, which is built with tension, drama, action and intelligent complex characterizations. Immediately, the story brings you into the heart of sheer terror by going back in time 24 years when the abduction of a young boy shook a town to its core and made a traumatic, lifelong impact on one young man, in particular, David Silver. As a result, the course of young David’s life was unalterably affected which spurred him on to eventually joining the Marines, and later having a career in law enforcement as a highly regarded officer in the Lakeside Police Dept.

Intensity and fate take a turn for the exciting, when years later, Detective Silver gets a call about an active child abduction case of which he’s called to investigate. Shockingly, his investigation leads him to the horrifying discovery of evidence of a system of resorts that cater to the hedonistic whims of powerful, very wealthy, and disgustingly pedophiliac men. Consequently, his effort sends him deep into the heart of a world most would not readily tread. Jeopardy, debauchery and intense action abound, as he faces on his own, a perilous path fraught with obstacles, evil abductors and the powerful organization behind the resorts.

Altogether, I will not soon forget Piercing The Darkness, it made for a read that had me emotionally invested and completely engrossed from beginning to end. Author Nichols wields solid storytelling ability within this work as he brings the drama, emotions, and action into a fluent combination that is a startling as it is intense. He keeps the story’s pace fluid by alternating perspectives of the characters which provide eyewitness viewpoints which keep you continually immersed in the story. Not only did I find this to be a cogent, well-written read that aptly portrayed any parent’s worst nightmare, but it also serves a reminder as to the well-hidden absolutely intolerable, and ongoing dilemma of a sick, sad modern society plagued with sexual deviants who derive pleasure from abducting children and entrapping them in sexual enslavement. Additionally, author Nichols provides a section of listed organizations where people can contact and help or contribute.

All in all, this is a story that I recommend every parent needs to read and then hug their kids.