Title: The Missing Puzzle Piece (A Dying Truth Exposed, Book Four)
Author: Marcus Abston
Publisher: Chas Novels
ISBN: 9798986596518
Pages: 280
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda

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The Missing Puzzle Piece is the fourth installment of the A Dying Truth Exposed series penned by a distinguished author, Marcus Abston. A family saga in the historical fiction genre, the book continues with the tale of lineage and legacy of Annabelle, a slave woman born on a cotton plantation who makes a daring escape into Indian territory after fleeing from her ruthless slave masters in Mercy, Missouri. She settles into a new life with her Cherokee family as she navigates through the intricacies of being a mother. In this latest offering, Annabelle’s legacy continues as the Lighting-Strongman family is confronted with new challenges. Annabelle’s son with David, her husband, is kidnapped by cruel Indian agents to auction him as a slave for profit.

In this desperate and heartbreaking time, the family is pushed to their limits and must hold on to their faith in God and values in the hope of overcoming this enormous challenge. Annabelle is forced to confront her painful and traumatic past as it seeks to enter into her new family and her son, Joseph. As the book draws to a close, an unforeseen rebellion and a shocking revelation bring unexpected healing to a family in dire need of it with Joseph as the missing puzzle.

Marcus Abston hits the trifecta with his latest book with his drawn characters and striking parallels between the social and political intrigues of that period.  Elegantly constructed and told with exceptional finesse, Annabelle’s family legacy is a tale of loss, love, and acceptance. Through impeccable research and impressive wordplay, the author who is also a descendant of two Native American tribes, manages to shed light on present-day readers the insight into past realities helping Native Americans and African Americans to have a voice and reclaim their histories, away from colonial narratives. Through this, the author hopes to educate readers and make us reflect on our own choices in life.

I particularly liked how the author gave a decent send-off to his characters and left no stone unturned regarding the major storyline and those minor ones that emerge along the way. The Missing Puzzle Piece (A Dying Truth Exposed, Book Four) glimmers with pitch-perfect prose, and a taut pace and is rich in historical detail. At the heart of this saga, is a story that throbs to the beat of history. The further readers sink into this magnificent feat, the more power it emanates. Indeed, Marcus Abston’s ambitious work is not only educative but is also a whole world to get lost in.