LitPick Review
Blindsighted: The Stronger Will Survive, written by J. L. Hilliam, follows the tale of a grizzled detective, Joe Wills. His daughter, Ariel, was murdered several years ago, her killer still on the streets roaming free. As Joe is demoted to working cold cases within the police department, he stumbles upon a lead in an interesting cold case. In the case of Elizabeth Allen, a murder victim, a strange painting was found in her room, one that seemed to depict Elizabeth at the exact moment of her death. The painting was created by Stanley Bruebrick, a blind artist famous for his macabre masterpieces. Sensing a connection, Detective Wills embarks on a thrilling and mysterious adventure that changes the course of his life. Receiving aid from characters like Virginia, a psychic who works with the police, and Kelly, Joe’s former partner and old flame, a complex narrative unfolds with twists at every turn. Will Detective Wills discover the dark truth behind the case, or will he succumb to the very unseen malice he is chasing?
Opinion:
Hilliam masterfully crafts a narrative that engages the reader from the first page. The presence of parallel storylines keeps the reader on their toes, actively puzzling the elements of the mystery together in what becomes a wild and gripping crime thriller. There is a satisfying balance of descriptions relating to the characters’ physicality and personality in both the dialogue and narration. This allows the reader to easily empathize with the novel’s subjects and brings the world of the book to life. The excellent slow-burn pace sprinkled with enigmatic kernels incites the reader to continue to the shocking climax. This book is intended for mature audiences only, as there are themes related to suicide, graphic violence, strong expletives, and sexual content. Blindsighted: The Stronger Will Survive is a roller coaster that promises an exhilarating mystery and delivers in full.
