Book Review: Spirit of the Straight Edge

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

Spirit of the Straight Edge     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Babs Lakey
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Psychological Suspense
Series: Elsie Sanders # 1
Over My Dead Body! Books, 2001, $ 18.00, 342 pp.

Having been abused during her life, Elsie has become a victim. However, when she sees those she loves being abused, she decides it is time to fight back. As she bypasses the law, Detective Gerald Lawson is assigned to track down an assailant known as 'Bite Woman'. Is Elsie responsible? Will the assailant be captured?

The cover of this book carries a warning that it contains graphic violence and sex. This does not really go as far as to describe the exact nature of the book, as Lakey has really written a pornographic, vicious novel. Recently, there has been controversy over Karin Slaughter's 'Blindsighted' and its graphic violence, but Lakey far exceeds her levels and the book is a real assault on its readers.

Lakey's point is understandable and she tries to show the reader the different abuse that can go on, but do people really wish to read about rape, incest, murder, sodomy and many other types of horrific abuse? It is true that these go on and they must be stopped, but as Elsie descends into madness, her character becomes increasingly strange and the reader will find it harder and harder to empathise with her.

The novel is told through the thoughts of the killer, the thoughts of Elsie and flashbacks to the past, with occasional interventions from Detective Lawson. This does make a refreshing change, but overall, the book left me cold. Perhaps this is due to the disturbing subject matter and whilst some people may find this book enjoyable and readable, I did not. Unnecessarily graphic and disturbing.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
http://lukecroll.translatorscafe.com