Book Review: Virtual Memories

Reviewed By: Carl Brookins - RAM

[2 stars]

Virtual Memories Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Natalie Buske Thomas
Class/Genre: Mystery
Series: Serena Wilcox # 2
self published by Independent Spirit Publishing, P.O. Box 462 in Cannon Falls, MN, 55009 or directly from the author online at ISPublishing@AOL.com. $5.95 softcover

This novel is the second of a self-published series about a character named Serene Wilcox. Author Natalie Buske Thomas, from Cannon Falls, Minnesota, uses her small town circumstances to good effect, but the story has some serious flaws in the telling. A business called Virtual Memories sets up in town. Clients drink a special cocktail and through computer technology imperfectly described, are transported to a virtual cyber reality of their choosing. The problem is, the technology seriously messes with the client's mind. And, sometimes, since there are a lot of people walking around with a tenuous grip on reality anyway, a session or two at Virtual Memories drives them around the bend. Instead of calling in a doctor or visiting a hospital, when the principal character goes over the edge, in comes our protagonist, pizza slurping Serena Wilcox. Unfortunately, several instances of misplaced attempts at humor detract from the plot which at times is confusing. The author resorts to the use of capital letters and italics to convey emotions, rather than powerful writing, which can also be distracting

Carl Brookins - RAM

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