IN-Sight by Gerald Webster - book review
(NOTE - I read this book when it came out in 2010 and it is a very well written, entertaining and award-winning first novel by Gerald Webster. His followup, Soul Reader, was recently released and a review is forthcoming when I finish it)
Author · Gerard D. Webster
Publisher - Outskirts Press
www.OutskirtsPress.com
Review by Tom Gilbert · © May, 2010
Any well written action thriller has fully developed characters, plot twists and some unusual event as the hook to the story. Such is the case with the fine debut by Gerard Webster. IN-SIGHT revolves primarily around Ward McNulty, a syndicated columnist who seems to have what he wants in life - fame, a beautiful woman and some powerful friends. He lives to please himself, but as the story unfolds he discovers he is caught up in something frightening. There's corruption, drugs, alcoholism, egotism and people hurting from the lack of meaning in their life.
A legal battle over the potential development of a middle-class residential area into a high-rolling resort destination has many in Jacksonville, Florida choosing sides. For Ward McNulty the kicker is he and his father are on opposite ends of this fight. Ward is in favor of the idea and he uses his column to promote it. His girlfriend, anchor of a local TV station news show, is also drumming up public support. But Ward's dad and mom still live in the area that would be completely renovated. They aren't about to give up their home without a fight. Dan McNulty is true to his Catholicism and traditional values while the son has more in common with the young man who took and wasted his father's inheritance in the story of the "prodigal son".
The elder McNulty has something that helps him "see" into the true motives and character of others. His special gift is a spiritual insight. Not too many people know about it. His parish priest does and some of his closer friends suspect he has some kind of fine-tuned ability to read people, but they don't really know what it is. Dan McNulty is also a recovered alcoholic and he's carefully worked the steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. The combination of his special spiritual insight (resulting from a combat war experience) and his true care for the welfare of others makes him a strong protagonist in the story.
There's danger when money, power, sex, drugs and corruption mix. The plot weaves these variables into a tight and tingling storyline. There's redemption ahead - but also loss. Webster writes with deep care for his characters and paints them as real humans, faults and all. But he has a message in the story that is positive without being preachy.
IN-SIGHT was released in 2009 and has earned recognition as the 2nd place winner from the Creative Arts Council 2009 book awards.
This book is available at the Living the Solution Amazon.com store.
Author · Gerard D. Webster
Publisher - Outskirts Press
www.OutskirtsPress.com
Review by Tom Gilbert · © May, 2010
Any well written action thriller has fully developed characters, plot twists and some unusual event as the hook to the story. Such is the case with the fine debut by Gerard Webster. IN-SIGHT revolves primarily around Ward McNulty, a syndicated columnist who seems to have what he wants in life - fame, a beautiful woman and some powerful friends. He lives to please himself, but as the story unfolds he discovers he is caught up in something frightening. There's corruption, drugs, alcoholism, egotism and people hurting from the lack of meaning in their life.
A legal battle over the potential development of a middle-class residential area into a high-rolling resort destination has many in Jacksonville, Florida choosing sides. For Ward McNulty the kicker is he and his father are on opposite ends of this fight. Ward is in favor of the idea and he uses his column to promote it. His girlfriend, anchor of a local TV station news show, is also drumming up public support. But Ward's dad and mom still live in the area that would be completely renovated. They aren't about to give up their home without a fight. Dan McNulty is true to his Catholicism and traditional values while the son has more in common with the young man who took and wasted his father's inheritance in the story of the "prodigal son".
The elder McNulty has something that helps him "see" into the true motives and character of others. His special gift is a spiritual insight. Not too many people know about it. His parish priest does and some of his closer friends suspect he has some kind of fine-tuned ability to read people, but they don't really know what it is. Dan McNulty is also a recovered alcoholic and he's carefully worked the steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. The combination of his special spiritual insight (resulting from a combat war experience) and his true care for the welfare of others makes him a strong protagonist in the story.
There's danger when money, power, sex, drugs and corruption mix. The plot weaves these variables into a tight and tingling storyline. There's redemption ahead - but also loss. Webster writes with deep care for his characters and paints them as real humans, faults and all. But he has a message in the story that is positive without being preachy.
IN-SIGHT was released in 2009 and has earned recognition as the 2nd place winner from the Creative Arts Council 2009 book awards.
This book is available at the Living the Solution Amazon.com store.
Posted by Tom Gilbert at 12/23/2011 1:33 PM 
Categories: Reflections:Book Reflections
Tags: Gerald Webster Insight Christian book review
Categories: Reflections:Book Reflections
Tags: Gerald Webster Insight Christian book review
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