A Detoured Life


Fiction - General
492 Pages
Reviewed on 07/10/2014
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

A Detoured Life by author Bethany Mackin Baxter made me tearful by the time I finished reading. It tells the very poignant story of George Fisher, a former millionaire who blames himself for the tragic accident which killed his family. He gets parole and becomes a chauffeur to hotelier Trey Treadway, a brutal man who hires convicts he can blackmail. Trey’s son, Josh, comes to live with him and is physically abused. George finds himself becoming a protector and substitute father. The abuse increases and George leaves with Josh, which makes Trey vengeful. George gets another job, which suddenly unravels his past as former friends recognise him. Does he want them back in his life? How can he keep Josh from finding out his true identity? George’s friends are filled with remorseful conflicts as they try to bring closure to the accident that changed his life forever.

I am impressed with A Detoured Life. This is a very intense drama as most of the characters have emotional tales which I found heart-breaking at times. Bethany Mackin Baxter created an intriguing cast that came from a wide cross-section of society, including prison. She writes expertly, showing the harsh realities of what some ex-convicts face when released from prison. The snobbery and ignorance of a few people were amusingly displayed, too. “Everyone deserves a second chance” and “Never judge a book by its cover” are what I believe the author nicely conveyed throughout her very touching and inspiring novel.