The Poe Predicament


Fiction - Mystery - Historical
264 Pages
Reviewed on 08/17/2022
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Poe Predicament is a historical fiction mystery thriller by Phil Thomas. Recently divorced former college professor Richard Langley's life turns upside down when he gets his hands on an old copy of Tamerlane and Other Poems signed by Edgar Allen Poe himself. Soon, Richard finds himself transported to 19th-century New York City where he meets Eddie, an aspiring writer, with whom he becomes fast friends. Struggling to acclimatize to his new environment, Richard's circumstances take a turn for the worse when Eddie is mistakenly arrested on charges of murder. Eager to help Eddie find his freedom, Richard and a mysterious woman named Alice must risk their own lives while a sadistic killer is drunk on blood lust. Can Richard maintain the course of history and find his way back home?

Author Phil Thomas incorporates real-life historical personalities in this captivating murder mystery that keeps surprising the reader with its unexpected twists and turns. The Poe Predicament follows Richard, who must navigate the extraordinary circumstances of the past he finds himself in and then find his way back to the present. There is a supernatural/fantasy element infused into the story that makes the narrative all the more immersive to read. Richard is a complex protagonist with inner conflicts and motives that are often at odds with each other, adding to his inner dilemma. His friendship with Eddie feels genuine and was one of the highlights of the book for me. If you enjoy historical fiction or murder mysteries, you'll love The Poe Predicament.