Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
Upon his mother's passing, Wolfgang Barnes, a movie producer of some substance, relocates from Portland to Florida to settle his late mother's estate. As he carries out this task, he contemplates how best to put his previous works to use and promptly comes up with an ingenious idea. Wolfgang does not realize it at the time, but his past is about to come back to haunt him in the form of Lenny Medway, an old associate with an axe to grind. Passion and vengeance are about to turn Wolfgang's run-of-the-mill life into a rollercoaster ride that he may not survive in Dave J. Andrae's Wolf in Wanderley.
In Wolf in Wanderley, Dave J. Andrae pulls readers in by constantly shifting the narrative between Wolfgang and Lenny. This dual perspective subtly encourages readers to track both of their journeys and motives, as they decide who the story's true protagonist really is. Both characters are given deep, well-rounded origin stories; perceptive readers get a window into Wolfgang's past through his flashbacks about his relationship with his deceased parents. Andrae then contrasts that with Lenny's internal reckonings over his own questionable life choices. The dialogue is street-level, casual, and packed with subtle humor, most noticeable during intimate moments between Wolfgang and his love interest. What stands out is how the attention to detail balances Lenny's calculated plans with Wolfgang's creative impulses. Readers will appreciate this unconventional approach to storytelling. I believe drama and action fans will enjoy this fascinating novel as much as I did.
