★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid middle piece to the series…can't wait to read the final installment
April 5, 2017 by E. Ong
Strong expectations following the first installment of this series. Story telling and context is as good as the first. The character development is quite good in this novel, and probably the best of what this book offers. Quite creative having the second novel from another perspective of one of the three main characters. As other reviewer mentioned, while the pace of the book is steady, the action is limited. It's definitely a set up piece to the next book. Can't wait to see what comes next. In the era of binging I'll appreciate the anticipation of last installment of this trilogy.
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
Truths we are unwilling to face
September 9, 2016 by Frank Gonzalez
Yes, I agree with all the previous reviews. The pace of this book is much better than that of its predecessor, and the plot development keeps more reader interest. But this book cannot stand alone without knowing the plot of the first book of the trilogy, "Shattered Triangle." The author continues to weave a web of current historical occurrences into a contemporary framework that will cause the reader to rethink political beliefs and life values. In this reader's opinion, much of what has been exposed (as part of the plot) has been proved true. It was somewhat hidden, but, I believe, already known in the backs of our minds. So to me it is an accurate reflection of the current state of our country, and of life in general. I am appreciative that the author does not try to espouse his own views of how to correct the system as part of the plot (that would require and immense undertaking that would probably not result in any better system than what is in place now).
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
In-depth description with vivid imagery, creating a spellbinding story…
December 20, 2015 by Caroline Van der Linden
In-depth descriptions with vivid imagery, creating a spellbinding story that keeps you guessing. I am looking forward to the next book.
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
Messenger has created a truly sociopathic, monster of a character
November 6, 2015 by Nicholas Santillan
Following the aftermath of the murders, election results, and sinister revelation in 2014's Shattered Triangle: A Consequential Murder, author William Messenger dives deeper into the psyche of his characters in book two of his trilogy, Beleaguered Truth. Each of his primary characters is beleaguered by their discoveries and actions from the first book—Giuseppe Lozano, in his self-imposed isolation, is now a U.S. Senator scheming his way up the political ladder; Giovanni Lozano, a Catholic priest whose struggle with the Seal of Confession is taking its physical and mental toll; and Tom Moran, who is piecing his life and career together after failing to apprehend the killer.
While the first novel was a traditional mystery novel as told from the detective's perspective, Truth is more of a political drama told from the senator's perspective with Machiavellian insights into Washington's political intrigue and events leading up to 9/11 and the Iraq War. Switching narrators is a smart move on Messenger's part as the first novel clearly established the Lozanos and Moran as having deeply interconnected lives. The narrative deftly weaves real life into these characters, from Giuseppe's encounters with Dick Cheney and Senator Byrd to Giovanni's involvement in the Los Angeles religious community (complete with fictional counterparts to real life people) and Tom's recruitment with a counter terrorism task force.
At times, the novel can be a little preachy, especially when it comes to discussing the justification for waging war on Iraq—Giuseppe discusses with his confidante and Giovanni debates with members of his religious circle—but, Messenger is well versed in the topic and it is smartly written.
Similar to the previous novel, Messenger gets caught up in many tiny details. Although it's easy to skim over, it is in these meticulous details where Giuseppe's villainy shines. Messenger has created a truly sociopathic, monster of a character, whose narration is completely unreliable. Am I being manipulated? What is this guy really up to? Does he really want to pursue the presidency? Why? Does he really miss his family? And we are left to speculate in the dark along with the other characters about a new set of suspicious murders.
I'm looking forward to seeing the priest's perspective in Messenger's upcoming third novel.
Solid middle piece to the series…can't wait to read the final installment
April 5, 2017 by E. Ong
Strong expectations following the first installment of this series. Story telling and context is as good as the first. The character development is quite good in this novel, and probably the best of what this book offers. Quite creative having the second novel from another perspective of one of the three main characters. As other reviewer mentioned, while the pace of the book is steady, the action is limited. It's definitely a set up piece to the next book. Can't wait to see what comes next. In the era of binging I'll appreciate the anticipation of last installment of this trilogy.
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
Truths we are unwilling to face
September 9, 2016 by Frank Gonzalez
Yes, I agree with all the previous reviews. The pace of this book is much better than that of its predecessor, and the plot development keeps more reader interest. But this book cannot stand alone without knowing the plot of the first book of the trilogy, "Shattered Triangle." The author continues to weave a web of current historical occurrences into a contemporary framework that will cause the reader to rethink political beliefs and life values. In this reader's opinion, much of what has been exposed (as part of the plot) has been proved true. It was somewhat hidden, but, I believe, already known in the backs of our minds. So to me it is an accurate reflection of the current state of our country, and of life in general. I am appreciative that the author does not try to espouse his own views of how to correct the system as part of the plot (that would require and immense undertaking that would probably not result in any better system than what is in place now).
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
In-depth description with vivid imagery, creating a spellbinding story…
December 20, 2015 by Caroline Van der Linden
In-depth descriptions with vivid imagery, creating a spellbinding story that keeps you guessing. I am looking forward to the next book.
★★★★ 4.0 out of 5 stars
Messenger has created a truly sociopathic, monster of a character
November 6, 2015 by Nicholas Santillan
Following the aftermath of the murders, election results, and sinister revelation in 2014's Shattered Triangle: A Consequential Murder, author William Messenger dives deeper into the psyche of his characters in book two of his trilogy, Beleaguered Truth. Each of his primary characters is beleaguered by their discoveries and actions from the first book—Giuseppe Lozano, in his self-imposed isolation, is now a U.S. Senator scheming his way up the political ladder; Giovanni Lozano, a Catholic priest whose struggle with the Seal of Confession is taking its physical and mental toll; and Tom Moran, who is piecing his life and career together after failing to apprehend the killer.
While the first novel was a traditional mystery novel as told from the detective's perspective, Truth is more of a political drama told from the senator's perspective with Machiavellian insights into Washington's political intrigue and events leading up to 9/11 and the Iraq War. Switching narrators is a smart move on Messenger's part as the first novel clearly established the Lozanos and Moran as having deeply interconnected lives. The narrative deftly weaves real life into these characters, from Giuseppe's encounters with Dick Cheney and Senator Byrd to Giovanni's involvement in the Los Angeles religious community (complete with fictional counterparts to real life people) and Tom's recruitment with a counter terrorism task force.
At times, the novel can be a little preachy, especially when it comes to discussing the justification for waging war on Iraq—Giuseppe discusses with his confidante and Giovanni debates with members of his religious circle—but, Messenger is well versed in the topic and it is smartly written.
Similar to the previous novel, Messenger gets caught up in many tiny details. Although it's easy to skim over, it is in these meticulous details where Giuseppe's villainy shines. Messenger has created a truly sociopathic, monster of a character, whose narration is completely unreliable. Am I being manipulated? What is this guy really up to? Does he really want to pursue the presidency? Why? Does he really miss his family? And we are left to speculate in the dark along with the other characters about a new set of suspicious murders.
I'm looking forward to seeing the priest's perspective in Messenger's upcoming third novel.
PURCHASE NOW
