Book Review: Turn of the Karmic Wheel by Monica Brinkman

Turn of the Karmic Wheel by Monica Brinkman

Publisher: All Things That Matter Press

Publish Date: August 13, 2010

204 pages
Fiction, Suspense, Supernatural

My Review:
Why I read this: It sounded interesting when I received information about the tour with Pump Up Your Book so I signed on.

How is the novel driven: Primarily character-driven because really this book is all about character.

My thoughts: I don't know exactly what I thought I was going to read when I picked up Turn of the Karmic Wheel, but after the first few page I went back and read the description and realized that I didn't quite get the premise of the book until I started reading.  I don't mean that as a criticism at all, because I think I liked this book better than what I thought it would be.  I know that is confusing.  Let me elaborate.  I thought this book was a cozy feel-good novel about Karma and character.  Trust me it's not.  It's much more than that - it has a line of suspense, a touch of horror, and a lot of supernatural that makes the book tick.  It's very interesting from the beginning.  You have good characters and bad characters.  They are fleshed out as the book goes.  And the bad characters really have horrible character.  They are pretty much selfish, uncaring people.  Then this group of characters from all over  Raleigh, Missouri begin to hear voices, some hear good ones, other hear scary things.  It's a great supernatural thriller.

I found it hard to put down and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's an intriguing storyline that revolves around character and how it affects life and others.  It has a great message to not hurt others.  The supernatural being was vague so don't think you are looking at a Christian book.  I truly think the supernatural on the good side in this book can be interpreted over many religions and the message is one for all of us - do good in life, don't hurt others and take care of each other.  Hurting others can lead to bad consequences.

I loved the book and think Ms. Brinkman did a great job developing the characters and the plot, I truly enjoyed getting to know Angela, Euclid and Karman.  There are a few typos in the book, but they are easily overlooked with a good story.  Want to try out a new author who's not with one of the major presses?  If so I suggest you give Ms. Brinkman a try - her book is fascinating and it's the first one in a series.  I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment, The Wheel's Final Turn.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:

"What goes around, comes around." Truer words were never spoken, as evidenced by the complex interactions and fates of the characters in "The Turn of The Karmic Wheel." When the residents of Raleigh begin to hear music and voices that aren't "there", and to receive frightening messages from no discernable source, it soon becomes apparent that changes must - and will - be made: to their everyday lives, to their relationships, to their bodies, and, most importantly, to their souls.

About the Author:
Check out my tour post for more information about the author and for an excerpt from the book.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.