Saving Thomas

Saving Thomas
by Scott Kauffman

Description
Following the loss of his wife and child, Jeremy Michaels buries himself in his job reporting on the seedy and shady underbelly of 1970’s Portland, Oregon, until a Buckingham Palace announcement shatters his cocoon. Thomas Thoreaux, the village hermit whom his boyhood testimony sent to prison, is to be knighted for classified services in World War II but has refused the honor and title. Jeremy’s editor sends him back to his hometown in Ohio to unravel the mystery of the man he’s never forgiven himself for betraying. But when a rival reporter reveals Thoreaux worked inside the French Resistance, Jeremy teams up with her on a trip to France for his chance at redemption, and to uncover just why Thoreaux said no to knighthood.

Can the power of forgiveness heal even the deepest of wounds? Written with wit and wonder, SAVING THOMAS weaves history with mystery and is an exciting new novel not to be missed.

Saving Thomas is a good read.. I received it as an arc to review. .In the book, there is Jeremy Michaels a reporter, and there is Thomas Thoreaux the village hermit. There is plenty of history and mystery. Humor is found as well. Such a good book Scot Kaufman has weaved. I would definitely set aside plenty of time to read Saving Thomas.

This is a mystery set in the 1970's with ties back to WWII. The main character is a reporter who is working to uncover why an old man he testified against and sent to prison, is set to be knighted, but is refusing the title. The book is also a bit of a thriller as the main character races to unravel the mystery of why the old man is refusing knighthood. I found the story to lag a little bit at times, but overall it kept me engaged.

I enjoyed this book as it never left you hanging. Each page gave information that added to the build up of the book. The book centers on Jeremy who has lost his wife and unborn child. He is a newspaper reporter and makes it his mission to defend the underdog. His boss and his career take him on diversified challenges. The book is filled with action and at the same time the characters become real. Scott Kauffman describes things so vividly you think you are there.

The Review

The balance and engagement the author made with the reader throughout this novel were incredible. The attention to realism when it came to the memories and events of the war and the psychological and emotional impact it left on characters was so eloquently crafted, as was the cruelty and vicious nature of war in general. The imagery played a heavy hand in these scenes, as did the contrast between that dark past and the struggles of the more modern age.

The characters were the true heart of this narrative. The emotional struggles within protagonist Jeremy were so painful yet honest to approach, as his struggles with his wife’s loss mixed with his need to find the truth and the conflict over his childhood events. Thomas’s vision and POV really honed in on the war narrative, and the toll it takes on a person when confronted with that haunting past. Yet it was how these characters found one another, came together, and both the strengths each had and the pitfalls they found as time went on that made this narrative so engrossing.

The Verdict

Haunting, brilliantly written, and entertaining in its delivery, author Scott Kauffman’s “Saving Thomas” is a must-read novel of 2022 for fans of historical mysteries. The layered path readers had to take to uncover the mystery was well-paced and did a great job of balancing the history with the mystery itself.

Cleverly capturing two different eras, and presenting the protagonist as he is and as he was, this book offers a decent mystery as well as strong exploration of relationships. I found the pace a bit up and down but ultimately enjoyed the story and it’s eventual resolution. It highlighted the truth that humans are complex and there are always many truths to the same circumstances.

I couldn't get into this book. The style of writing was so disjointed that i couldn't follow it. Disappointed as i was interested in the story. I persevered for more than half, but gave up in the end. Thanks to the publisher for my ARC.

Saving Thomas
by Scott Kauffman

Expected Publication Date: 22 Feb 2022

Synopsis:
"Following the loss of his wife and child, Jeremy Michaels buries himself in his job reporting on the seedy and shady underbelly of 1970’s Portland, Oregon, until a Buckingham Palace announcement shatters his cocoon. Thomas Thoreaux, the village hermit whom his boyhood testimony sent to prison, is to be knighted for classified services in World War II, but has refused the honor and title. Jeremy’s editor sends him back to his hometown in Ohio to unravel the mystery of the man he’s never forgiven himself for betraying. But when a rival reporter reveals Thoreaux worked inside the French Resistance, Jeremy teams up with her on a trip to France for his chance at redemption, and to uncover just why Thoreaux said no to knighthood."

Review:
I got through this book but it was a chore. The author lost me halfway through. Too many characters, in too many places, with too many aliases. The description for the book says it was "written with wit and wonder" - I found neither.

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.