Weapons of Remorse by Chevron Ross

This book features justice and redemption. It’s hard to classify the type of book. Loosely, it could be called a crime story, but it’s much more. It’s a social commentary about the gun rights issue in the United States. Ross takes an interesting approach and argues in support of citizens taking responsibility for how guns are used in this country rather than legislating it and battling over the second amendment.

You’ll need to slog through the first thirty or so pages to get to the beginning of the story. But it’s worth it. Once the story starts, it moves fast, until the last two chapters. These chapters are written like an epilogue giving us what happens in the next few months. There’s an interesting mystery that runs through much of the book. The hard part about reviewing this book is that I don’t want to give away any of the story, yet it’s the stories inside the story that make the book compelling. Also, don’t get too attached to some of the better characters.

One thing I really liked was Ross’s portrayal of what killing someone does to a person. Too often, especially in fiction, we see no aftereffects when someone is forced to kill someone else. Even hardened war veterans can struggle with guilt and other emotional challenges when they have to take a human life. I also liked the portrayal of those on the radical sides of the gun issue, showing how ridiculous they are. There are usually solutions to social issues that can appease the majority and concede to both sides.

I struggled with a couple of the characters. I really didn’t like Shelley Phillips – the wife of war hero Hank Phillips. She came around eventually, but I found her to be extremely selfish. Another interesting point that I’m not sure was intentional by Ross, was how several Christian characters’ lives were less than joyful because of their misinterpretation of Biblical scripture. If you’re interested in what I mean, email me and I’ll explain. It’s not something I want to put into the review.

This book is well-written, though there are a few places of heavy narration that could have been broken up with more action. The characters are realistic and the situations are dramatic and will resonate with many readers. Regardless of the stance you have on gun rights, you’ll find this a worthwhile read.  The book is clean. No profanity. No sex. The violence is necessary for the story. Nothing gratuitous or over the top. I’ll rank this one number two so far this year.

1. The Last Exchange by Charles Martin
2. Weapons of Remorse by Chevron Ross
3. Relentless by Ed Gorman
4. After Her Deceit by Steve Rush
5. Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes
6. The Book of Answers by Darrow Woods
7. Neon Prey by John Sandford
8. Perfect Daughter by Ion Esimai

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