Book Review: The Hoard by Neil Grimmett

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Book: The Hoard

Author: Neil Grimmett

No. of Pages: 378

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Grimpen Publications 

 

As with the earlier one by Grimmett, this one is not easy to review.

The book has a central plot and its pretty interesting with some good amount of suspense and twists ... BUT ... his book is not just about the plot. It is about the varied emotions and feelings of the different characters in the story.

Grimmett pays a lot of attention to character development and what goes on inside the head and heart rather than narrate a series of events forming a story. Yes, that makes his book slow ... but it is an entirely different quality and I must say, that I have enjoyed both his books.

In this particular book, the story revolves around a FACTORY where explosives are manufactured - A place where RDX is manufactured.

We have often talked about explosives when we hear about war or acts of terrorism but have we ever given thought to the place where they are manufactured.

Did we ever think that the manufacturing of those explosives and destructive elements must be a dangerous activity and the lives of those who are involved are under constant threat?

Have we ever thought about the living and working conditions of those involved?

And did we ever wonder what would be the impact of all those dangerous chemicals on those people and their lives? How did their families / spouses feel about it?  

The Hoard brings to light these realities. The people involved in the manufacturing of explosives are people after all and they are not evil. They are just doing their job, earning a living. Suffering the vagaries of the dangerous manufacturing conditions. And of course, there are workplace politics and some bad guys who will blow it up for all … for their own personal benefit.

This story is actually inspired by a massive explosion that killed six men at the real-world ROF Bridgwater facility in 1951 - no cause was ever found. The Hoard is a gripping, grim novel that offers a glimpse into a self-contained apocalyptic landscape scarred both by the birthing of the materiel that fuels war, and the hearts of evil men who would do anything for greed.

 

Ratings on Book Review Parameters:

Cover Design: 3.0 / 5

Writing Style: 3.5 / 5

Characters:     3.5 / 5

Story / Plot:     3.0 / 5

Climax:            3.5 / 5

Overall:           3.5 / 5