The Dark Journal of Freddie Dawson

This was a interesting concept for what I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of the story. I do think the title could have been something else but it worked. I enjoyed the idea of this story and that the historical feel was everything that I was looking for. Kevin Van Den Berg does a interesting job in writing this and can’t wait to read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kevin Van Den Berg for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy (ARC). This will be available for purchase on July 9th.

During the entire story I kept waiting to see excerpts from the Journal of Freddie Dawson. However, this journal does not even exist or become relevant to the story until the last third of the book. But when it shows up it becomes a pivotal moment and crucial to the story, especially for Thomas and Rosemary, the main characters.

Thomas is a product of extremely unfortunate circumstances who grows up to surround himself with the wrong people which leads him to find his personal salvation, friendship, family and love. Rosemary is an innocent young woman with a crush on Charlie that finds herself thrust into the midst of a violent situation that will change her life forever. Charlie will suffer from the sins of his father and will set off an investigation that will eventually intertwine all the characters in a shocking plot twist of narration that all leads to the contents of Freddie Dawson's journal.

A shunned boy will become a hero and a loved man. An innocent flower will find strength and self-worth. A young life will end tragically. Pigs will always remain animals whether in animal or human form.