“Hatred is blind, rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.” Alexandre Dumas wrote those words from “The Count of Monte Cristo” in 1844. After 175 years, David R. Dow explores the inevitable debt from pursuing vengeance in his modern day take on the Dumas classic in “Confessions of an Innocent Man”.

Rafael Zhettah is living the life of his dreams as the celebrated owner of an immensely successful restaurant in Houston, Texas. When he marries the love of his life, billionaire philanthropist, Tieresse, they embark on their endless fairy tale lives together. It only takes a moment for the fairy tale to turn into an endless nightmare with no escape when Rafael is convicted of her murder and becomes the newest resident of death row. In a last-minute twist of fate, Rafael is exonerated, but the love that once filled his heart has been replaced by an insatiable thirst for vengeance.

Author David R. Dow sets the hook in the first pages with a cryptic scene of a jailer meeting with his prisoners. Who is the jailer? Who are the prisoners? What was their crime? The dark, mysterious tone of the first chapter shades the entire narrative perfectly and sets the stage for the depths of darkness to follow. Dow’s wonderfully immersive and evocative writing style is as transportive as it is emotionally gripping, and his use of tension throughout the trial scenes and the scenes on death row is perfect. While not dripping with originally (I recognized the parallels with Dumas very early) his interpretation of these classic themes is as chilling as it is thought-provoking.

One of the strongest elements is the characterization of Rafael Zhettah and his wife, Tieresse. Both are dynamic, multi-dimensional characters; genuinely good people with strong desires to help others, yet we get brief glimpses into the moral flexibility of both. The contrast of dark and light within these two perfectly developed characters reveal them as kindred spirits and illustrate the quick bond formed between the two. The themes of the dark and light sides of human nature are used once again to illustrate the characteristics of Rafael’s friends on death row, ironically some of the best friends he has in his life are murderers waiting for execution. The contradictions between their authentic and benevolent affection for Rafael and the crimes bringing them to death row are jarring in the extreme and successfully craft truly memorable characters.

The inherent paradox of the title, “Confessions of an Innocent Man”, reverberates dramatically through the entire narrative and raises the question time and again regarding the nature of innocence. Rafael is innocent of the crime of murder, but is he innocent of complicity in her death? Did his actions directly lead to her death? He wrestles with the question himself and must find a way to deal with his guilt. Finally, what happens to him in prison that the once easy-going restaurateur is even capable of the revenge plot he devises? I asked myself time and again, is it possible for a victim to get his revenge. On the spectrum from villain to victim, once a victim become capable of delivering vengeance upon his tormentors, does he not automatically cease to be a victim and in turn become the tormentor. The debate has raged for centuries and will certainly not be answered in this forum. Nonetheless, the narrative flow continually echoes these questions.

The use of vivid and evocative descriptions is a key to the success of this novel. Several of the settings used are places never seen by the average person (capital murder trial and death row), but the descriptions used to capture the details of these settings are spectacular. The panic and heartbreak experienced by Rafael while sitting on trial for murdering the love of his life are emotionally impactful and poignantly rendered. The emotional isolation and terror of sitting on death row waiting for execution are breathtaking in the effectiveness.

The narrative is told from the 1st person point-of-view, entirely from Rafael’s perspective. The POV choice delivers an amazingly intimate vantage point from which to experience exactly the emotional roller-coaster Rafael is trapped on. The intimacy created with the protagonist allows for a heartrending final denouement that provides the perfect conclusion to an extremely dramatic journey.

“Confession of an Innocent Man” is a breathtaking exploration of a man wrongfully convicted of murdering the love of his life. Author David R. Dow has pulled out all the stops to deliver an unforgettable journey with a terrific protagonist. Artfully rendered in beautiful and chilling imagery, this novel will stay with you long after you finish. Author David R. Dow has succeeded is crafting an emotional powerhouse, and my hat goes off to him.

I have to say, I was very surprised by this book. From the first word to the last, I wanted to see what happened to Rafael and I felt like I was living his life with him along the way.

Confessions of an Innocent Man is written in a very unique way, very different from any other book that I have ever read, as it is written in first person. You feel like you are looking at, hearing, smelling and experiencing everything that Rafael is looking at, hearing, smelling and experiencing, making it genuinely a very immersful experience.

I have never been arrested, or been to jail. I understand now how someone feels being arrested for something that they didn't do and then going to jail for that very crime. Trying to tell everyone that you are innocent, yet no one but your lawyer believing you. Now let's take that even a step further, being sentence to death, for something that you did not do and are innocent. The authorities didn't have a motive, you had an alibi, and you had witnesses testifying that you could never have done what you were accused of doing, yet you were still sentenced to death.

I know that our legal system is flawed and needs some improvements, but what ever happened to that saying, "you are innocent until proven guilty!" In this book, the flawed legal system didn't prove that he was guilty, what they did prove is that if the color of your skin is different or you aren't as well off as some, they don't really treat you the way that you should be treated. Throughout the book, it touches on this topic again and again.

All and all I would say that this was a book definitely worth reading. It opened my eyes to another form or literature that I haven't read in a very long time and I was mesmerized by the words on the page. Well done Mr. Dow, thanks for providing a book done in a way that was enjoyable to read and you took me back to a place that I know so very well, Texas. I lived in Texas for over 14 years and the places mentioned in the book were well known to me. While I don't miss Texas, it was nice to go back for a short time!

Confessions of an Innocent Man was detail-rich and fast-paced. The introduction brought to mind the movie The Fugitive, in which a successful man is arrested for the murder of his wife. Like Richard Kimball, Rafael Zhettah, was innocent but unlike Dr. Kimball, he never had a chance to escape and clear his name. Instead, he narrates his trial and subsequent appeals followed by his years on Death Row. It is not spoiling the story to tell you that ultimately he is released, and from that point he recounts his attempt to achieve revenge or justice, depending on your point of view.
Now I love the satisfaction of a good revenge story. Show me the sanctimonious getting their comeuppance, and I am a happy reader. On the other hand, I am equally intrigued by stories that illustrate that life is not quite so black and white, and that maybe we should rethink our assumptions. “Confessions” falls into the second camp which means it is more of a thinking man’s story, but for the same reason it lost the power that wreaking vengeance would have given it.
By far the most interesting part of the book was the middle third when he was enduring prison life on Death Row. The men he met there were complex with fascinating stories of their own to tell. After Zhettah’s release from prison, he sets about creating a scheme that could only be possible to a man of unlimited means. I much prefer reading about a plan that succeeds through ingenuity rather than due to an abundance of cash. I will not give away the ending, but I will say that my disappointment with it certainly colored my overall review of the book.
I believe this was the author’s first novel. With his writing skills, I think he can do better next time.

This is the story of a man wrongfully accused of his wife’s murder. He spends six years on death row and then Is freed. Now he wants justice. This is a powerful debut novel. The book could use more editing but the story is awesome. I was captivated from page one.
Many thanks to Penguin Group Dutton and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

While I wouldn't necessarily classify this one as a thriller, it certainly grabbed hold and held me in its clutches. I'll admit that I was a bit confused about the shape of the story when I started, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. We've all heard the stories about a person serving years on death row or even being executed when new evidence is found to refute their guilt. Confessions of an Innocent Man takes that a step further - okay, maybe a mile further with a revenge plot that is nothing short of meticulous in its detail. But first, we get Rafael's story, what brought him to death row and the revenge he so desperately needed. Now, here's where my earlier mentioned confusion came in. Rafael is an interesting character, but I kept wondering where it was all going. Nevertheless, even if I had never gotten to what I thought was coming from reading the blurb, I still enjoyed Rafael's story, his early days with the love of his life, his anguish over losing her, his bitter fury when he's found guilty, and finally, his coming to grips with his circumstances as he tries to figure out the world of death row for an inmate. In the end, I felt like the point to this story, the place it was all leading up to, was the man Rafael became after his release and how he decided to exact his revenge. Of course, the recipients of that revenge also make for some intriguing food for thought. The writing is compelling and the pacing is steady for most of the book. The story does lag somewhat in the second half, which is the only real criticism from me. So, while I didn't find the thriller I was looking for, I did find suspense and a gripping story. An excellent debut from David R Dow, and one that has put him on my radar.

The novel is one of the most compelling books I've read. It is a strong indictment of both capital punishment and the Judicial system involved in the sentencing of people to death as the price of their murdering other human beings. Raphael Zheltah has recently opened a restaurant in Houston,Texas which seems to be catching on and attracting more and more customers. He is unattached and really not looking for any permanent relationship when a lady enters the restaurant and the two meet and connect. There is a difference to Tieresse, as the lady is named, as she happens to be a billionaire and a very active business woman. She is also several years older than Raphael. In spite of their differences the two hit it off and are married. While Raphael is content with the things he has he finds that he can live with his wife and her busy position in life.
Unfortunately in a night away from his work and while making love to one of his employees Raphael is confronted with the news that his wife has been killed in a breaking and entering into their home. His feelings of guilt about not being there to help Tieresse not withstanding he becomes the prime suspect in her murder and is shortly charged in her killing.
Mr Dow is an attorney that has become very involved with a group that is opposed to capital punishment and have helped condemned prisoners with appeals and petitions. He is thus able to aptly describe Raphael's trial, the seeming distance Judges and court officials take with regard to dealing with people's life or death. The descriptions of the trial and sentencing Raphael to death are not pleasant things to go through especially with the author's indication of his innocence in the crime he is accused of.
Sent to death row to await his execution Raphael is treated as the lowest and most dangerous form of life. He must go about with handcuffs and chains, he is viewed constantly, his meals are given to him through the bars of his cell and his spirit is broken as the appeals process winds down with no reprieve. But there is more to the story when something happens almost at the last moment to free him.
The last half of the book is dedicated to Raphael's quest for revenge against those that insured that he would not be found innocent and in his eyes insured that he was sentenced to death. The book is of course, impossible to put down but is also very much an emotional experience with mental pictures of what has transpired continuing to remain for quite some time with the reader.

Give me a debut novel where the author takes his own life work and translates this into a work of fiction. Just give me. There are SO many loopholes that can be found in the justice system and unfortunately we have seen throughout the decades of the wrongfully accused - some even sent to death.

This story is about Rafael who is convicted and sentenced to die for the murder of his wife. Put on death row, six years of his life goes by and when he finally does get his freedom, it's time to make those who put him behind bars pay.

The writing took a little getting used to for me. At first it felt like when you watch a movie and it's just the narrator speaking and also doing the voice parts - do you know what I mean? I think it felt that way because the dialogue wasn't in quotes and that was starting to drive me bonkers - especially as sometimes these moments were in italics and sometimes they were not. But that could just be an ARC issue. I did end up getting used to this because the story line just greatly intrigued me.

The author gives you Raf's life from when he met his wife, their short marriage, his experience through trial and on death row. I felt like I was right there with him and uff, boy did my heart go out to him. When he gets out and puts a plan in motion - well, DAAAAMMMNNNN. Is this justice? Is there ever such a thing as justice or does it just become a vicious circle of injustice? I forget exactly what Tieresse (Raf's wife) said in the book regarding this and I wish I had made note but it made sense to me when I read it. Either way, the subject matter of capital punishment and all the injustices that come about is extremely well done by the author who is experienced in this subject matter.

If you can get past the writing style a little bit, I think you'll absolutely enjoy this journey. Although it's a work of fiction, the truth behind it certainly gives you something to think about.

A Love Affair Leads to Death Row

Rafael Zhettah thought he had it made. He was the owner and head chef of a Houston Restaurant that was getting good reviews, and he was married to the woman of his dreams. Although older, Tieresse was his soul mate.

Then the unbelievable happens. Tieresse is murdered in their home and Rafael’s prints are on the murder weapon. He protests his innocence, but the jury doesn’t believe him, and he ends up on death row. This is the story of that experience and Rafael’s revenge.

This is a gripping thriller with plenty of action. It also tells the story of how death row inmates are treated. It’s not a pretty story. The characters from guards to inmates are well drawn, but it’s hard to read about what happened to Rafael, an innocent man.

David Dow, the author, has been an activist in the fight against capital punishment. He uses this book to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in Texas. Besides being a thriller, the book encourages you to think about the issues of punishment and the extent to which the legal system itself perpetuates injustice.

I recommend this book. It’s worth reading for the plot, but it will also make you think.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

Because of the prologue, I knew what was coming, but had no idea how it would get there. This started like a mystery, but it was really a philosophical look at what jail and especially wrongful conviction might do to someone. Everyone -- except for a few prison guards -- had some kind of back story that might have mitigated what they did. The ending never could have been good, but it was probably a bit too convenient. Will recommend.