“Toward the Light” by Bonar Spring is the tale of an uncommon hired gun. Maria Luz Concepción is returning to Guatemala, her childhood home, but she is there to do more than scatter her mother’s ashes; she is there to kill a man.
Readers find that Concepción is an assassin but also a paradox in both personality and behavior. She is going to kill her target with a smile on her face, and yet she bargains with God for her safety. She is ruthless, a professional trained to kill, and at the same time just an amateur with a personal vendetta.
The story details everyday events and normal people but in reality, things are far from ordinary. At the start, the pace is slow and deliberate, setting up the personalities and the everyday situations. Readers become familiar with the neighborhoods and markets in Guatemala City, but behind it all is Concepción, arranging things, setting things, preparing for her personal crusade. Then, when all is in place, the action is fast and frantic with a surprising twist.
“Toward the Light” is an action thriller with international intrigue with varied and complex characters, but it is also a personal story. There is a hint of romance, but focus is Concepción and her journey. I received a review copy of “Toward the Light” from Bonar Spring and Oceanview Publishing. It is a quest for personal justice with a startling ending.

I asked for a copy of this book as the premise sounded interesting, but not sure what to expect, however I have to say I certainly wasn't disappointed. This book sucked me in from the start and I barely looked up until I finished it.

We have Luz returning to Guatemala to avenge her father's death. With the help of CIA agent Richard she gets a job in the household of the man who murdered her father, a man who happens to be the former President and now runs a huge drug network. Helping Luz on the ground is Evan, an expat artist who is her go-between with Richard. As Luz moves towards her goal, she starts to find things out that will shock her to the core, and push her into things she did not expect when she started out.

I really don't want to give too much away, but this book is one hell of a ride. Just when you think you've got things sorted, something else pops up to change your perspective. I literally couldn't put this book down I was so absorbed. Realistic characters for the main part and a plot that seemed feasible. Yes, this book had it's flaws, the ending was probably not so realistic, however in this case I'm more than prepared to overlook that for the entertainment I got out of it, and I would happily read anything this author writes. Recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Toward the Light was tedious.

Luz Concepcion arrives in Guatemala to kill the former President of the country—Martin Benavides—the man who murdered her father. Benavides is also involved in helping drug cartels distribute their drugs in the United States, which is the reason Luz is sent on this mission by a US government official, Richard Clement, a man she has known for the past seventeen years. Her plan is to get a job as a nanny to Benavides's grandson, thus helping her gain access to his highly secure house. While in Guatemala, her communication channel to Richard is established via Evan McManus, a painter. Evan realizes that he can't get Luz out of his mind because he desperately wants her to be his muse. And so begins a long and boring thriller that is anything but.

Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the damsel in distress trope (uh, okay, I am kidding. I get really annoyed at the implication that a woman needs a man to solve her problems), but when the summary of the book starts with—"Luz Concepcion returns to Guatemala to murder Martin Benavides, the man who destroyed her family."—there is no way I'm going to tolerate her being categorized as a damsel. Maybe it was my fault for not having read the entire synopsis before requesting this book because another line, toward the end, talks about her relationship with the male protagonist, Evan—"Luz initially spurns his advances, but her first terrifying encounter with Martin Benavides propels her into his arms."

Eek.

What drew me to this book was the concept of a female assassin exacting revenge by murdering one of the most powerful men in Guatemala. So I was understandably not prepared to read statements like—"An insubstantial, wispy wraith released from imprisonment as though by some magic incantation, reached from her center, hands outstretched, supplicating: Save me."

I mean, seriously?!

Bonnar Spring is a pretty good writer but the story itself is plodding until the end. The romance (I don't think you can even call it that) blossoming between Evan and Luz was forced, unnecessary and unconvincing. The big reveal at around 80% was definitely surprising but it didn't make up for the tiresome chapters that led up to it. It almost seemed like all the mystery and action that this book lacked in the first eighty percent was clumped together and dumped into the last twenty percent. I wouldn't recommend reading this one.

[I'd like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing and Bonnar Spring for this ARC. Expected Publication Date: 7 January 2020.]