Title: On the Chin of a Giant
Author: Carmela Orsini Harmon
Publisher: Carmela Orsini Harmon
ISBN: 979-8993283302
Pages: 604
Genre: Mystery / Thriller & Suspense
Reviewer: Nicholas Grant
Hollywood Book Reviews
For many people around the world, one thing that proves true time and time again is there are certain people who are just meant to be in their lives. For how long or how involved those people become intertwined in a person’s life is determined by each individual person, but more often than not, people come into one another’s lives when they least expect it, and even if the reason isn’t immediately obvious, there is a reason for it which leaves a lasting impact on that person’s life.
Determining what that reason is drives the cast of characters in author Carmela Orsini Harmon’s On the Chin of a Giant. The novel follows a young man named Tom, who, after graduating, takes his younger brother with him to establish a new home in Savannah. When a new friend who owns a riverboat convinces Tom to settle in the area and go on adventures together, Tom suddenly finds himself drawn to a young woman named Mandria Lucas, who happens to be the daughter of the man who will become Tom’s nemesis. As she herself seeks her own path after discovering her father’s infidelity, she stumbles after meeting Tom and finds herself drawn to him more and more.
This is a compelling blend of historical fiction and mystery romance storytelling. The author immediately sets the tone for the setting and time period by delving into the protagonist’s early childhood experiences that shaped who he would become and the identity he would struggle with in life. The descriptive writing and powerful imagery in the author’s work felt completely immersive, and the balance the author found between action and suspenseful storytelling, heated historical romance, and haunting family drama make the novel feel well-balanced. The lengthy read added to the immersive experience, as the character-driven narrative felt epic in nature and began peeling back the layers of Tom’s psyche and mindset as the world began to move around him.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction novels, especially those that utilize elements of mystery and suspense, as well as romance, will be thoroughly enthralled by this narrative. The world-building and depth of character development at work in this novel is elevated by a powerful theme of generational violence and what happens when children exposed to violence and negative relationships grow up and face the possibilities of becoming that which they fear most. The author delivers realistic, powerful storytelling that captures the era and keeps readers on the edge of their seats as these themes come to life in explosive ways, while also adding shocking twists and turns that will raise readers’ adrenaline.