| Title: | Livia Lone | |
| Author: | Barry Eisler | |
| Published: | October 25, 2016, Thomas & Mercer | |
| Cover Price: | $24.95 Hardcover, $15.99 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle |
While most of us aren’t familiar with or have been exposed to human trafficking and child molestation first hand, they are prevalent enough in real life to warrant attention. In his thriller novel, Livia Lone, Barry Eisler, exposes what are most likely true scenarios of the victims, the perpetrators, and the politicians who keep these practices going strong. The story begins as Labee and her younger sister, Nason, who belong to one of the hill tribes on the outskirts of Bangkok, are sold by their parents to a human trafficking ring and brought to the US. While they are only 13 and 11, Labee is fiercely protective of Nason, and during the long and uncomfortable journey on a ship to the US, fights for her sister against the evil men who are in charge. After arriving in the US, Labee is drugged, and when she awakes, Nason is gone and she is on a different ship. She is adopted by a rich and powerful man, Fred Lone, and finding her lost sister becomes her primary goal in her life.
Eisler does an excellent job of making his characters come alive; both good and evil characters ring true. The subject matter of the book is very dark, and even though quite upsetting, the book is well-written and will hold any thriller aficionado’s attention to the very end. Labee, who is renamed Livia by Fred Lone’s wife, is a strong character – a fighter, and doesn’t give up no matter what. She is so resentful of the abuse she has suffered at the hands of first the human traffickers, and then her so-called “rescuer,” Fred Lone, that she is out to punish as many rapists and molesters as she can, especially those who have gotten off through the system and haven’t received sentences that fit their crimes. She will stop at nothing to find her sister and avenge her suffering. She learns martial arts, becomes educated with straight A’s, and finally joins a police force working in the Sex Crimes division. She has no problem taking matters in her own hands and murdering those who haven’t been punished.
Livia Lone isn’t a book for everyone. While there is plenty of suspense, dangerous scenarios, and what seems like facts on the issues, there is also much more graphic sex, profanity, and violence than are found in most mainstream thrillers by bestselling authors. It does, however, bring attention to the evil that goes on under our noses, especially where politicians ignore the issues for political gain.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this novel.
This book may be purchased at Amazon:
Livia Lone
