Fascinating Authors

Book Review
by
Susan Haley

Threshold by Bonnie Kozek

Threshold is billed as a hard-boiled thriller. Using such descriptives as bawdy, unrelenting, shocking, and grips you by the throat and pulls you not just to the edge of darkness, but beyond! My first thought was, do I even want to read this book? I’m not a fan of throat-gripping horror that takes place in some dark and slimy chasm invaded by evil spirits and delusions. I pictured some pretty intense graphics with the purpose of shock value and I’m stressed enough in my work! Even the cover was rather ‘bawdy’. Yet, a commitment is a commitment; I opened the book with a tinge of trepidation.

Bonnie Kozek, with less than a page of prologue and an opening quote from Alexander’s Feast by John Dryden, a few powerful and well-written words, had ‘gripped’ me by the throat. Suddenly, I remembered that truths and reality, which I AM drawn to, are often full of horror. Horror exists all around us. Accepting these realizations and their ugly existence are often best understood when shrouded by the plot and characters of a fiction novel. Let’s face it, living life can be pretty graphic. And, ignoring it doesn’t solve problems. Ms. Kozek takes the reader into such a seedy world brilliantly, if graphically.

A world of such horror exists near every one of us, often within blocks, or but a few miles from our own lives. Some of us actually dwell there. Threshold takes us into an experience of surviving it, if you can. But, you’ll never forget it, and hopefully, you will learn from the journey.

Ms. Kozek is able to shine a small ray of light through the murkiest of ugliness as she quite eloquently depicts the gentleness and goodness found in a community of homeless people. She shows the utter despair and desperation of addicts whose only purpose is finding the next fix; doing anything they must to obtain it. She exposes the rich and powerful that trap and feed off of these lost souls. She bears witness to the shocking corruption prevalent in local law enforcement.

I would challenge anyone who is able to handle truth and the real world, pick up this powerful writer’s book, Threshold. For those who can’t, I can only hope you wake up, toss the rose-colored glasses, and remember the adage . . . “There, but for the grace, go I.”

Susan Haley, Author/Editor
RAINY DAY PEOPLE
FIBERS IN THE WEB

**Susan Haley is the published author of two books, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet. She is an independent contract copy editor and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego, and a columnist for “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, and serves as Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel RAINY DAY PEOPLE, was awarded in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters, and local papers. She has a third book, “Soul Songs” to be released later this year and is currently working on her second novel “The House is Burning”. Susan can be contacted at www.sucarha.com.