Shayla

Who is Shayla Hacker
Evan Kilgore

Reviewed by Barb Radmore

Diary of the Reviewer

Part One- The Hook
Have 2 books going but just casually glance into first couple of pages of Who is Shayla Hacker, the book which arrived in the mail unexpectedly yesterday. After the first couple pages the hook has been set, the other books get set aside. The fascinating plot premise evolves as 5 different people, in different parts of the country, for different reasons, become obsessed with a girl they have never met. A loner accidentally calls a number and gets her on the phone. A groom to be finds an old picture of her in the bottom of a trunk. A strong willed, female construction boss becomes taken with a box found in the walls of a building job. A brother does not show up at school to meet his sister. Each person sets off to find the girl they never met without any idea the direction or location they seek.

Part Two- The Plot
Up late into the night, not able to put the book down. The plot evolves into a complex system as the five characters set off to find this girl. Each comes from a different place, both physically and mentally. But each one is focused on the haunting image or voice that has driven them on a journey to locate Shayla Hacker. They each leave behind everything that has mattered up to this point in their lives, a fiancé, a job, a wife, a career.

Part Three- The
Headache. The plot becomes convoluted and contrived. The characters stay interesting, quirky and honest, but the convolutions of the plot loses my ability to follow it comfortably. I reread sections, wondering if I have missed basic information that would lead to some of the places the plot has gone.

Part Four- The Ending
The ending barrels into confusion. The plot stretches from the unbelievable to the absurd. I am breathless and confused by the ending. Not sure that is a bad thing though. My mind lingers over this as I close the book, set in on the shelf and walk away, sure that I will return to it if only to marvel over the final result of the characters' quests. The epilogue was an unfortunate way to summarize the effect of the quest on the characters. This might have been able to be explored without this literary artifice, the results were worth another chapter or two since the development of the characters is as much a focus of the book as the physical quest to find Shayla.

Part Five- The Future
Now I must work on the review, try to explore my mixed reaction. Probably will reread the entire thing. But late, need to walk away for a bit. Note to self- try to convince author to do an interview.

Final Thoughts
This book is well worth the energy to follow the characters on their quest to find the elusive Shayla Hacker. As a mix of mystery, thriller, sci fi and adventure, Evan Kilgore seems to be creating a new genre. With the tinges of paranormal so intertwined with characters that at first appeared commonplace, it takes concentration to decide if it the characters or the reader that has lost a sense of the normal and the real. Kilgore is able to elevate the mundane thriller into a work of thoughtful activity that forces the reader to examine it from all directions. The writing maintains the pace of the story without letting the suspense fade throughout. The well worn concept of the journey into the unknown to rescue the maiden is brought into the modern age with innate talent and creativity. This is an author whose writing progress will be interesting and, probably, noteworthy.

Note to readers- please read this book and let me know what you think! Would happily include further discussion on this page. Let the diary continue...

Author Web Site
Author My Space
Front Street Author Interview

And it does continue...
I did get Evan Kilgore to graciously agree to answer a lot of very random questions- he gives in depth answers to questions I was really curious about.
Here are others' impressions, reprinted with their permission:
"..Thus begins a strange journey in a book I personally found fascinating. Driven by an obsession the five strangers don’t fully understand they cross the country and the world, passing through each other’s lives, in search of a girl and an answer. In spite of being warned off by authorities they continue until the answer is finally revealed, or is it? An unusual and very enjoyable outing. "
Jack Quick at Book Bitch
He also says in an email "I found the book to be disturbing as well as exciting. I also think there was enough wiggle room at the end to yield a sequel, but have no idea where it would go."

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