Average Joe

Joe is a man haunted by his past; a past that holds great power over him. He possesses an unusual gift—he can see into the spirit realm. And so the story unfolds, and we, the reader, learn more about Joe's fears and trials as he struggles with his ability (or disability, as Joe himself thinks).

This book skillfully combines the literary conflicts of Man vs. Man (the central plot of the novel) and Man vs. Self (Joe's struggles with his “gift”). The action takes place in East Texas, and the characters and their dialogue feel accurate in their depictions. Their interactions with one another ring true and at times made me laugh out loud. There are hints as to the identity of the antagonist, but the presence of a few red herrings adds interest and allows the suspense to build. The tension is palpable as our villain enacts the vendetta against Joe, causing him to embark on a circuitous journey as he tries to unravel the clues to the killer's identity. As hard as he tries to avoid it, all paths lead him to the same place and Joe is forced to confront his fears. Ultimately this is a story about good vs. evil, acceptance, and “letting go and letting God.”