Layover.
David Bell. Penguin Publishing Group.
July 2, 2019; pb, 416 pp.; ISBN
#: 9780440000877.
Midway through this
memorable story, Joshua Field remembers the quote about the “unexamined life”
is not worth living. During the
enfolding plot that follows, Joshua realizes that he has fallen into all of his
choices without much independent reflection or decision-making. Thus, he is
quite amazed at the words of the woman, Morgan, whom he meets at an airport,
when she tells him to quit his job and do what he really wants to do. She is appealing and evasive at the same
time. Her behavior indicates she is in
trouble but after kissing him she tells him she will never see him again.
As Joshua continues, he
decides to skip his flight and join hers but is totally flummoxed when she acts
as if she never met him. Later she calls
and apologizes. The story evolves to
Joshua following her and learning that indeed she is in trouble. That trouble involves her former work
situation, being treated poorly and the theft of a valuable which she needs to
pay for her mother’s hospice care.
Joshua truly grows to care for her but realizes she is as ephemeral as a
passing cloud. However, for once, he doesn’t run away and commits to following
this mystery through to its conclusion.
It also turns out that her
former boss’s brother is more involved in this trouble than just a familial
interest. The discovery of a murderer
will follow.
By the time Joshua meets
his father at the end of this account, they have a new relationship, one borne
of truth and honesty.
Layover
is a fine mystery for all lovers of the genre and a multilayered approach about
fulfilling one’s dreams!
