Verdict: Eye of the Redeemer weaves together a myriad of storylines to create a well written and intriguing read.

“I guess when we’re our own redeemer we can do whatever we want and find justification for it.”

Eye of the Redeemer hosts multiple storylines and subplots that are connected by protagonist, chiropractor Dr. Ray Silver. Owing to physical “limitations” Ray is unable to follow a family tradition and serve in the military like his grandfather, father, brother and children.

Ray becomes the chiropractor at the local Veteran’s Medical Center, and is met with animosity from other doctors who don’t believe in his “alternative” medical practices. His only real friends there are Stella, the head nurse, and Abner, the custodian. Ray’s personal projects involve finding out why his father feigns memory lapses in order to avoid divulging what happened on his ship and what happened to his brother Frank who was supposedly killed in a mission during a Navy SEAL mission.

Ray’s newest project involves the rebuilding of an old Navy ship that, unbeknownst to Ray, is intended for more than simple restoration. A love story is also in the background as newly divorced and widowed Ray also finds himself in a blossoming relationship with thirty-year-old Leigh Anne McMillen who is battling her own demons.

Author Richard I. Levine sets up the theme of redemption in several of his characters, effectively developing their personalities, histories and revealing their moment of redemption. One puzzling characterization involved Abner, an African-American, who is the only character who is consistently characterized by his speech: “Don’t mean no disrespec’ doc, but ah gotta get up ta the fourf flo’ ta fix a winda befo’ they start complainin’ again.”  Though Levine does capture a specific accent, it’s a little distracting given that none of the other characters have the same treatment – not even the characters based in the Philippines.

Though the connection between the various storylines takes a while to set up, Levine manages to keep the different threads tied together. Levine also changes the perspective of the narrative and jumps back and forth in time. Though, at times the shift in time and location is a little confusing, especially at the beginning; it does for the most part keep the story dynamic.

Levine’s compact writing and good balance of military details, dialogue and description keep the reader from being overwhelmed by the use of acronyms and military jargon. The action, though contrived in parts, can be overlooked because of the overall flow and intricacies of the plot that include the ever-popular themes surrounding bureaucratic loopholes and government conspiracies.

Eye of the Redeemer weaves together a myriad of storylines to create a well written and intriguing read.

Reviewed by Maya Fleischmann for IndieReader