The Call by Kerry Wilkinson
Revenge
I recently closed the final page of ‘The Call’ on April 30th and took a moment to gather my thoughts before penning this review. Having experienced other works by Kerry Wilkinson, I approached this novel with anticipation, yet it didn’t quite ascend to the top of my thriller list for the year. The premise piqued my interest, and I was eager to dive in and be captivated. However, my feelings remain ambivalent.
Kerry Wilkinson’s prose in ‘The Call’ is commendable for its clarity and ease of navigation. Yet, I hesitate to endorse it as the ‘edge-of-your-seat’ thriller it’s purported to be. The narrative, solely from Melody’s perspective, lacked the depth and engagement I sought. The storyline revolves around her missing fiancé, but Melody’s indifferent demeanor towards his disappearance stripped the plot of the urgency and emotional investment it required. The casualness with which she and the vacationing ensemble treated the situation struck me as odd, almost as if they were collectively shrugging off the concern with a ‘he’ll turn up eventually’ mindset.
The dynamics between the sister, husband, and a friend of Melody’s introduced elements that promised intrigue but ultimately led nowhere. It’s only towards the end that the narrative picks up pace, delivering a twist that elicited a genuine ‘oh damn’ reaction from me. Yet, once again, Melody’s nonchalant response to the events left me disenchanted.
In essence, ‘The Call’ had the potential for a gripping tale but was marred by its protagonist’s implausible reactions. I give it a hesitant 2.5 stars, rounded up for the moments that did manage to surprise.”
