Cousin Calls | Zeb Haradon | Book Review

Rating - 3 /5 ★★★

My Review

When the author approached me to read this book, I was unsure why I should pick it. However, the blurb promised a fantastic plot, so I bought it right away. The author impresses me with his writing style. The storyline is unquestionably distinct and creative, and it is presented in such a way that it piques your interest in the upcoming twists and turns, trapping you to keep reading.

Harold gets a call from an unknown cousin telling him to meet at the Coffin Bar, where he encounters a group of people who warn him this call foretells of future misfortune. Annie reveals to him that her cousin promises to disclose the family recipe of chili to her, but it turns out to be the worst nightmare of her life. Ward, a desperate job seeker, installs something that aids his learning, but it malfunctions his brain and causes him to be attracted to the shadows. Gordon was persuaded by his cousin to solve the mystery of the local store bathroom. A deer, Alex fighting with his cousin Mortimer, meets his end. Jane's story takes place in the midst of the COVID crisis and pre-election upheaval. Harold has not yet changed his mind about this being just a tale and is still waiting for his cousin to arrive.

The beginning of this book is quite interesting, even engaging. I was interested to see where the story was heading. I'm intrigued by Annie's story, but the ending is not what I expected. Ward's life circumstances are different and unique. However, the way he reacts to them unsettles me. And the third Gordon story is too hard for me to read; it is so gross that it took me two days to finish it. Alex's tale is heartbreaking, and it eventually becomes true, even genuine. Last comes Jane's, with which I felt the most connected, and I enjoyed how the author highlighted the problems of COVID that everyone encounters at some point, although this story is pretty long. It also contains some facts that Trump supporters may find hard to read and hate Jane for it.

I seek in every story the purpose and the solution, and both are lacking in this book. The stories are narrative throughout the book, but what is the point of telling them? Everyone is dealing with the same problem. Some manage to escape, while others remain trapped. There is no way for this problem to be solved. There isn't even an emotional message that makes me want to conclude it on a positive note. Harold's narrative, which ties to every other story, ends with a cliffhanger and no means to find out the truth behind all the other stories.

All in all, Cousin Calls is engaging with its fresh and unique storyline from start to finish. I am a risky reader. If you are also then, pick this book for its literary fiction and a touch of Sci-Fi.