Title: The path of good response
Author: Steve Frogley
Source: Gifted
Publish date: 27th August 2020
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Do you value your mother's health above peace in the middle East? How about your career over global Warming?
If a company runs the best graduate scheme in the world, can it afford to be probing with its interview questions?
First of all I would like to say a huge thank you to Steve for reaching out to me and offering me a chance to read his book in exchange for a review. I may not have found this book had it not been for his contact so thanks!
So where to start with this one? What a book!
It had me hooked all the way through. It was a gripping, thrilling tale of the lengths humans will go to for the greater good.
Joe Massey is offered a graduate scheme aboard Schelldharts luxurious headquarters at sea. Straight out of university he cannot believe his luck at being accepted by this world dominating global company. His dreams have all come true, a fantastic opportunity with an amazing pay scale plus his student debt is written off from the outset. The role offers so much progression along with a chance to change things for the better, but soon things start to feel wrong. Joe is plagued by strange dreams, an odd feeling and the sense that all is not as it seems.....
The story is told from two view points throughout. That of Joe in the present day working at Schellardt and also Arnold Shendi whose past and present are both explored. Their links with the path to the greater good are intricately tangled in a knot of mystery and deceit. Other characters within the story are well placed and detailed. They compliment the story and give it a well rounded feel. I especially found the relationship between Joe and Rachel very interesting, the roots of his obsession deeply wound throughout the entire story.
The setting was also an unusual one, a graduate scheme set aboard a luxury cruise liner. The fact that they were floating far out to sea enhanced the feelings of isolation and the realisation that anything could happen out there. Who would be around to witness it?
The whole story had an air of suspense and the plot line weaved a web which sucked me in and kept me gripped and wanting to find out more. It was pacy and detailed, giving enough complexity to create depth, but not so much that I was left wondering what was going on. That in itself is a great skill!
The confusion Joe felt at the scenarios that were playing out during his induction was understandable and very cleverly explored. Although I predicted one reveal I certainly was not disappointed with the direction the journey took and felt satisfied at how it all played out. The actions of the company and the twists and turns were scarily believable - in a world full of major technological advancements and infinite financial capital anything is possible.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clever, psychological thriller which truly makes you think and ask the question "What would I be willing to do for the greater good?"
I hope this review has piqued your interest, if indeed you would like to now read his book you can purchase the it here on Amazon.
About the Author:
Steve Frogley was born in Essex in England. He now lives on the South Coast. The path of good response is his first novel.
You can follow him on twitter @SteveFrogley