Room 119: The Whitby Trader by T.F.Lince

Paperback: 278 pages

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (12 Dec. 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1979854327
• ISBN-13: 978-1979854320

Synopsis

High-flying trader Dean Harrison has it all – the London penthouse apartment; the fast car; the beautiful wife. But when the threads of Dean’s life start to unravel, they do so with alarming speed. Following the advice of a frail stranger, Dean sets off for Welnetham Hall Hotel and is plunged into the mysterious world of Room 119 – a world where nothing makes sense. How does everyone in the hotel know his name? Why does he travel there on a train line that shut down over fifty years ago? And who is the sinister man in black who pursues him wherever he goes? As he gradually pieces together the puzzle of Welnetham Hall, Dean is forced to re-evaluate his life and realises that nothing is more important to him than his wife and daughter. Desperate to get back to them, he vows he would lay down his life for the people he loves. It’s a promise he may have to keep.

Review

Room 119: The Whitby Trader was really not what I expected; I expected a more traditional thriller, and believe me when I say this is far from traditional.  That is a good thing with this book, Trevor has combined mystery, thriller, gothic, mythology and supernatural to deliver a brilliant, keep you on the edge of your seats book.   The narrative follows Dean, a high flyer trader in the city who is at the top of his game, rich with a lovely house, a Porsche and a wife and daughter.  Financial trading is very much a male domain, where testosterone rules to the exception of their relationship with their families.  Dean’s world hits a downward spiral after a trade looses the company money, Dean his job, and his wife and daughter.  After loosing all he holds dear, and contemplating suicide he is given a second chance after he is advised to go to say at Welnetham Hall Hotel in room 119.  This is where the plot turns on its head and takes Dean and the reader on a rollercoaster ride you won’t forget.

As a character Dean is very likeable, he loves his family, looks after them financially even thought he doesn’t go home every weekend.  He is very successful but always remembers his roots in Whitby, where he was brought up, and appreciates his new life.  He is surrounded by good friends who keep his feet on the ground and remind him what is important in life. The plot follows Dean as he is given a second chance at life, if he can prove that he is worth a second chance and will put his family first.   I also found the characters of Sarah, his wife and daughter Jodie life like and amiable.  Their interaction, emotions and presence was very natural and throughout the book they were continually developed liked Dean’s character.

The narrative in this book goes in so many different directions, twisting and turning in ways you don’t see coming.  In some ways I see Dean’s journey akin to that of Alice falling down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland; memorable  and colourful characters that guide Dean as Alice was guided, and a surreal setting at times, a funfair, a disused railway line.  I don’t want to say too much about the plot as it could give too much away, but it is fair to say that Dean’s journey will take you to unexpected places and will touch your heart.  I did have a few doubts about how accepting Dean was of his predicament, he never really questioned what was happening, no shock, or disbelief, which I think would be a more natural reaction to the events.  I also felt, whilst reading, that I would have liked more detail on the characters that Dean met along the way.  However, by the end of the book all threads were brought together beautifully to give a firm conclusion.

Room 119: The Whitby Trader is a thriller/mystery/supernatural read with a moral tale at it’s centre; you need to work on your priorities as you only get one chance at life, so don’t mess it up.  I thought the different elements  in this book worked really well, the mythology, supernatural crossover gave to some wonderful characters and settings for this book.  A amazingly different read that will take you on a journey you will not forget; a brilliant debut novel.

That you for taking the time to read my review. I am proud to support local author’s and run a Facebook group North East Authors and Readers (NEAR) for local authors and readers from the North East of England.  This is where  I first met Trevor Lince, and his lovely wife Claire, and found out about this book.   I’m looking forward to his second book which he is working on as we speak.