Lines through a Prism by Bob Siqveland follows seventy-four-year-old Woodward, an ex-assassin for the government, a man who, now retired, finds delight in waiting for the sunrise as an event. He decides on a whim to go to Jekyll Island of which he knows very little — part of the excitement and intrigue — but he quickly finds himself embroiled in an international sex-trafficking ring. Tapping into experience, he does what a seasoned soldier has to do, but does he have enough fight in him to bring down a powerful sex trafficking syndicate and give freedom to many innocents?

First off, Bob Siqveland’s writing is captivating and he draws the reader in through the exciting and bold prose and the ingenious crafting of the first-person narrative voice which plunges the reader into the center of the mind of the protagonist. The streams of consciousness allow an immediate connection with Woody; his quirky way of looking at life and people and the curiosity that inhabits his spirit are powerfully captured. Woody is a solidly written protagonist with a fascinating military background, including Vietnam and his service as an assassin in a black-ops sub-agency. What is most fascinating about this character is that he doesn’t reflect the clichés that readers have when it comes to characters with a military backgrounds. The story told from his perspective, is replete with humor and never lacks thought-provoking insights and moments that compel readers to halt and muse on insights from this character.

While Lines through a Prism is cunningly plotted, what makes it a unique story is the depth of character and the author’s expert handling of conflict. The characters are realistic, navigating a world that is fraught with danger and crime. It is a world filled with the “immoral” and the “amoral” which Woody refers to as “assholes.” The protagonist is an unusual hero, a man who no longer has the strength of his youth, yet he is intelligent, bold, and curious in a way that quickly puts him in the path of trouble. The prose is dazzling and the plot will enthrall readers while the characters will have them enchanted. No less than the plotting, this author’s exploration of conflict and strong themes are models of screwball creativity. This is an intense and captivating story with a delightful ending.