I'm not a fan of political or crime thrillers (and this novel is both and more), but I have to say, I really liked this one. I picked it up at a used book store based on its interesting and unsual premise. The setting of modern day El Salvador (touching on Chicago and Iraq too) was completely fascinating and if you think you know anything about what is going on over there, read this, you'll be shocked at how little we know. I know this is fiction, but never have I gotten such an acute sense of an author knowing about what he's writing about; and clearly, he's seen some stuff. Corbett takes you there, and I'm talking about places you probably don't even want to go. This book is gritty, gratuitously voilent, truly scary (in the creepy guy you don't want to meet way) and it never lets up for a second. There are a lot of damaged souls and just some downright wicked people. I found myself holding my breath at times. The plot is nothing short of wild and it takes turns a reader certainly does not see coming. This is a good one, a very good one, but no way for the feint of heart. Also, you have to pay attention, because there are multiple players and interests at work, individuals, companies, political parties, countries even. The only thing I did not care for was the inane "love story" between Eileen and Jude. I thought it was ridiculous and tedious - kind of a passive/aggressive push/pull (I hate you; I love you; I hate you; I love you) thing that grew old in about two pages. It seemed kind of Hollywood misplaced in an overall very realistic book. The ending is awesome. But in sum, highly recommend. ( )

Inspired by the eloquent, yet deeply disturbing Greek tragedies of long ago, Blood of Paradise, is a dark novel, penned by one of today’s most passionate writers. David Corbett’s third novel, shines an unflinching and unapologetic light into the backrooms and back-alleys, corporate boardrooms and finally, the lofty and corrupt offices of the politicians sworn to serve and protect.

Whether defined or haunted by, his late father’s choices, Jude McManus left Chicago and joined the Army. He now provides protection services for high profile executives in El Salvador. Assigned to guard Axel Odelberg, an American hydrologist, hired to evaluate the effects a proposed bottling plant expansion may have on local water supplies. The powers that be expect a “rubber stamp report”, and will go to any lengths to ensure both favorable findings and total silence.

A brilliant liar and master manipulator, Bill Malvasio knew Jude McManus was an easy target. Exploiting his father’s memory and using their friendship as a base, Malvasio spun a story filled with half truths. He explained to Jude that an old warrant prevented him from returning to the US. He asked Jude to escort the ex-cop, Phil Strock (the third member of his father’s disgraced trio) back to El Salvador. While not entirely certain of Malvasio’s intentions, Jude agrees.

However, he soon realizes all is not what it seems, as he finds himself in the eye of life-threatening storm fueled by greed and maintained through violence. The true extent of the danger slowly becomes apparent as the Salvadoran mob flexes its’ muscle, ordering the murder of a female villager that complained her well was destroyed by the water project. Soon thereafter, an infant is kidnapped to guarantee her mother’s silence.

The characters are flawed, three dimensional and absolutely believable. Throughout the novel recognizing good and evil becomes more difficult, as the reader begins to question their own moral assumptions and attitudes. The plot and subplots work well together and often propel each other forward. Intricately layered and complicated, Corbett revs up the suspense and the stakes as the novel hurtles toward the conclusion.

With a practiced eye for detail, Corbett’s thoughts on the modern predicament are as insightful as they are chilling. Acknowledging the complexity of the politics and the difficult decisions being made by politicians, lends a realism to the novel, making it almost impossible to discern the line between fact and fiction. He weaves a myriad of seemingly disparate situations in the world - gang activity, terrorism, US foreign policy, corruption, murder, - into a seamless story that ties everything together. Exceptionally well written, with haunting depictions that capture both the beauty and the despair of a land and its people, which no longer seem so foreign or distant.

Powerful, shocking and thought provoking, Blood of Paradise is a challenging read that I would recommend to all who enjoy serious thrillers. For interested readers, Corbett included a dossier at the end of the book, describing the political atmosphere of El Salvador.

Happy Reading!
RJ McGill
3Rs-Real Reader Reviews

Personal Note:
A dense and complex read, I often found myself returning to previous chapters to clarify the various aspects linking the characters. (A character list was an absolute necessity.) Also, I was frustrated by the use of undefined and obscure Spanish words that could not be interpreted by the surrounding text. Dark and disturbing, David Corbett’s passion is both refreshing and moving, so much so, I immediately checked out his 2003 release, “Done for a Dime” from my local library ( )

An amazing novel set in El Salvador that illustrates the tangled and perverse alliances that the US government has established with corrupt leaders in order to spread soft drinks and free trade to the developing world. At the center of the book is Jude, a richly realized character who is young and naive and burdened with shame because his father, a corrupt Chicago cop, committed suicide after being caught out. He has gone into the business of "executive protection" after falling in love with an ill-starred, battle-scarred country. But as he tries to keep an idealistic hydrologist alive, he's up against commercial interests that will ally themselves with killers before they lose access to a depleted aquifer for a soft drink factory. And in a confused move of atonement he lets himself be manipulated by one of his father's corrupt associates. The ending is deeply moving, and as timely and timeless as the Greek tragedy that inspired the story. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. ( )