Closing out The Lenka Trilogy with a nail-biter, author John Righten delivers yet another smart and adventurous thriller with Reflection. All of the lessons, enemies, losses, and sacrifices of a mysterious and selfless Irish heroine come to a head in a dangerous race against a Christmastime clock.
Lenka Brett remains as indomitable and entertaining as ever, taking up a tall task in South America to deliver essential medical supplies amidst a landscape of violence and outright corruption. The wear and tear of her previous two missions have clearly taken their toll on Lenka, both physically and emotionally, but her dogged insistence on succeeding where others fail is relentless.
This final installment finds Lenka hardened by the years, and her own personal tragedies, unafraid to take charge of a given situation and shine as a natural leader, but also more trusting and confident in those around her. Her instincts and intuition will be necessary to negotiate with old enemies in South America, dodge blackmail plots and wicked manipulations, and reckon with the ongoing grief of a beloved ally. The eventual mission to visit six different countries in less than three weeks is a bold one, heightened by vengeful villains from Lenka’s past that seem merciless in their hunt.
The author’s years of lived experience working with a variety of aid convoys, in the very same conflict-prone regions where this series is set, boosts the authenticity of the storytelling even further. Though the novels are fictionalized, many of Righten’s characters are based on real-life rogues and noble daredevils he encountered in the field, risking life and limb for righteous causes across the globe in the ’80s and ’90s, which makes this trilogy truly unique. There are also touching moments of female empowerment, political rebellion, and universal compassion woven into the plot, such as the inspiring exchanges between Foxy and Margot.
Some background information of historical conflicts in Bosnia, South America, and other parts of the world would make the story more accessible, but it is also immediately immersive to be thrown into complex conflicts. Despite the novel’s specific historical setting, the same types of violence, strife, and suffering are occurring right now, in Yemen, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others, and this entire series highlights how so little has changed in the fight against oppressive regimes, human rights violations, and the vicious powers that use such inhumanity as a weapon. Righten takes a hard look at the compromise of values that such challenging work can cause.
On the technical side, while the story itself is tremendously thrilling, the execution doesn’t always measure up to the potential. The dialogue can come off as stiff, overly purposeful, cliché, or even reminiscent of a Bond villain confession in its directness: “You’re finished, Foxy. There’s no one to protect you now.” That said, the variation between plot locations and the ominous countdown to Christmas Eve keeps the story dynamic and the suspense high.
An explosive finale to a standout series, this novel hits hard, delivering a gripping closing chapter to an original and timely saga.
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