Review of These Violent Roots By Nicole Williams

This book was unexpected, different from what I was expecting and yet so good. It blew me away, and I’m still reeling from the thoughts it evokes. The best way to describe i5 would be a thought experiment. It makes us think, ponder and question our justice system as a whole. It spurs a debate and that by itself makes this a real winner in my eyes. This is a new author for me, so I can’t wait to check out more of her books. She is very good in dealing with such heavy and conflicting topics, toeing the grey line between moral and immoral.

For starters, this story is not about who and how but more about the ‘why’, and that’s what makes it different from the likes of other serial kill / psychological thrillers. Without giving away any spoilers, I can say that there are lot of smart clues laid down by the author that makes is to easy to speculate the who, but the why and what comes after forms the crux of the story. I absolutely loved the questions it arises - when to uphold the law? When to take law into own hands? How should pedophiles be treated? Are they worthy of a second chance? Can they ever change? Are kids really protected in the society we live in? Is there really a just and moral path to take? And all theses questions are dabbled with and different perspectives given through Grace (public prosecutor)and her husband Noah (court appointed psychiatrist to counsel the guilty ones). Their occupations are opposing in the means they employ Bute d goal is the same - to speak justice for the victims, but add in a serial killer to the mix who’s been secretly killing all the convicted but later freed pedophiles, eliminating any future and potential victims? That’s the one true discussion and debate of how best to address the situation stems. Everyone’s taking sides with the society coining a new term for the serial killer and making him a vigilante. This book is as much about the characters and storyline as it’s about the issues it tries to address and gives a perspective on. It’s a very well balanced mix that keeps the readers hooked from first page to the last.

I wholeheartedly vouch for the stand taken by the author on how it concludes.

A must read book for sure!!

5 stars.