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The Point of Fracture

by Frank Turner Hollon

Frank Turner Hollon is an author with that inexplicable gift of gluing the reader to every page until the last bit of his story unfolds. A lawyer in Alabama, Mr. Hollon seems destined to join his more well-known peers in the mystery field and go into writing full time. I was impressed with this writer's ability to portray character – both of the so-called 'normal' nature plus accumulating madness. The Point of Fracture isn't Frank Turner Hollon's only publication by any means, and one of his earlier works has even been contracted for the big screen – but this novel is certainlyan excellent example of fine writing.

Michael Brace has gradually grown apart from his beautiful wife, Suzanne. The fault, if it can be called that, lies with Suzanne, not Michael. Child of a drunken father, with only a younger sister to try and protect against his abuses, Suzanne finds the beginning of Michael's book based on what she's confided to him. In her borderline mind, Suzanne blames Michael now for her unhappy past, and we follow her deteriorating mental condition as she cleverly plans her own suicide – to be blamed as a murder on Michael.

Michael has laid himself wide open for such betrayal: He's been living on his grandfather's inheritance, which is rapidly dwindling. At Suzanne's suggestion, he's bought both a gun and increased their insurance policies. Loving Suzanne still, in spite of her vagaries, Michael doesn't see what she's planning. Suzanne even sets up a supposed affair with Michael's brother, Phillip, to give another reason for her sudden demise – Michael supposedly kills her in a jealous rage.

When Suzanne is discovered dead, every piece of evidence gathered points to Michael's guilt. His wife's insanity is never discovered, and her mental state never precluded her cleverness in framing her husband for what was essentially a suicide. Right up to almost the final chapter it looks as if Michael is going to at least spend a good deal of time behind bars for something he didn't do. And the final twist to the story – although it might be argued that more hints should have occurred earlier – is still believable and shocking.

Frank Turner Hollon brings us a fresh look at the courtroom and all the legal intricacies of a murder trial while focusing on the characters portrayed; both their weaknesses and strengths. The Point of Fracture is a novel you'll remember, and Mr. Hollon a writer you won't soon forget.

Alan Paul Curtis

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