Replenished by William Michael Davidson Review based on the Advance Copy

Replenished by William Michael Davidson

From the Back Cover

After his wife walks out on him, Charlie Phoenix tries to lick his wounds by purchasing his dream car: a ‘69 Corvette Stingray. It isn’t long before he realizes that the Stingray has the bizarre ability to replenish itself; every time the fuel needle drops below E, he watches in amazement as it slowly returns to F. But the car does more than just replenish gasoline. After driving in it for months, he realizes that his health problems have vanished, and the relationship with his estranged son mends whenever they go for a drive together.

Hoping to use the car for good, Charlie must come to terms with whether such power was ever meant to be placed in the hands of any one driver. And as his life begins to unravel, it becomes clear there is another, darker side to this Stingray lurking beneath the hood—one that utterly terrifies him.

A tale of jealousy, rage, and human frailty, this is a drive along the dark highways of the human heart. Buckle up.

I received this book on request from Mr. William Michael Davidson, the author of this book who provided me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

The opinions in this review are all mine and based on my reading of this book. 

I have rated this book at 4 Stars.

Reviewing Replenished

The Stingray mentioned in this review is a Corvette Stingray.

The story line had intrigued me and was what prompted me to request the author for an advance copy. It sounded very cliché and having cut my teeth with classic horror novels featuring cars, who can forget Christine.

Here the cliché sounded very childish with the sad and the good happening in the protagonist's life being blamed on a metallic beast a Stingray here.

The story definitely revolves around the car but what I as a reader got from it was a vast range, some characters, family, emotions, estrangements, honey traps, divorce, complications that come with a messy divorce case, estrangement and then bonding between father and son.

A messy rebound Relationship, a good Samaritan and the Enigma, that is the Stingray.

The story tugs at your heartstrings and comes across more than a pot boiler. This is a full scale assault on the senses and full credit to William for the book. I understood that the title story started off as a short story which now has been expanded to a full length novel. I have not had the pleasure of the short story but can surely vouch for this novel.

The book features several clichéd scenes like a drunk boyfriend, drunk surly neighbor, a fan kid who needs mothering, rebellious son, wife with an affair, protagonist with a name that screams out the end, but all these are juxtaposed together into a lovely collage.

Charlie is a well off if miserly middle aged man whose wife decides to split. While divorce proceedings are on, he decides to live his life to the full and fulfill his desires, purchases a Stingray. Within days he finds out that the car seems to have a life of its own, doesn't require refilling, and is the Sematary from Pet Sematary. It revives anyone who sits in the vehicle and kills anyone who covets it.

There are murders happening and we have Charlie (a successful man) who sometimes acts way different from what he is, like a lame duck (this is why and where I deducted a Star) in his life dealings like with his nephew, wife, son, GF, etc.

Later when he tries to develop some spine he keeps reverting to character and hence meets his end.

The police behave like boors despite no firm evidence but then justice seems more about convictions than dong the right thing.

The court proceedings are a little flimsy with William probably trying to wind of the novel fast. It seems abrupt and for Charlie a man with access to money seems far fetched that he gets an attorney who is his reflection (lame duck). You are being accused of serial homicides and one grievous assault including trying to escape means you get yourself a superstar. No credible evidence is presented in his favor. I don't practice but enough Grisham novels have shown me the flaws where a decent attorney could intercede but why digress from the main topic, the book.

The story gets its punches on target and is highly enjoyable. The endling twist was expected but gladdens the heart.

I had not read any of William's books but if this is a sample of his writing then I am definitely going to try some of his other books. The milometer based chapter headings are also a revelation.

I recommend this book to all.

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/134366167-sanjib-dash?order=d&sort=review&view=reviews

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5000166007