I picked this novel up, thinking that it would be a historical mystery and suspense, but The Edge: A Jack Slack Shoebox Dialogue Book 2 by George Benda turned out to be a lot more than that. I expected it to be a good mystery, but it is actually a gem. I loved the undertones of hardcore literature, and I loved the fact that I could find this so unexpectedly. Don’t get me wrong; trendy literary novels tend to be long and boring, but not this novel. It was the perfect balance between a hardcore literary novel and a cool mystery that you can dive into and lose yourself.

The story follows Jack Slack, a politician at his core; he is working hard while still completing his studies. He is very vocal about his ideas and he is not afraid to voice them, regardless of whose feathers will be ruffled. He is unapologetic, confident and understands his worth; however, he is humble enough to accept his mistakes. The turbulence in his life begins when he is attacked by an FBI agent who is against him. No matter how hard he tries, Jack cannot shake the agent off. Stuck in limbo, Jack must depend upon himself and his friends to help him out of this situation.

The development is strong and so are the characters. I loved the chemistry between Ben and Jack; they were the perfect friends who were there for each other. The romantic side of Jack was very revealing, he was not sleazy but very humble and that actually drew me in. Really enjoyable and entertaining. I loved it!

Jack is a brilliant college student and an activist, a guy working his way through a series of internships, but underneath the studious look, he is a talented young man, poised for great things. His activist tendencies quickly attract the attention of the FBI and he becomes a person of interest on their radar. Soon he is hunted for a plot to overthrow the US government, but when one of his friends gets killed and an attempt made on his life, he has to scale his game and defenses. The twist will surprise readers and they will love the part Jack plays in unveiling the real threat to the government.

The Edge by George Benda is a great novel with relevant historical references, the second book in the Jack Slack Shoebox Dialogue series. This is a book with a lot for readers: pathos, craft, passion, and elements that will excite readers in a well-crafted novel. George Benda’s story is character-driven and readers can’t help but be drawn to the protagonist, a well-sculpted character with traits that will pique the interest of readers. It is interesting to watch him evolve throughout the story, building a romantic relationship that comes along as a touch of spice in the suspense.

The Edge features great prose and the author has a unique skill in developing exciting dialogues. I found the dialogues natural, plot-enhancing, and entertaining. Right off the bat, the reader gets a feel for the cultural setting through the curses that come through the dialogues. The conflict is well-developed and it adds to the plot. This is a work of great entertainment, well-paced, exciting, and enthralling.

A high level of originality, great entertainment, sophisticated characters, an irresistible hook, emotional intensity, and compelling visuals are elements that greet readers on every page of The Edge, another awesome entry in the Jack Slack Shoebox series by George Benda. Jack is the kind of character readers want to connect with, a student who is immersed in the political life of his community, the kind of young man who won’t miss any uprising or political demonstration.

He is doing different internships, but his political activism soon gets him on the FBI radar and he becomes hunted as the brain behind a conspiracy to overthrow the US government. Things escalate pretty quickly when one of his friends is murdered and an attempt is made on his life. The plot gets a twist and Jack becomes an important piece of a puzzle in unraveling a nasty plot to overthrow the government.

The Edge is an electrifying story, packed with intense moments of action. I enjoyed the depth of emotion and pathos that come across in the writing. The author has a wonderful gift for descriptive prose and dialogue, allowing readers to get clear images of the setting and to feel the story as though it were real, thanks to the masterful craft of conversations. The story is fast-paced and pulsating, with many surprises and unexpected turns. There is no way readers won’t be seduced by the compelling characters, the strong plot lines, and the exciting conflict. George Benda is a master entertainer who has created a character that readers will want to follow. I just became a fan of Jack Slack.

The Edge (A Jack Slack Shoebox Dialogue Book 2) by George Benda is well-plotted and masterfully crafted. It’s a story that follows an unusual protagonist, Jack Slack, a college student who is very active politically. His interests in politics and his particular set of self-defense skills draw the attention of the FBI and he becomes a prime suspect in a conspiracy to overthrow the government. An FBI agent targets Jack and is determined to bring him in, but it’s not an easy game for him. Jack knows he is playing with fire and that his life could be in extreme danger when the rogue FBI agent kills one of Jack’s friends. Follow the story to discover how Jack turns out to be one of the important assets to the local law enforcement and the FBI, and how he helps to unravel the sinister plot.

This book will offer great entertainment to readers. The characters are great and the protagonist is well-developed, rock-solid and deeply explored. Readers will enjoy him in his relationships, in his ideals, and his evasive character. I had the impression that the novel is well-researched and the setting comes across as the work of an expert writer. One of the elements that had me enthralled is the development of the conflict. I loved the way it starts and escalates, and how it sets the pace for the entire story. Combining suspense with the great art of storytelling, George Benda makes The Edge (A Jack Slack Shoebox Dialogue Book 2) into a page-turner, a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.