The Following review was contributed by: Molly Martin
Six months ago Jackie was brutally attacked by someone she did not know and she had her car stolen as well by the vicious thug. Since that time Jackie has been understandably terrified that she will again be attacked by the frightening lout. Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Jackie has been housebound, worried almost to distraction and hiding out in a rented apartment. With the concerned help of her younger sister and Donna’s patient husband Beanie, Jackie begins to break free from the anguish caused from her trauma. A chance meeting leads to help for Jackie from a most unexpected source. The week beginning from the time Jackie first starts therapy until the thwarting of her attacker find Jackie becoming an altogether different person.
Jackie’s Week is a fast moving, exciting little thriller filled with excellent writing, well developed complex characters and thought provoking setting. Writer LaGraff has crafted a well written narrative centering around an all too common occurrence in our modern society. Physical violence brought about or undertaken by a complete stranger is something far too many citizens living in large cities have come to accept almost as ‘normal’ or ‘predictable.’ When the unthinkable have become almost the expected society faces growing problems need answers and methods for dealing with them.
Jackie’s near to overpowering fear following the brutal attack upon herself is something we can feel, empathize with and understand. That fear is the very predictable reaction to be expected given the particular circumstance. While Jackie’s method for dealing with and solving her problem is not one accepted in a good many to most circles, it is certainly effective for her. Writer LaGraff handles snappy dialogue, thought provoking characters and transition with equal ease. The reader is hooked into the narrative from the opening line and is held breathless right down to the finishing paragraph. It is impossible to not like these characters presented in Jackie's Week whether they are the good or the sleazy. Excellent read sure to please those who enjoy a good fast paced thoughtful presentation.