ISBN: 978-1-4327-1520-5

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Robert Paul Blumenstein has, during the 1970s, worked with Virginia’s deinstitutionalization program freeing inmates from a regional mental hospital.

Robert is said to have once commented: “I’ve travelled halfway around the world, yet never have I travelled so far as into the depths of the mind”. These words are so fitting to his second book of The Ascension Trilogy. He now lives in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.  

Snapping The String - a book which has more twists and turns than a helter skelter…..

It is compelling, entertaining and yet quite dark too. It is based on the 70s drug scene - featuring a teenager who is always up for experimenting.

The beginning of this was really interesting and makes you think. Peyton Costello has just been taken into a secure forensic unit of a mental institution after being accused of murdering his parents. There follows a horrible chain of events, some very gruesome indeed! 

Peyton has to really consider what he wants and clear his mind of the horrible thoughts that consume him. Was he really the one responsible for the murder of his Mum and Dad?

Because drugs are very much involved, it leads me to believe that this poor man was quite innocent. A victim of himself if anything.  

Imagine being trapped in such a place and knowing what he does?

I really found myself enjoying this. There is a rather sad part later on towards the end of this book where Peyton visits the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Costello - Robert describes how he sits there and even the noise from passing cars are diminished in his moment. He is visited by the ghost of his mother who embraces him in a hug and whispers that she loves him. Peyton wipes the tears from his eyes and turns to maybe repay the gesture but sees nobody in the cemetery.  And later: “Finally she raised her arm and acknowledged him (Peyton) with a wave before she vanished, forever.”

 How poignant I thought and I’m sure you will too.

The cover of this book is quite eye-catching, I thought. It does portray the story inside so well. 

A story of drugs, adolescence and one man who tries to find his way and pull himself back into reality.  

Vividly portrayed and quite addictive reading.