The Hoard by Neil Grimmett

Grimmett lays a particular heavy emphasis on the relationships between his characters. The emotional ties that bind, tear apart and often destroy people.

In The Hoard those emotions extend to and expand around the explosive materials and the actual main hub of the site.

They are volatile, destructive and threaten to swallow everything and everyone involved in its general vicinity.

The explosion is based on true events that happened at ROF Bridgwater in 1951, an explosion which killed six workers.The actual cause of the explosion was never determined, which folds neatly into this fictional story.

Byron is the son of one of the victims and he is back to find the truth, no matter how painful. He finds himself immersed in the rituals of an old boys brotherhood and the adrenaline pumped mentality of men who work in highly dangerous situations.
I thought there were too many scenes, dialogues and interactions, which were over-sexualized. Perhaps even to the detriment of the main plot.

Despite that Grimmett manages to create a vibrant story with a cast of eccentric characters. I think the most memorable character is the one left behind, the person who is driven slightly insane by survivors guilt and post traumatic stress disorder.

He sways between an almost paranormal ghostly connection and mental illness in a way that leaves the reader wondering just which one fits the description completely. The scenes in the river, where he communicates with the men of the past, are exactly the type of extraordinary imagery, dialogue and scene I have come to expect from this particular author.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.