Title: Traitor
Series: Standalone
Author’s Name: Steve Malik Swayne
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co
Genre: Thriller
Page Count: 212 Pages
ISBN: 979-8886040135
Author or Book Website: Steve Malik Swayne (traitorthenovel.com)
Link to Amazon purchase page: Traitor: Swayne, Steve Malik: Amazon.com: Books
Link to Goodreads: Traitor by Steve Malik Swayne | Goodreads
Release Date: N/A
How I Got the Book: Review Copy
Summary of the Book:
Traitor is a psychological thriller about musician Xavier Ruffin, who started life on the wild side. Growing up in Las Vegas, he came up in a world of gambling, sex, and drugs.
In pursuit of more than what Las Vegas has to offer, Xavier takes his entrepreneurial proficiencies on the road, ending up in Albuquerque. His lavish lifestyle quickly gains the attention of those around him, and he befriends a crew of like-minded individuals. Over time, Xavier and the three of these men become close-knit friends.
Tyson Carter is one of the men in Xavier’s newfound crew, and he and Xavier become very close. During their days of partying and living young and wild, Tyson begins studying law. Over the years, different avenues of life pull the men away from each other. Xavier begins losing focus on what life is all about and involves himself with the wrong crowd, indulging in drugs and criminal activity. He eventually ends up being blamed for a murder he did not commit.
During his trial, Xavier reaches out to his old friend Tyson, who works for the DA’s office, in search of help, only to be shot down. Tyson doesn’t acknowledge what once was a friendship and lets Xavier take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. This makes Tyson a traitor in Xavier’s mind.
While incarcerated with a twelve-year sentence, Xavier is constantly haunted by the betrayal of his once close friend and vows to make Tyson pay for every year of freedom Xavier lost. Upon release from prison, Xavier, now emboldened with vengeance, is bent on pursuing retribution and turns his wicked intention of revenge into a callous game of payback.
My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have to start by saying I was so not ready for this book. It was not one of those stories that you read and forget. It is one that sticks with you long after you have closed the book and set it done. It has friendship and betrayal. That is not something one easily gets over. Xavier turned to his friend Tyson in his time of need and is completely denied. Those emotions turn to hated and Xavier is consumed with vengeance. It is a tale that drags you along at a quick pace but is not forced.
My Rating of the Book: 4 1/2 Stars
From the Book Reviewer's Desk 