SNEAK PREVIEW: FIVE STAR: STARRED REVIEW: SMALL MOVING PARTS

Small Moving Parts: DB Jackson

Events happen that are often out of your control and sometimes they change the direction of your life in unexpected ways. Differences in age can often make relationships difficult but in this case one young boy named Dodger and a older man named Harley create a bond stronger than many father and sons. A decision that could have taken both of their lives if the end result that they hoped for came to fruition. Your life is worth more than all the money in the world but what happens when a young boy feels no one cares, his mother is too drunk and helpless to defend him and her boyfriend enjoyed abusing him both physically and verbally? Two complete strangers and one goal to end their lives but sometimes good comes from bad and even though you take fake into your own hands the end result just might surprise you as we get they join forces and become one on a single fateful night in West Texas and what happens is unbelievable, heartwarming and definitely the start of a great story about two lonely people who build on each other’s friendships and strengths as the author states: “The world is a complicated place with lots of small moving parts. When someone moves one part just a little, it causes all the other parts to move in ways we can’t see coming.”

Dodger and Harley decide to give it a try as he invites him to stay at least on his porch for the night until they can sort it all out. Realizing that Dodger/AKA Bodean Cleon Cooper, was in dire straits as he drove his mother’s boyfriend’s truck and was now in deep trouble if he got caught and the truck was destroyed. What Harley does that cements their friendship is remarkable and clever hoping that Eugene won’t ever find the remnants of the truck or realize Dodger took it to escape him. Things start to settle down as Dodger asks Harley to deliver him to his friend Bobby’s house hoping that Mr. and Mrs. Washington will allow him to stay there until he can decide what to do. Bobby and Dodger are like brothers and the author enlightens readers that people of different races and backgrounds can be friends but the issues of prejudice, discrimination, different kinds of abuse and the will to survive, stand up for yourself and hope are just some of what author D.B. Jackson brings to light. As Dodger becomes part of his life working to help fix his farm, his fences and do the tasks that need to be done since Harley is hiding a secret about himself that has yet to be revealed.

Things get dicey and more dangerous when someone dares to steal Harley’s precious horses and the Delgado brothers are the culprits. But, when Dodger and Harley decide to retaliate and take back what is there’s the end result is tragic.

Chief Flores is in charge along with Detective Spiotto investigating the death of Jorge Delgado. Was is an accident or murder? Dodger and Cain are the two main suspects and at the end of the interrogation the truth is still up in the air. Tensions rise, anger prevails and the Delgado family wants retribution and revenge for the death of one of their own but how and when will be revealed in time. Elena the daughter of this man seems taken with Dodger but reveals information about him to the police chief is she setting him up for a big fall?
With the world filled with discrimination in many ways this novel brings to light the importance of respect for others whether young or older and allows teens and adults to learn that age is just a number and that someone like Cain is sharp, smart and a strong force to be reckoned with. This is an important and powerful novel that teaches everyone that age discrimination is wrong.

The weapon in custody and a final decision made but a discussion ensued about the two bay horses, where they were before and after Cain took them back. In their world what is in your possession belongs to you even if you obtained it illegally whereas according to Cain not so. A statement made on page 131 by Flores sort of sums it up, makes readers wonder what will happen next as he states: It seems that several people are not telling the truth but who has yet to be revealed as Elena makes a call that will change the dynamics of it all.

Danger surrounds them but first the author reveals a secret that will remain hidden about Harley and the hope that he will be able to hide the truth from Dodger. Bobby and Dodger become even closer as friendship and loyalties are strong issues within this novel and many can learn from them. Told to stay out of Los Caminos by the police will Cain and Dodger adhere to the warnings but things get even more dangerous when someone is sent to take them out but why and where?

The police at times seems corrupt, horse thieves with no moral compass and killers that are relentless and a young boy named Dodger who wants to graduate high school, become a vet and never give up on himself. The vivid description of the terrain, the areas that they rode through and the tension they felt was tempered by their respect for each other and the fact that both Dodger and Cain realized that life is worth the risks and that somehow God intervened making sure they would bond and their lives would go on. Cain reveals information about his past, his son and his wife, which explains in part his affinity for wanting Dodger close to him. A night in the desert would follow and sleeping in paces that were uncomfortable in order to hide from those in pursuit and yet their will to survive never faded or faltered. When Cain contacts a close friend named Tarrant events to follow would become clear and his reason for asking him to handle certain situations would become apparent along the way. As Bobby and Dodger become even closer Eugene and his partner Rolando come out of the woodwork and danger is just a gunshot away. Thinking they were in the clear, laughing at their own stupidity and thinking they would win this round little did they know what would happen next. No witnesses to their misdeed would they skate, would they come after Dodger? An ending that is explosive and an unexpected ally just might surprise you as Dodger comes face to face with death and the end filled with tears, unexpected surprises and more will give readers a heartwarming and heartfelt feeling as the unbreakable bond between Dodger and Cain will either be severed or remain in tack as long as they both shall live. The epilogue sums it up but like all mysteries that you have to learn for yourself and understand that the small parts of life change direction and move in their own specific ways but in the end you the reader decide for yourself when you learn the fate of everyone, their final destinations and understand that each one of us falls prey to our own SMALL MOVING PARTS! Author D.B. Jackson hits high marks and deserves five golden stars for this outstanding novel starting off 2018.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine