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FBOM
Alternate Cover Edition can be found here.
Internationally award-winning author EM Bosso’s bestselling novel of intrigue, vengeance, retribution and salvation. A noir tour de force of the aftermath of sexual assault and male privilege woven skillfully into a story that will leave you breathless. Frequently described as: Law & Order SVU meets Death Wish.
When a man’s daughter takes her own life in the aftermath of being raped at college, Michael Carson creates The Foundation to bring help and justice to victims of sexual assault and retribution to those who commit these heinous acts.
Let the Foundation for the Betterment of Man take you, the reader, on a dark journey that sheds light on the rape culture that is pervasive in today’s society while layering the economic disparity that lies beneath the power centers that rule our legal system.
You may emotionally survive the novel, but you will never look at the world the same.
FBoM is an issue-oriented, fast-paced and thought-provoking novel that is timely and relevant. EM Bosso has created complex characters, and his gritty writing makes for an extremely compelling read that you simply won’t be able to put down.
PRAISE for FBoM - The Foundation:
*****Every so often, I come across a book that blows all that monotony out of the water...I have to say that this one eclipsed them all.
*****The fine line between appropriate punishment for heinous crimes and vengeance was explored skillfully while the underlying romance storyline was not forgotten.
*****A dark, disturbing novel that everyone should read - men and women. [It] makes you think and question your own morals and priorities, hence the five stars.
*****A powerful and sometimes deeply disturbing story as it deals with the reality of abuse, the consequences and the need for retribution. Complex characters and writing that felt raw and real. A book I won't easily forget.
Internationally award-winning author EM Bosso’s bestselling novel of intrigue, vengeance, retribution and salvation. A noir tour de force of the aftermath of sexual assault and male privilege woven skillfully into a story that will leave you breathless. Frequently described as: Law & Order SVU meets Death Wish.
When a man’s daughter takes her own life in the aftermath of being raped at college, Michael Carson creates The Foundation to bring help and justice to victims of sexual assault and retribution to those who commit these heinous acts.
Let the Foundation for the Betterment of Man take you, the reader, on a dark journey that sheds light on the rape culture that is pervasive in today’s society while layering the economic disparity that lies beneath the power centers that rule our legal system.
You may emotionally survive the novel, but you will never look at the world the same.
FBoM is an issue-oriented, fast-paced and thought-provoking novel that is timely and relevant. EM Bosso has created complex characters, and his gritty writing makes for an extremely compelling read that you simply won’t be able to put down.
PRAISE for FBoM - The Foundation:
*****Every so often, I come across a book that blows all that monotony out of the water...I have to say that this one eclipsed them all.
*****The fine line between appropriate punishment for heinous crimes and vengeance was explored skillfully while the underlying romance storyline was not forgotten.
*****A dark, disturbing novel that everyone should read - men and women. [It] makes you think and question your own morals and priorities, hence the five stars.
*****A powerful and sometimes deeply disturbing story as it deals with the reality of abuse, the consequences and the need for retribution. Complex characters and writing that felt raw and real. A book I won't easily forget.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2016
About the author
E.M. Bosso
6 books54 followersThe Life and times of EM Bosso:
EM Bosso has always loved writing, so the story goes, but until recently his life went on a myriad of odd and strange directions. This may well account for his unique perceptions and ability to build characters that relate on an emotional level.
His first true writing endeavor, although loved and locally a success, caused much pain for his parents as they sat in the high school dean’s office trying to explain that underground newspapers are covered under the first amendment and that censorship should be frowned upon. Sadly, civil rights such as freedom of speech end at the High School doorway when you are only 17.
Undaunted, but really more focused on a budding baseball career, EM continued to practice his writing skills on any lovely lady that would accept his literary attention. For what greater purpose is the written language than to woo women?
The path from love letters to a full blown novel was wrought with false trails and roadblocks. His path took him from a shoulder injury that ended his baseball dreams to a varied number of unique but questionable jobs and of course marriage and children.
Where do his idea and beliefs come from? During his varied careers he has been a shoe salesman, nuts and bolts stacker, telephone company representative, computer system designer, youth minister, lobbyist for disabled Americans, business banker, VP for a large US bank, stock broker and an independent financial advisor. All of which built a knowledge base of human behavior and experience that becomes grist for believable and relatable characters.
If you ever sit down and have the opportunity to ask EM Bosso why he writes (strongly recommend you bring him a strong cup of coffee if you want him to like you) you’ll find the answer has little to do with money or sales. He’ll proudly tell you one of his greatest accomplishments came from his first novel SMAFU (Situation Married All F’d Up) when he received his first reader email. When a “fan” took the time to thank him for writing a book that quite possibly saved her marriage he knew the book was a success even if it never sold another copy.
His Novel FBoM (Foundation for the Betterment of Man) from the Eyes of Justice series is making waves and starting conversations. He deals with a topic as sensitive as rape in a very graphic and honest way. It’s brutal and in your face; it makes you feel the emotions and fears, the anger and shame, and hopefully make you talk and take action. When you finish a novel by EM Bosso, he hopes you were entertained, but more importantly… he hopes he has made a positive change in your life.
EM Bosso has always loved writing, so the story goes, but until recently his life went on a myriad of odd and strange directions. This may well account for his unique perceptions and ability to build characters that relate on an emotional level.
His first true writing endeavor, although loved and locally a success, caused much pain for his parents as they sat in the high school dean’s office trying to explain that underground newspapers are covered under the first amendment and that censorship should be frowned upon. Sadly, civil rights such as freedom of speech end at the High School doorway when you are only 17.
Undaunted, but really more focused on a budding baseball career, EM continued to practice his writing skills on any lovely lady that would accept his literary attention. For what greater purpose is the written language than to woo women?
The path from love letters to a full blown novel was wrought with false trails and roadblocks. His path took him from a shoulder injury that ended his baseball dreams to a varied number of unique but questionable jobs and of course marriage and children.
Where do his idea and beliefs come from? During his varied careers he has been a shoe salesman, nuts and bolts stacker, telephone company representative, computer system designer, youth minister, lobbyist for disabled Americans, business banker, VP for a large US bank, stock broker and an independent financial advisor. All of which built a knowledge base of human behavior and experience that becomes grist for believable and relatable characters.
If you ever sit down and have the opportunity to ask EM Bosso why he writes (strongly recommend you bring him a strong cup of coffee if you want him to like you) you’ll find the answer has little to do with money or sales. He’ll proudly tell you one of his greatest accomplishments came from his first novel SMAFU (Situation Married All F’d Up) when he received his first reader email. When a “fan” took the time to thank him for writing a book that quite possibly saved her marriage he knew the book was a success even if it never sold another copy.
His Novel FBoM (Foundation for the Betterment of Man) from the Eyes of Justice series is making waves and starting conversations. He deals with a topic as sensitive as rape in a very graphic and honest way. It’s brutal and in your face; it makes you feel the emotions and fears, the anger and shame, and hopefully make you talk and take action. When you finish a novel by EM Bosso, he hopes you were entertained, but more importantly… he hopes he has made a positive change in your life.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 30, 2018
Full disclosure at the outset: the author contacted me earlier this year, pretty much out of the blue, and offered me a chance to read a free review copy of one of his books (with no guarantees about what the result would be). To be honest, I wasn't too sure about this one; the title was off-putting (more about that below) and the subject matter --sexual violence-- not appealing. But my interactions with the author, and reading some reviews, convinced me that the intentions behind his writing were constructive, and that the book deserved a chance (especially knowing, as a fellow indie/small press author myself, how difficult it is to get a chance from readers and reviewers in a glutted market). My rating had to be earned, and didn't come easily; but it should be emphasized that unlike three and four stars in Goodreads' scale, five doesn't necessarily express a greater degree of reading pleasure. (Indeed, nobody but the Marquis de Sade would derive much pleasure from some passages here.) But five stars does express a recognition that the book is in some sense amazing; and this one ultimately amazes in a positive sense.
As some writers before him have done (David Wittlinger in his Brianna series comes to mind, as does Leann Neal Reilly in Saint Sebastian's Head and The Last Stratiote) Bosso here takes on the festering social sore of rampant sexual violence and exploitation in our culture, directed primarily against women, from a perspective that doesn't view it as cool and acceptable; but he's not a clone of any other writer, and approaches the subject in his own way. He also takes an honest, in-depth look at the moral issues of vigilante justice, in a society where justice for the victims is quite routinely denied by a flawed system. These issues are treated in the thoughts and conversations of the characters, rather than through authorial preaching, and the reader senses neither root-and-branch condemnation nor facile glorification, but something more nuanced. (There's a very real recognition that repeated exaction of vengeance can have devastating emotional consequences; and I think most readers would recognize that much of the vengeance exacted here is as, or nearly as, morally objectionable as the original crime.)
Because of the subject matter, this book needs multiple trigger warnings (which the author himself provides). There are numerous references to rapes, other forced sexual acts, and drug-assisted sexual exploitation; three of these (depending on how you count --one horrible experience involved multiple acts) are described fairly explicitly by victims recollecting them. We have no real directly described non-sexual violence, but numerous passing references to it, sometimes of a very sadistic nature and not conjuring very pleasant images. Also, there are heartbreaking descriptions of the practice of "cutting" (that is, inflicting blood-drawing cuts, burns, etc. on one's own body to gain some kind of distorted psychological release). Techniques such as journal entries bring us into the heads of victims of sexual violence and abuse, so that we can fully see and feel the emotional damage they've suffered, both from their abusers and from the rampant victim-blaming in the society around them (including from those in positions of authority). But none of this content is any more graphic than it has to be to expose the reader to the fact that what we're dealing with here is radically evil; and none of the material is in any sense presented in a titillating fashion. At the same time, Bosso tells an extremely gripping story about human beings I came to care about intensely, and the quality of suspense and emotional engagement he evokes is quite high.
From my own Christian perspective, the problem goes deeper than the issue of simply "consent," which I think secular society focuses on to excuse "consensual" sexual exploitation which has no more genuine respect for women, as anything but sex objects, than that shown by rapists. For Christians (and other morally-minded persons) sexual union is the expression of a loving life partnership that calls for total commitment and mutual caring; and explicit marriage vows are seen as a pre-condition for this, not as a prudish quibble, but as a Divinely-appointed way of ensuring that both partners understand, and take seriously, the nature of their partnership. But while this book doesn't approach the subject in Christian terms, I didn't necessarily sense any authorial antagonism to that perspective. Bosso does depict a premarital (though loving) relationship that starts with a sexual seduction of a man by a woman; but her motives are as much therapeutic as carnal, and I was able to take this more as a recognition that, in a flawed world, human actions often involve shades of gray than as a wholesale advocacy of promiscuous premarital sex.
Although the title is a conscious play on the term "f-bomb," it actually refers to the acronym for the fictional organization Foundation for the Betterment Of Man; the book is not, per se, about the f-word. Characters do, however, use it in dialogue, journal entries, etc. with some frequency. Of course, in some cases it's used by lowlifes (rapists and sexual abusers, Mafia thugs, most American politicians) or by persons from certain sub-cultural contexts where it's pervasive, and so can be argued to be realistic. But it's dragged into the speaking style of virtually every character here; and it's even used in a context where sexual sharing is described in terms that are otherwise sensitive and even lyrical, so that it's particularly jarring there. This is not simply a snobbish disdain on the part of Francophone Norman nobles for a Germanic-derived English word as "vulgar." True, in 1018, the term would have been simply a neutral one for the sex act. In 2018, though, it's taken on connotations of exploitative sex without respect (in keeping with its use as a curse), and is often thrown into contexts that have nothing to do with sex in order to inject an obscene image. (If a single-word verb for wholesome sex is needed, the Hebrew usage of "know," --in the sense of truly know, with a no-holds-barred totality of communion-- would be a lot better choice.) So I deducted a half-star for this, though I rounded up in the end.
After the novel itself, the book has an appendix of material on our current epidemic of sexual abuse, including an excerpt from a Dept. of Justice report, that provide some genuinely harrowing statistics, and an extensive list of resources for victims (and even some for abusers who want to change and need help). In the e-book format, of course, these are clickable.
This is not a pleasant, feel-good read, and not recommended as light fluff. But I think it could be enlightening and consciousness raising for many readers, and I would recommend it for that reason.
As some writers before him have done (David Wittlinger in his Brianna series comes to mind, as does Leann Neal Reilly in Saint Sebastian's Head and The Last Stratiote) Bosso here takes on the festering social sore of rampant sexual violence and exploitation in our culture, directed primarily against women, from a perspective that doesn't view it as cool and acceptable; but he's not a clone of any other writer, and approaches the subject in his own way. He also takes an honest, in-depth look at the moral issues of vigilante justice, in a society where justice for the victims is quite routinely denied by a flawed system. These issues are treated in the thoughts and conversations of the characters, rather than through authorial preaching, and the reader senses neither root-and-branch condemnation nor facile glorification, but something more nuanced. (There's a very real recognition that repeated exaction of vengeance can have devastating emotional consequences; and I think most readers would recognize that much of the vengeance exacted here is as, or nearly as, morally objectionable as the original crime.)
Because of the subject matter, this book needs multiple trigger warnings (which the author himself provides). There are numerous references to rapes, other forced sexual acts, and drug-assisted sexual exploitation; three of these (depending on how you count --one horrible experience involved multiple acts) are described fairly explicitly by victims recollecting them. We have no real directly described non-sexual violence, but numerous passing references to it, sometimes of a very sadistic nature and not conjuring very pleasant images. Also, there are heartbreaking descriptions of the practice of "cutting" (that is, inflicting blood-drawing cuts, burns, etc. on one's own body to gain some kind of distorted psychological release). Techniques such as journal entries bring us into the heads of victims of sexual violence and abuse, so that we can fully see and feel the emotional damage they've suffered, both from their abusers and from the rampant victim-blaming in the society around them (including from those in positions of authority). But none of this content is any more graphic than it has to be to expose the reader to the fact that what we're dealing with here is radically evil; and none of the material is in any sense presented in a titillating fashion. At the same time, Bosso tells an extremely gripping story about human beings I came to care about intensely, and the quality of suspense and emotional engagement he evokes is quite high.
From my own Christian perspective, the problem goes deeper than the issue of simply "consent," which I think secular society focuses on to excuse "consensual" sexual exploitation which has no more genuine respect for women, as anything but sex objects, than that shown by rapists. For Christians (and other morally-minded persons) sexual union is the expression of a loving life partnership that calls for total commitment and mutual caring; and explicit marriage vows are seen as a pre-condition for this, not as a prudish quibble, but as a Divinely-appointed way of ensuring that both partners understand, and take seriously, the nature of their partnership. But while this book doesn't approach the subject in Christian terms, I didn't necessarily sense any authorial antagonism to that perspective. Bosso does depict a premarital (though loving) relationship that starts with a sexual seduction of a man by a woman; but her motives are as much therapeutic as carnal, and I was able to take this more as a recognition that, in a flawed world, human actions often involve shades of gray than as a wholesale advocacy of promiscuous premarital sex.
Although the title is a conscious play on the term "f-bomb," it actually refers to the acronym for the fictional organization Foundation for the Betterment Of Man; the book is not, per se, about the f-word. Characters do, however, use it in dialogue, journal entries, etc. with some frequency. Of course, in some cases it's used by lowlifes (rapists and sexual abusers, Mafia thugs, most American politicians) or by persons from certain sub-cultural contexts where it's pervasive, and so can be argued to be realistic. But it's dragged into the speaking style of virtually every character here; and it's even used in a context where sexual sharing is described in terms that are otherwise sensitive and even lyrical, so that it's particularly jarring there. This is not simply a snobbish disdain on the part of Francophone Norman nobles for a Germanic-derived English word as "vulgar." True, in 1018, the term would have been simply a neutral one for the sex act. In 2018, though, it's taken on connotations of exploitative sex without respect (in keeping with its use as a curse), and is often thrown into contexts that have nothing to do with sex in order to inject an obscene image. (If a single-word verb for wholesome sex is needed, the Hebrew usage of "know," --in the sense of truly know, with a no-holds-barred totality of communion-- would be a lot better choice.) So I deducted a half-star for this, though I rounded up in the end.
After the novel itself, the book has an appendix of material on our current epidemic of sexual abuse, including an excerpt from a Dept. of Justice report, that provide some genuinely harrowing statistics, and an extensive list of resources for victims (and even some for abusers who want to change and need help). In the e-book format, of course, these are clickable.
This is not a pleasant, feel-good read, and not recommended as light fluff. But I think it could be enlightening and consciousness raising for many readers, and I would recommend it for that reason.
July 30, 2019
Okay this is definitely not a romance. And it is very very dark. I had a hard time rating this because I loved, loved, loved the prequel. I wanted more of Bradley and the totally evil Winston. And I wanted to know how the son turned out. Well you read about the son in the first few chapters but the story wasn't about him. Winston is in there but not like before and Bradley is mentioned two or three times and is not a main character. So I am not sure you need to read the prequel at all because it almost made me a little disappointed in this 1st novel of the series. And this book is good, really good. But it just isn't as good to me as the prequel. That was totally amazing.
But I really liked this book too. It is about a covert foundation that supports victims of abuse and rape. They are judge and jury for the victims and they exact punishment/retribution on the abusers. it is definitely NOT for the feint of heart and it has big triggers for abuse, rape, assault, and suicide. At the end of the novel, their is a section of places where the above people can get help. I liked that because it was hard to read at times. But I liked the vigilante justice, and you felt the main characters pain and doubt and his descent into madness. I loved Susan, who helps run the foundation, but the ending is so vague it left me faintly uneasy. I would like to know what happened to them. I hope that is explored in further novels but I am not sure if there's going to be more. I hope so.
I don't want to give too much away because I don't want to spoil the story but it really was good and I am invested in the story.
Again for my romance friends, this is definitely not a romance (although there is one in the book) and be warned about the graphic punishment prose in the story. But like I said, I must have a little bit of vigilante in me. Think Charles Bronson in Deathwish.
Now the part where the main character goes rogue and off the rails, is really gruesome but you don't see the scenes really, he just describes what is going to happen in horrific detail.
Very compelling read.
But I really liked this book too. It is about a covert foundation that supports victims of abuse and rape. They are judge and jury for the victims and they exact punishment/retribution on the abusers. it is definitely NOT for the feint of heart and it has big triggers for abuse, rape, assault, and suicide. At the end of the novel, their is a section of places where the above people can get help. I liked that because it was hard to read at times. But I liked the vigilante justice, and you felt the main characters pain and doubt and his descent into madness. I loved Susan, who helps run the foundation, but the ending is so vague it left me faintly uneasy. I would like to know what happened to them. I hope that is explored in further novels but I am not sure if there's going to be more. I hope so.
I don't want to give too much away because I don't want to spoil the story but it really was good and I am invested in the story.
Again for my romance friends, this is definitely not a romance (although there is one in the book) and be warned about the graphic punishment prose in the story. But like I said, I must have a little bit of vigilante in me. Think Charles Bronson in Deathwish.
Now the part where the main character goes rogue and off the rails, is really gruesome but you don't see the scenes really, he just describes what is going to happen in horrific detail.
Very compelling read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2016
I read a lot of books. Sometimes it can be a bit samey as I tend to stick to similar genre / styles but then, every so often, I come across a book that blows all that monotony out of the water. I have read a few like that this year but I have to say that this one eclipsed them all.
Please do pay attention to the author's warning in the blurb. This book pulls no punches. It is brutal, it is graphic, it is definitely hard hitting and even if, like me, you haven't been personally affected by abuse in any form, you will probably be touched in some way. I say all this, but I also have to say that even though it is very graphic, the subjects covered are done so in a sensitive way. It is by no means exaggerated for shock tactic sake.
In general, I am not really in favour of vigilante retribution but the ethos was so well presented in this book that even I started to question my own morals. It was definitely very thought provoking. The motivations of those involved, their stories were such that their subsequent behaviour became totally understandable even if I can't quite bring myself to totally condone it.
The characters all came across as totally believable. This I think is harder to do with complex, wounded people as they tend to be inconsistent by nature but here the author does a spot on job of making each one credible and believable. I also loved the way that the characters developed through the book, especially as some of them went in vastly differing directions.
The other thing I really did like, but admit that it did initially take a bit of getting used to, is the author's writing style. He uses various methods to tell the story both in the present day and in flashback, he also uses diary entries which I always love as they are good ways of providing information in a succinct, efficient way.
The story went on at quite a pace. I read the first 15% or so one evening and then the rest of the book in one sitting next day. To say it grabbed me and wouldn't let up would be an understatement. Even now, a few days after finishing, I am still thinking about it and probably will for a little while yet.
By the looks of things, this is the start of a series. I am definitely going to get the next one when it's out. I might even have a sniff around anything else this author has written cos, once I got into it, I really loved the way he writes.
Thanks to the brilliant TBConFB for the free ARC of this book in exchange for this my honest review.
Please do pay attention to the author's warning in the blurb. This book pulls no punches. It is brutal, it is graphic, it is definitely hard hitting and even if, like me, you haven't been personally affected by abuse in any form, you will probably be touched in some way. I say all this, but I also have to say that even though it is very graphic, the subjects covered are done so in a sensitive way. It is by no means exaggerated for shock tactic sake.
In general, I am not really in favour of vigilante retribution but the ethos was so well presented in this book that even I started to question my own morals. It was definitely very thought provoking. The motivations of those involved, their stories were such that their subsequent behaviour became totally understandable even if I can't quite bring myself to totally condone it.
The characters all came across as totally believable. This I think is harder to do with complex, wounded people as they tend to be inconsistent by nature but here the author does a spot on job of making each one credible and believable. I also loved the way that the characters developed through the book, especially as some of them went in vastly differing directions.
The other thing I really did like, but admit that it did initially take a bit of getting used to, is the author's writing style. He uses various methods to tell the story both in the present day and in flashback, he also uses diary entries which I always love as they are good ways of providing information in a succinct, efficient way.
The story went on at quite a pace. I read the first 15% or so one evening and then the rest of the book in one sitting next day. To say it grabbed me and wouldn't let up would be an understatement. Even now, a few days after finishing, I am still thinking about it and probably will for a little while yet.
By the looks of things, this is the start of a series. I am definitely going to get the next one when it's out. I might even have a sniff around anything else this author has written cos, once I got into it, I really loved the way he writes.
Thanks to the brilliant TBConFB for the free ARC of this book in exchange for this my honest review.
June 28, 2017
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading FBOM, but it kept me hooked from beginning to end.
At first I thought it was going to be a pretty brutal thriller throughout, but then the development of the characters provided context and led to an understanding of the motives for their actions. The fine line between appropriate punishment for heinous crimes and vengeance was explored skillfully while the underlying romance storyline was not forgotten alongside the primary plot.
The story does involve sexual assault, which the author describes with incredible insight into the psychology of the victims, exploring feelings of guilt and confusion following an assault.
Altogether I have been blown away by this and give it a rare 5*. This is an important subject handled sensitively while still being a thrilling novel - everyone should read this book.
At first I thought it was going to be a pretty brutal thriller throughout, but then the development of the characters provided context and led to an understanding of the motives for their actions. The fine line between appropriate punishment for heinous crimes and vengeance was explored skillfully while the underlying romance storyline was not forgotten alongside the primary plot.
The story does involve sexual assault, which the author describes with incredible insight into the psychology of the victims, exploring feelings of guilt and confusion following an assault.
Altogether I have been blown away by this and give it a rare 5*. This is an important subject handled sensitively while still being a thrilling novel - everyone should read this book.
September 5, 2019
A well written, thought provoking read. I'm a sucker for a good Anti-Hero and Michael fits the bill. It doesn't hurt that he shares the name of a beloved protagonist of my own writings. Reading the diary of his daughter toward the end of the book is heartbreaking but it serves the author well, as he attaches a name, face, personality, dreams and ambitions to a young woman, whose suicide defined the man Michael became; his grief and rage are palpable. There is a chapter called "Fairy Tales" early on that seemed so blatantly out of place to me. Only to realize later on that Bosso pulled the wool over my eyes and it is quite necessary. As usual, I'm not one to rehash the synopsis or delve into plot; you can read the blurb and other reviews for that. I focus on the writing and the storytelling, both of which merit 5 stars.
August 7, 2016
Fbom By EM Bosso is a fast paced, but dark and brutal read.
There is no pain like the loss of a child. When that pain can be directed at one group, in the hands of a dark and brilliant zealot, there are no prisoners.
This is the story of one such man, the woman who loves him, the detective who hates him, and the country girl who understands him far too well.
Fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
I loved the story and the characters.
I loved Michael.
He was my favourite character.
I didn't want to finish this book.
highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to tbc on fb for the arc.
#tbconfb.
There is no pain like the loss of a child. When that pain can be directed at one group, in the hands of a dark and brilliant zealot, there are no prisoners.
This is the story of one such man, the woman who loves him, the detective who hates him, and the country girl who understands him far too well.
Fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
I loved the story and the characters.
I loved Michael.
He was my favourite character.
I didn't want to finish this book.
highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to tbc on fb for the arc.
#tbconfb.
August 16, 2016
http://noemptyshelveshere.blogspot.co...
FBOM is your perfect charity organisation, helping victims of sexual abuse back on their feet with all sorts of brilliant support. Created by a father, who lost his own daughter to consequences of rape, the organisation helps hundreds of victims in their fight to get their lives back on track.
However there is a darker side to FBOM. A side of judgement, retribution, persecution and punishment which, at first, I thought was a marvellous idea. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if victims always got the justice they deserved and their perpetrator was punished in an eye for eye fashion?
However, as cliched as it sounds, the road to evil in a slippery slope. As the judge or the person giving out punishment – what do you become? Are you any better than them? Where does the just punishment stop and anger driven revenge start. It seems to be a fine line for Michael, the Charity's founder, breaking the punishment laws of the very organisation he build to protect people from violence.
This is a dark, disturbing novel that everyone should read - men and women. It's very well written in a past/present style that I found easy to follow. This novel makes you think and question your own moral and priorities, hence the five stars I have given it.
Thank you to the E.M. Bosso and TBC for access to this book in return for this honest opinion.
FBOM is your perfect charity organisation, helping victims of sexual abuse back on their feet with all sorts of brilliant support. Created by a father, who lost his own daughter to consequences of rape, the organisation helps hundreds of victims in their fight to get their lives back on track.
However there is a darker side to FBOM. A side of judgement, retribution, persecution and punishment which, at first, I thought was a marvellous idea. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if victims always got the justice they deserved and their perpetrator was punished in an eye for eye fashion?
However, as cliched as it sounds, the road to evil in a slippery slope. As the judge or the person giving out punishment – what do you become? Are you any better than them? Where does the just punishment stop and anger driven revenge start. It seems to be a fine line for Michael, the Charity's founder, breaking the punishment laws of the very organisation he build to protect people from violence.
This is a dark, disturbing novel that everyone should read - men and women. It's very well written in a past/present style that I found easy to follow. This novel makes you think and question your own moral and priorities, hence the five stars I have given it.
Thank you to the E.M. Bosso and TBC for access to this book in return for this honest opinion.
August 4, 2016
Thank you to TBC and EM Bosso for allowing me to read the ARC of this book for free in return for an honest review.
Firstly, if you're looking for a good read that is light hearted and fluffy around the edges, then this is not the book for you.
Hard hitting and brutally honest this is not for the faint hearted.It is driven by emotion and the power to overcome trauma of the worst kind.
Confidence can be shaken so easily, the smallest of happenings can make you question your self worth, so when something so brutal happens you question everything, you feel worthless.
Empowerment is the key to leaving the pain behind and that is where FBOM comes in. Started by Micheal, this charity aims to guide
and empower women and give retribution to those who deserve far worse.
Powerful and brilliant. If you feel able to deal with what's inside then you should read it, I loved it
August 5, 2016
I was offered this ARC by TBC for free in return for an honest review.
This had me hooked from the start. It was dark, brutal and difficult to read at times due to the nature of the subject matter. However, this just made the book even more powerful by drawing you in to the lives of the victims, the perpetrators and their wider families. The story centres around Michael, who set up a charity following the rape and subsequent suicide of his own daughter.
It is obvious the author has researched the subject thoroughly and this is backed up in the Appendix at the end which, itself was very interesting to read. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. Superb.
This had me hooked from the start. It was dark, brutal and difficult to read at times due to the nature of the subject matter. However, this just made the book even more powerful by drawing you in to the lives of the victims, the perpetrators and their wider families. The story centres around Michael, who set up a charity following the rape and subsequent suicide of his own daughter.
It is obvious the author has researched the subject thoroughly and this is backed up in the Appendix at the end which, itself was very interesting to read. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. Superb.
August 21, 2016
I was given this book to review from the author. I will say that the storyline is hard going at times due to the nature of the book. But it's an insight to what happens and who is out there to help.
Took me a while to get into the book and ended up reading it on my phone as the quotes wasn't looking right on my kindle. It's one man's mission to clear the scum off the earth with his Foundation. I found it really eye-opening into what happens when people go vigilante and the help that is out there for victims.
Took me a while to get into the book and ended up reading it on my phone as the quotes wasn't looking right on my kindle. It's one man's mission to clear the scum off the earth with his Foundation. I found it really eye-opening into what happens when people go vigilante and the help that is out there for victims.
September 8, 2016
I couldn’t put this book down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how the characters would evolve and overcome what was thrown at them. The characters are well rounded and complex having their good and bad sides, overcoming trauma is never easy- be prepared for very strong emotions. The book approaches a very actual problem and it is a very good tool to bring attention to it. As more people get conscious about the issue the closer we will get to an eventual solution. Thank you very much Mr. Bosso for the copy provided.
August 2, 2016
I was given the chance to read this arc through #tbconfb for an honest review.
this book dealt with one of the hardest subjects that can be. this book shows so much character growth and has a very emotional drive
the writing style moved from past to present which is sometimes hard to handle. It was well written in that style and made the emotional impact even stronger
this book dealt with one of the hardest subjects that can be. this book shows so much character growth and has a very emotional drive
the writing style moved from past to present which is sometimes hard to handle. It was well written in that style and made the emotional impact even stronger
August 22, 2016
Thought provoking, well paced and some really believable characters. I loved how the bleakness of Alicia's situation was portrayed through her diary and how that was woven through the story of her father's strive for justice and retribution uncomfortable reading at times but welll worth it - recommended 4 stars
November 1, 2016
When I first got this to read and review from THE Book Club on facebook, I honestly didn't know what to expect from it. I read so many books I wasn't sure that this one would be one to stick with me, well I was wrong, this book is so dark, somewhat disturbing, and a real page turner, I was hooked from the first chapter and loved it. Everyone should read FBOM x
August 23, 2016
"Let me tell you a story..."
We all have secrets, it might be secret book purchases, or a parking ticket you don't want your partner to find out about. But this is the story of men that have much bigger secrets and how they'll pay to keep them that way...
We all have secrets, it might be secret book purchases, or a parking ticket you don't want your partner to find out about. But this is the story of men that have much bigger secrets and how they'll pay to keep them that way...
August 12, 2016
This is a raw, emotional I can't put it down book! Won't give any spoilers, but I really want to read the next book in the series. Please hurry up and write it E M Bosso!
September 2, 2016
Dark, thought provoking, fast paced. Not for those of a sensitive nature, well written with believable characters. Thanks to TBConFB and Em Bosso for the ARC copy. A great book.
August 11, 2018
I have probably thought more about this review than any other and actually woke in the night ( not having finished the book then ) thinking of how I would review it!
The bones of the book are that a man ( Michael ) sets up the Foundation for the Betterment of Men after his daughter kills herself after being raped, the Foundation then ‘takes’ abusers ( of men and women ) and meets out its own justice to these rapists and abusers and in a way they see fit using the ‘eye for an eye’ system.....it is a very dark story and graphic and at times uncomfortable but then rape and abuse is not a subject that can evoke anything but these things
The book switches from victims
and perps and families and Michael and his co ‘owner’ of the Foundation ( Susan ) and at times the story does get a bit complex as you go between these stories
Its interesting to see how Michael moves into the realms of devil instead of saviour as the responsibility and pressure of what he is doing takes over.....but will say no more on that as thats part of the story!!
Having finished 13 Reasons Why series 2 last weekend a lot of the book seemed to echo parts of this series that there is a real problem
on college/uni campuses ( a very in depth appendix at the end with statistics and reports proves this ) and the fact the book is built on true stories also backs this up ( that constantly makes you think when reading the harrowing descriptions)
There is ample warning at the beginning to make sure anyone who could be affected or triggered by the book understands the nature of the book and.a massive resource section at the end which IMO should be given to every young person everywhere!
The authors writing style took me a while to adjust to re the differing narratives but I can only commend him for tackling such an important and sadly massive issue
An emotional, at times draining book but one that will stay with you and I will read Book 2 to see what happens to the Foundation
Its not a perfect book ( which book is ) BUT It is impossible not to give the book a rating of 10 and 5 stars for having the bottle of tackling these issues and in the way it has been handled
December 24, 2018
I’ve got lots of good things to write about this book. The plot is a touchy one – how to get true justice for survivors of sexual assault. The story is not a pretty one or a nice one. Being uncomfortable with that type of story is about the only reason to avoid the book, however. Even still, the reader should consider giving it a read. Sexual assault is a real problem, especially for young women. As we all know, avoiding problems won’t make them go away.
The author’s story is an interesting take on what to do about the issue. Is the answer justice, prevention, healing for the victims, or a measure of all three? The diary at the end was the best part for me, and a strong ending is a plus for any book. I’ll write no more for fear of ruining the plot.
Maybe naming one main character Michael was a little too obvious. There were a couple characters whose background I hoped to learn more about in this book. Perhaps that will come out in book two—we’ll see when I get a chance to read that one. Pretty minor issues, however, all things considered.
I’d give this book a good recommendation. Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but I'll go with 5 thanks to the strong ending. As this series develops it’s one to keep an eye on.
The author’s story is an interesting take on what to do about the issue. Is the answer justice, prevention, healing for the victims, or a measure of all three? The diary at the end was the best part for me, and a strong ending is a plus for any book. I’ll write no more for fear of ruining the plot.
Maybe naming one main character Michael was a little too obvious. There were a couple characters whose background I hoped to learn more about in this book. Perhaps that will come out in book two—we’ll see when I get a chance to read that one. Pretty minor issues, however, all things considered.
I’d give this book a good recommendation. Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but I'll go with 5 thanks to the strong ending. As this series develops it’s one to keep an eye on.
September 29, 2016
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest opinion.
What happens to the victims of sexual abuse? Who will offer them help to get them through the most difficult time of their lives? Is it even possible for everyone to get through this trauma?
Main character Michael -driven by a personal loss- decides to tackle the problem and sets up a charity to help such people move forward with their lives. However, he takes a different approach and offers revenge as a solution. His journey throughout the story in search of justice makes for a dark, somewhat disturbing book that is a must read in my opinion.
EM Bosso deals with a very delicate subject, one that is still a taboo for many people and he paints a very realistic picture. It's a real eye-opener; a Law and Order SVU meets Death Wish kind of novel.
Highly recommended!
What happens to the victims of sexual abuse? Who will offer them help to get them through the most difficult time of their lives? Is it even possible for everyone to get through this trauma?
Main character Michael -driven by a personal loss- decides to tackle the problem and sets up a charity to help such people move forward with their lives. However, he takes a different approach and offers revenge as a solution. His journey throughout the story in search of justice makes for a dark, somewhat disturbing book that is a must read in my opinion.
EM Bosso deals with a very delicate subject, one that is still a taboo for many people and he paints a very realistic picture. It's a real eye-opener; a Law and Order SVU meets Death Wish kind of novel.
Highly recommended!
November 22, 2017
I've had to take a couple of days to think about this review. To be honest I struggled a little to start with but after a few pages I was hooked. Michael's life changed in a heartbeat when his daughter was raped. He starts a charity organisation to support women who have been victims of rape and abuse. The work they do is amazing but it has a very dark side to it which I agree with, I don't mind admitting. I thought it would be more graphic but it has been very sensitively and well written. It is hard reading at times but the author draws you in and I take my hat off to the author for tackling such a terrible subject. I recommend you give this book a try, I'm sure you will love it as much as I did. Unforgettable book for sure. 5 stars.
September 3, 2016
FBOM
This is one of those books that should come with a warning label...it's definitely not for the faint hearted!! It's hard hitting, dark and brutal.
The pain of losing a child cannot be compared, Michael knows this pain and directs it into the charity he set up following the rape and subsequent suicide of his daughter. However this is a 'charity' unlike no other, they're out to avenge!
I won't say any more for risk of spoilers but know that this is a powerful and sometimes uncomfortable read that I TOTALLY recommend!!
With many thanks to EM Bosso and TBC for and ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5* from me.
This is one of those books that should come with a warning label...it's definitely not for the faint hearted!! It's hard hitting, dark and brutal.
The pain of losing a child cannot be compared, Michael knows this pain and directs it into the charity he set up following the rape and subsequent suicide of his daughter. However this is a 'charity' unlike no other, they're out to avenge!
I won't say any more for risk of spoilers but know that this is a powerful and sometimes uncomfortable read that I TOTALLY recommend!!
With many thanks to EM Bosso and TBC for and ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5* from me.
April 30, 2017
I struggled with the beginning of this book, although I like a bit of gore I was overwhelmed. But as I read on and all the pieces fell into place, I was mesmerised. What an amazing book. Even more so because the author is male. It's so thoughtful and thought provoking, brilliant and clever. I ended up staying up into the wee, small hours of the morning to finish because I simply couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the next one now. A minimum of 5 stars and I highly recommend that everyone reads this book.
September 22, 2016
A must read. A very sad and somewhat dark book. Very fast paced and the characters are bought to life so cleverly and with fluid writing.
A truly evocative read.At first I would have said that someone who has been through the horrors of abuse may find it a difficult book. I actually believe it could be quite cathartic.
I think everyone could learn and take something positive from this book.
Such a good read and highly recommended
A truly evocative read.At first I would have said that someone who has been through the horrors of abuse may find it a difficult book. I actually believe it could be quite cathartic.
I think everyone could learn and take something positive from this book.
Such a good read and highly recommended
October 14, 2016
A powerful and sometimes deeply disturbing story as it deals with the reality of abuse, the consequences and the need for retribution.
Complex characters and writing that felt raw and real. A book I won't easily forget.
Complex characters and writing that felt raw and real. A book I won't easily forget.
April 18, 2017
Not my usual genre but it still packs a punch. I did not agree with the methods but well with the results. Very dark reading but I would recommend this book. I wonder what will happen in the sequel.
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January 5, 2021If you have experienced sexual violence you may this book challenging as it's very graphic in places. It is a dark and disturbing story about a father who has lost his daughter but his grief has gone to an extreme level and decides to take revenge on any man he finds accused of rape/sexual violence.
I am a survivor of rape and I was very disturbed by the story line as I don't want revenge on rapists or to inflict pain on them in the way that Michael does in the book because surely that would make me as bad as them?
I am a survivor of rape and I was very disturbed by the story line as I don't want revenge on rapists or to inflict pain on them in the way that Michael does in the book because surely that would make me as bad as them?
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