Title: Not Today
Author: David E Feldman
Series: Dora’s Rage Book #1
Publisher: Eface Media
Genre: Crime Mystery, Action Thriller
First Publication: 2021
Language: English
Book Summary: Not Today by David E Feldman
Sanitation worker DORA ELLISON is a sweet, albeit freakishly strong woman who would never dream of personally investigating a murder. But when her beloved police Lt. Francesca “Franny” Hart is coaxed by a disguised voice on repeated phone calls to investigate a “murder that wasn’t a murder” and tragedy strikes, the enraged natural born fighter won’t let it stand … NOT TODAY – Dora’s Rage Series, Book 1.
Dora’s quest for justice reveals the source of rampant Beach City corruption, defended by a cabal that includes the killer behind the caller’s accusations, and their current brutal enforcer, who is every bit as enraged and wounded as Dora herself.
Fans of Jack Reacher, Eve Dallas and Lisbeth Salander will love Dora Ellison, whose childhood trauma fuels the rage she doles out to the monstrous, deserving few.
Book Review: Not Today by David E Feldman
Not Today, the first book in Dora’s Rage series by David Feldman, is an amazing book with descriptive characters and a well thought out plot. Dora Ellison, a sanitation worker, is a sweet, albeit freakishly strong woman who would never imagine herself investigating a murder. But someone with disguised voice on repeated calls persuaded Dora’s beloved police officer Francesca Hart to investigate a “murder that wasn’t a murder” and tragedy strikes, forcing Dora to react furiously.
In her quest for justice, Dora uncovers the source of widespread corruption in Beach City, which is being protected by a cabal including the murderer behind the caller’s allegations, as well as their current brutal enforcer who is just as enraged and hurt as Dora. So begins all the devilish and dramatic events that will lead to the disturbing and twisted discovery of just what exactly happened.
Dora is one of the complex and multi-faceted characterisations I’ve read this year; simply one of the assured, dynamic and breath taking debuts of a female character. She’s an astoundingly real and beautiful creation. Her toughness and intelligence makes her vulnerable in some ways. In addition to being a good investigator, her pursuit of justice and down-to-earth nature makes her more admirable. The investigation work is overtaking her life and I am glad that author David Feldman is dedicated to making it more difficult for her.
The book has never lost steam and is very well paced. It starts very slow, giving you time to adjust to the new setting and the characters that will be your companions for the rest of the book. Then it gradually throws plot twists and new challenges that need to be overcome. It never drags and it does a great job telling a story that is so close to the reality. Also it brings all the issues to a close and does not leave the reader hanging. By the end, you are on a rollercoaster and your hunger for clues and resolution comes to a climax. Every character has their own story and personal development that fits perfectly into the story. This is a very mature book, with themes that make you despair yet are handled so compassionately that you are never alienated.
All of the characters are very well developed and have concise yet character-defining lines which gives them substantial flesh. Things happen to them that will make you upset and angry, especially Dora, whose side story holds you enthralled and revolted at the same time, as does the truth about murder – but there’s nothing gratuitous here, or unnecessarily included or described: it’s all relevant. The pacing of the investigation is brilliant, with just enough snippets of information gradually uncovered to keep you hooked and guessing until the end.
One of the things I liked about author David Feldman when I first read this book is the kind of artlessness that he has about writing. There’s a naturalness to the way he tells the story as if the important thing is giving you the facts as expediently as possible. Of course, the facts of the story also include what he thinks is interesting about the characters’ thoughts, feelings, personal history. You get drawn in by this sense that author is being guided in his narration by an instinct.
Overall, Not Today is a mystery, and a thriller at times, and a detective book – but it’s also a political and moral commentary, has one of the original and daring heroines of the genre, and is invigorating in its details. Along with complicated, intricate, and intelligent plot, David Feldman’s journalistic prose makes it crisp and logical. Strong, realistic characters, crisp writing and a plot that keeps you guessing has me anxiously awaiting the next book in Dora’s Rage series. Highly recommended.
