Title: The Pact
Author: M. Louise Smith
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-0-5956-6619-5
Pages: 475
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Tara Mcnabb

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Murder and political conspiracy join forces in this thrilling adventure tale that pays homage to architecture’s illustrious history.

Frank McNeill is a young and talented architect just at the beginning of his promising career. Having just graduated from the University of Texas, he feels secure and confident knowing that he will be starting a new job at one of the most prestigious architectural firms in the country. Dashing, suave, and charming, Frank has no doubt whatsoever that everything will always work out in his favor. That is, until Ishmael shows up. When Ishmael happens to witness a secret event concerning Frank, everything becomes under threat. As Frank slowly realizes that his reputation is at stake, a sinister cat-and-mouse game ensues between Frank and Ishmael that has the potential to turn deadly. Will Frank’s secret destroy not just himself, but those he loves? How far is he willing to go to keep that secret from being exposed?

The story reads like a modern thriller, with delicious moments of tension and mysterious incidents that keep you guessing throughout. Dialogue is sharp and daring, completely in-line with the realistic portrayal of ambitious college kids who assume the world is their oyster: “We’re the adults now; we’re the ones who will be in charge of the future. We have to be strong.” There is a satisfying sense of new beginnings and diverse possibilities that can only come from youth, and it’s easy to relate with the characters when they are pondering their next move after graduation. Some look forward with hope and excitement, while others are more wary of what lies ahead. This uncertainty gives the narrative an interesting slant because we get to observe how the different personalities deal with the unknown.

The conflict between Frank and Ishmael is fresh and compelling; Ishmael’s status as a foreigner lends the plot an extra layer of intrigue and complexity. Although they are both very different, they are also very alike in subtle ways that end up becoming key plot points later on. What starts off as a simple negotiation quickly begins to spiral out of control, and both young men must confront their own limits while striving to prevent an even bigger disaster. It’s this dynamic amidst the two men that really drives the narrative, and it’s a fascinating character study into the kinds of complex relationships that can have an unexpected power over our lives.

Intense and absorbing, The Pact is a contemporary adventure which will be a welcome addition to any bookshelf.