Title: Clouds Over Mountains
Author: Matt Joseph
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1425978778
Genre: Contemporary Literature & Fiction
Pages: 440
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
It comes as no surprise that far more often than not; history plays a pivotal role in our future as a society. The events of the past can have long-lasting impressions on society, from deadly wars fought decades earlier to civilizations centuries earlier defining the fabric of modern democracy, history is a monumental backbone to the fabric of society as a whole. As Martin Luther King Jr once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”
In author Matt Joseph’s Clouds Over Mountains, the author blends the past into the present as two people find themselves connected by the events of WWII, and mixed up in a modern-plot that sees a shooting take place in Pearl Harbor. Takehiko Ikeda, a former WWII Japanese navy pilot, hides a shameful past when he meets Margaret Roberts, a senior US government official who is dealing with both her mother’s failing health and ambitions for her career all at once. Converging in Hawaii, the shooting will uncover hidden pasts and connections neither one of them could have imagined.
A well-crafted, engaging read, author Matt Joseph’s Clouds Over Mountains is a brilliant look into how historical moments such as the attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII can impact people differently depending on the person’s culture and involvement in said event. The story itself is driven perfectly by character growth, as the story weaves in and out from journal entries reflecting life before, during and after WWII, to the modern age as a murder investigation involving the FBI takes dramatic twists and turns involving private investigators, power-hungry FBI agents and investigators seeking the truth as their own lives endure struggle for balance.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy murder mystery/thriller style plotlines with history-based backstory and intricate character studies overall. As a fan of the genre, I found it interesting to explore the character’s connections not only to WWII and the Attack on Pearl Harbor, but to each other as well, which showcases how far reaching the impact of such a brutal and horrendous moment in history can have on everyone. Ikeda’s story especially was profound, as it showcased the mentality and path that young men serving the Japanese Emperor viewed the world during that time, and the tragic consequences that befell so many after that surprise attack.
A well-researched, character-driven and lengthy yet powerful read, author Matt Joseph’s Clouds Over Mountains is a must-read historical and mystery/thriller novel. The characters are memorable and well-rounded, and the twists and turns the story takes both in the larger plot and in the personal lives of the characters overall will keep readers invested in this story wholeheartedly.
