Title: The Life and Times of Sgt. Joseph Thomas “Tom” Biway, USMC
Author: DJ Cotten
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC
ISBN: 978-1951020187
Pages: 240
Genre: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Pacific Book Review
One of the more terrifying personalities that one can encounter amongst the people they meet in life is that of a sociopath. As actress Laurie Holden once said, “I’ve never been a fan of sociopaths who have no conscience. That scares me because they’re capable of anything.”
In author DJ Cotten’s book The Life and Times of Sgt. Joseph Thomas “Tom” Biway, USMC, one such individual is analyzed as he and another Marine clash, leading to one being murdered while the other was served a court martial. From the sociopath in question’s childhood to the early days of the Marines and the shocking events that led to these two men’s confrontation, the story takes a deep dive into the mind and actions of this individual.
The author did an excellent job of setting up the book’s story. Taking the time to explore both men’s lives involved in the confrontation before bringing them together was an inspired choice, allowing readers the opportunity to know the men as human beings first before the events that brought them to their violent conclusion. From Biway’s sociopathic tendencies throughout his life and his violent behavior to Private William’s path and his obsession with justice and the truth, the author did a great job of presenting this story with fully realized characters that jumped off the page.
This is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys military based storylines, narratives that focus on the psychological aspects of its characters, and crime dramas that focus on the characters more than the events of the murder itself. As a fan of the genre, it was fascinating to see the complex arc of these characters come to life, and the shocking events leading up to the confrontation and its aftermath.
A short yet engaging and detail-oriented read, author DJ Cotten’s The Life and Times of Sgt. Joseph Thomas “Tom” Biway, USMC is a brilliant piece of psychological crime thrillers that captures the raw character-driven narrative that readers become obsessed with. Showcasing the history of violent and sociopathic behavior of one man as he grows and becomes a person in power is a scary yet often too real event, and the historical setting of the era made this a much more powerful read overall. Be sure to grab your copy today!
