Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite 5 Stars
Penned by W. Michael Hewitt, 90 Days: An Essie Openwaters Thriller is a work of fiction in the thriller, mystery, and action-adventure subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience. Following the previous adventures of our intrepid Dr. Essie Openwaters, we find this sharply intelligent young woman still a major target for criminal minds and billionaire psychopaths. Between a dangerous terrorist attack and a search for deadly stolen plutonium, Essie finds her life is constantly in danger. But where is the leak in information coming from that keeps putting her at risk? W. Michael Hewitt has crafted a highly likable and relatable heroine in the high-flying and quick-thinking Essie Openwaters. I love how Essie's heritage and work ethic feed deeply into her character throughout the tale, and it's this kind of attention to detail in the narrative that makes her feel real and makes an audience want to root for her more and more. This is especially pertinent with threats coming at her from every angle, and I was particularly engrossed in the psychological presentation of billionaire psychopath Tyrone Rettig. His maniacal operations and intensely damaged psyche are brought to life with great drama and conviction. The plot walks the fine line between sensational and surreal without ever going too far, and Essie's characterization gives it the believability that it needs to stay grounded. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend 90 Days for fans of the existing series, and the series in general to thriller and action-adventure readers seeking an original and likable central hero and a fast-paced, well-penned mystery series with lots of exciting twists.
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite Review Rating: 5 Stars
In 90 Days: An Essie Openwaters Thriller by W. Michael Hewitt, we are introduced to Essie, who is being sent to the Savannah River site to conduct an audit to determine whether plutonium is being misappropriated. If plutonium is missing it could pose a global nuclear threat if it falls into the wrong hands. Sergio Garcia has invested billions, which will enable him to capture the market. He plans an attack on the Fourth of July, and Garcia Data COM would become the most secure data server. However, Essie Openwaters can overturn his plans. Garcia will have to get rid of her first. Ty Rettig, a psychopath worth billions, has also been trying to get rid of Essie for a long time, but his people failed him. Essie is brilliant, and Rettig admires her for that, but she gets in the way of his plans all too often.
W. Michael Hewitt had me guessing with all the unexpected twists and turns in 90 Days, which is suspenseful, thrilling, and entertaining. I was turning the pages as fast as I could and was glued to my seat. I could never predict what would happen next. This roller coaster ride was fast-paced and full of action. Enough thrills and surprises were waiting around every corner, and there was never a dull moment. The characters were well-developed and authentic. Essie was my favorite, although she is a new agent. She still has a lot to learn, but she does not shy away from the unpleasant side of her duties. The story is excellently written with a well-planned plot and it exceeded my expectations by far.
BookNerdDetection: 90 Days by W. Michael Hewitt. Nerdection Rating: "Nerdection Worth to read"
My Take on 90 Days: What immediately struck me as I read the first chapter of this book was the outpouring of attention paid to the finer details of this story. This cannot be mentioned without including how Mr. Hewitt's expertise in the overlying topic the plot revolves around—chemical and nuclear engineering—shines through from start to finish. Mr. Hewitt took a relatively obscure topic I'd imagine very few people stop to consider at any point in their lifetime, one near and dear to him, and formulated a story individuals from a variety of different demographics could enjoy.
Being the curious little fact-checker that I am, I actively sought out the names of locations, translations of legal jargon into layman's language, and explanations of complex, scientific procedures mentioned throughout and plugged them into my search engine. I was floored by the author's pinpoint accuracy with all three aforementioned points. He managed to pull off, single-handedly, what authors with access to extensive research networks are capable of which is impressive in and of itself. Other writers would've taken creative liberties to patch up the leaks in their stories but W. Michael Hewitt does not belong to this group. Knowing that the places visited by the characters truly do exist, the plausibility of the fictional events occurring in real life, and the parcels of history slotted into the story are extracts of true happenings all add to the immersive experience this action-packed tale takes you on.
Just like the witch in the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel, Mr. Hewitt lures us deeper into his techno-thriller series through enticement. In the development of his protagonist, Essie's background, we uncover some contextual truths behind her character and motivations in life. Amid these truths, single sentences drop revelations that aren't expounded on further. This is a very intentional choice made by the author. We, the readers, are made to follow a trail of breadcrumbs—the breadcrumbs being tiny morsels of information about Essie's past—leading us straight into future installments of the "Essie Openwaters Mystery Thriller" series. With a firm, foundational relationship built between the readers and Essie along with her supporting characters, Mr. Hewitt strings together a loyal fanbase who will continue to grow alongside the characters he has diligently crafted. The characters rolling in and out of almost every chapter are linked to their premier action to remind you of their purpose in driving the plot forward. Well worth the effort for lovers of science, technology, and thriller-based fiction.
Multiple: Varied