Hit and Run by Dr. Bob Rich

★★★★★

redemption story
Sylvia Kryz is speaking to Vlad Stavrou, a psychologist, explaining what she witnessed: A gleeful young man driving a red car purposefully running into her friend Naomi, a school crossing guard, and six children under the age of seven. All were killed. He only just missed Sylvia because, at age 84, she was a few steps behind them, using her wheelie for support.

For the policewoman Jemina Johnson, Sylvia drew several very accurate pictures of the young man's side features. She wanted to draw his face from the front. That night, she had a dream where she pictured him full-frontal in her room … and he appeared … foul-mouthed and aggressive.

After her dream meeting, she drew his frontal face and gave it to Jemina. This strange meeting occurrence reoccurred many times after she initially drew the boy's image. She learned his name was Chuck, because he made his mother chuck when she was pregnant with him, but Sylvia called him Charlie.

She learned he was physically abused at home and didn't care much about anything but his 6-year-old brother Tommy, who he wanted to protect. During their 'meetings' she gave Charlie advice to help him through some of his problems. The police caught Charlie and took Tommy into protective custody.

By then, Sylvia's opinion had changed. She believed Charlie could become a good person. At a memorial meeting for the dead children and Naomi, and after a priest makes statements about vengeance, Sylvia speaks, telling of the violence against Charlie and Tommy, and that violence always begets violence.

She suggests a solution—as a community they can teach these boys a better way of life. After her speech, things change but it's a slow, hard road to follow, and Charlie still faces murder charges and prison. It is surprising who decides to take part in this reclamation, but can they really make a difference in these boys' lives? Hit and Run is an interesting and beguiling read.

Reviewed By: R. Courtright, Amazon Review

★★★★★

"Hit and Run" is anything but, and you'll remember this story for a good, long time!
"Hit and Run" is a story of many things, and starts as an intersection of lives through a tragic event. But instead of treading the usual "police evidence ground" to uncover the antagonist, we meet him in a most unusual way. I'll say nothing more to limit the spoilers, but suffice to say, this book took me on a journey I'd never taken before.

Which was refreshing! And it held my interest to the end, so combined with the excellent, cliche'-free writing and the imaginative tale - and honestly, most of all, the characters - this warrants a solid 5 stars. Congrats and Very well done!!

Reviewed By: LAWRENCE H., Amazon Review

★★★★★

Another 5 Stars
Another 5 Stars for Bob Rich. He's done it again, a wonderful tail with many, as usual, messages leading us to good advice on social manners.

Reviewed By: Kevin (Ric) Richardson, Amazon Review

★★★★☆

A redemptive story for our troubled times
We live in troubled times. All around us, in country after country, people do unspeakable things. What is particularly heinous is when a young person lashes out, killing others.

Thus begins this book. Charlie, at fourteen, has given up on life and himself, and decides to share his pain by running his car through a crosswalk of children, killing a number of them and narrowly missing an elderly woman, Sylvia, in the process. Soon after the traumatizing event, Sylvia begins to have initially unwelcome paranormal contact with Charlie.

Through these contacts Sylvia is allowed a window into Charlie's past and the ugly forces that shaped his choices, and Charlie learns that not all adults are there to abuse him. This story highlights the redemptive power of love, acceptance, kindness, and loving accountability. It shows that even when we have good reason to hate, we can choose to love and to guide others rather than punish them.

It promotes looking more deeply into others to find the hurtful events that create negative attitudes and behaviors. And it encourages us to turn our own pain into something positive, rather than allow it to fester and injure us further from the inside out. These lessons are layered within a story that focuses on the here and now, day to day transformations occurring within multiple characters as they face the aftermath of violent choices and loss.

The conversations feel legitimate, and the characters could be our next door neighbors. One is left wishing that our real world could mirror the change in beliefs and attitudes shown within the story. As a person who believes in redemption and the ability to change, I recognize it often does not happen with the fluidity and speed seen in this story, but it would be a lovely world if it could.

The paranormal qualities to the story were not distracting from the reality of events. They were used in ways to make important points, and were not belabored to the point of taking away from the main plot, which appeared to accurately represent today's youth and our troubled world. This is a solid read which encourages readers to ponder our tendency to rush to judgment, and hand out consequences, without regard to what life influences someone has endured before doing something hurtful or incomprehensible.

The psychological background of the author adds an element of authenticity to the sections of the story where Charlie is helped to understand what drove his decision and how he might change, to avoid being held hostage to those influences. Anyone who has experienced similar life events would find much encouragement within those parts of the novel.

Reviewed By: annonymous, Amazon Review

★★★★★

MASTERFUL STORYTELLING
This story gripped me right from the first few lines. Mrs. Sylvia Kryz, AKA The Old Duck, is an 84 year old lady who is almost bowled over by a car driven by 14 year old Charlie Debnall (Chuck, a derogative term given to him by his mother because she chucked up all the way through her pregnancy). Naomi, the school crossing lady, and six children are killed.

Charlie is an angry boy who had been brutalized by his mother's numerous drunken and druggie boyfriends. The only person he cares about is his 6 year old brother, Tommy. Everyone hates Charlie, but under the influence of Mrs Kryz who believes there is good in the boy, a cavalcade of colourful characters pass through the story and become staunch allies in Mrs. Kryz's attempts to save Charlie from himself.

They include Mrs Kyz's family; Vlad Stavrou, the psychologist from Victim's Services; Reverend Martin, a Uniting Church Minister who was jailed for murdering his sister's rapist, but found God; and Brigitte, so full of hate after her husband left her that she alienated her children. There are several themes skilfully wove into this story: love, hate, revenge, redemption and second chances. The story is almost brutal in parts, but so vividly portrayed I could feel the hatred, hear the vile language used by Charlie's slovenly, alcoholic mother and Brutal Bruce, his latest stepfather.

They sent shivers of distaste along my spine. Tommy, the six year old brother, was naughty and foul-mouthed, but somehow endearing just the same. The most incredible part of this story was the parts where Charlie and Mrs. Kryz had telepathic meetings with each other.

I am not into this psychic type of thing as a rule, but the events were so brilliantly executed, they were plausible even to an unbeliever like me. Hard to say much more without spoiling the story, but believe me when I say, if you want a great read, this it. A Word of caution though. Make sure you have enough time to read it at the one sitting, because like me, you won't want to put it down until you have devoured every word.

Reviewed By: Margaret Tanner, Amazon Review

★★★★★

Thought provoking
Most normal people feel horrified and sickened by a senseless crime, particularly one committed against defenceless children. The crime in Bob Rich's book 'Hit and Run' is one such act of savagery and one that cries out for justice. Where this story differs from the usual crime and punishment tale, however, is in the thoughts and actions of one old lady who witnessed the deaths and came near to becoming a victim herself.

Rather than give in to a desire for vengeance against the heartless perpetrator, she is moved to forgive the young man and try to understand his motivation. What follows is a startling account of what can happen when good people decide to show love instead of the all too easy desire for vengeance and retribution. Forgiveness is not an easy path to follow, and several members of the community are reluctant to show mercy to the young man who wantonly killed so many young children.

It is a cliché that 'no man is an island unto himself' but like it or not we are each of us alone in our thoughts and inner torments -- but what if we were not? Young Charlie Debnall, his character warped and twisted by horrific circumstances and a terrible upbringing, finds his 'island' connected by a causeway to the old lady he almost killed -- Sylvia Kryz. This connection opens up possibilities that he had never imagined and leads to him turning his life around and taking the first steps on the long road to becoming a worthwhile member of society.

This is a simple story yet also a complex one with a wide array of characters on both sides of the ledger. Some people actively work against Charlie's rehabilitation; others refuse to even give him a chance, but a growing number believe in the possibility of change and it is heartening to see the gradual blossoming of a mind stunted by terrible circumstances. 'Hit and Run' is a story of hope in a world where it sometimes seems as if civilisation is crumbling around us.

Reviewed By: James M. Overton, Amazon Review

★★★★★

Love Always Wins
Is it possible for a hell-bent teenager to turn himself around? In this story, we see a drug crazed, typical inner city youth, tired of being alive at the age of fourteen. He is angry at the world and determined to take a lot of innocent people out with him.

When Charlie Debnall drives an out of control car into a group of elementary school children as they attempt to cross the street, it unleashes a chain of events which eventually lead to total and complete transformation from the inside out. Not only are school children and the crossing supervisor brutally murdered, but aging Sylvia Kraz, also attempting to cross the street with the aid of her wheelie walker, narrowly misses her demise at the hands of Charlie. Sylvia gets a good glimpse of Charlie's face, making eye contact, as he speeds by leaving carnage in his wake.

With her uncanny artistic abilities, she sketches his face then experiences Charlie appearing to her in her bedroom through mental telepathy. Her drawing of his face leads to his arrest and yet the visits continue. Sylvia's psychologist assists her in working through her traumatic brush with death and guides her into a past life regression which establishes her connection to Charlie.

When Sylvia agrees to help look after Charlie's little brother, Tommy, a bond of trust is formed. Over the course of the story, we see a collage of characters all woven together with one goal in mind and that is to help Charlie and his little brother, Tommy, break the pattern of abuse and learn to be good decent humans. What they don't realize is that they are all growing and learning in the process of helping the boys.

This is a touching story which brings to light paranormal activity and past life connections and how those connections continue to weave through each lifetime. A fascinating read, that keeps you turning one page after the other, and holding your breath when Charlie "stuffs up", as he calls it. This is a great story with a message of hope and inspiration. Love wins.

Reviewed By: JanS, Amazon Review

★★★★★

From the Midst of Tragedy Comes a Hopeful and Redemptive Story
Dr. Rich's latest book Hit & Run is a compelling read right from the opening paragraph to its final word. It tells the story of an enraged and out of control 14 year old boy named Chuck (Charles) who purposely runs over and kills 6 innocent children, as well as their crossing supervisor. Fortunately, he narrowly missed an 84 year old woman named Sylvia who in many ways becomes the most pivotal character in the story.

Ironically, it is Sylvia who is able to establish a paranormal relationship with the young perpetrator. This leads us on an unexpected journey toward healing and redemption that not only benefits the boy, but also the families that have suffered unfathomable loss, and the greater community. The beauty of Dr. Rich's writing is that he comes at it from a psychological and societal perspective.

In fact, Dr. Rich is a retired psychologist. His professional wisdom and narrative sensibilities shines through his writing. This is especially true through the engrossing and developing dialogue between Sylvia and Charles, as well as how the psychologist Dr. Vlad is able to provide needed counseling to help others deal with the very real impact of trauma and loss on their lives.

This novel is a testament to the power of love, and Sylvia becomes our ultimate guide. All who have their lives touched by Sylvia's loving spirit eventually learn compassion for others... even those who have been so hurt that they have experienced profound anger, despair, and hatred. Hit & Run is a story well worth reading in that it helps us to embrace love over hate, thereby raising our social consciousness.

Reviewed By: Jay S. Levy, MSW, LICSW, Editor of Cross-Cultural Dialogues on Homelessness: From Pretreatment Strategies to Psychologically Informed Environments, Author of Pretreatment Guide for Homeless Outreach & Housing First

★★★★★

The Road to Second Chances is Paved with Landmines
The story was well-written and kept me hooked. It shows what can happen when people care enough to break the downward spiral. It shows tragedy, anger, and hatred, but then, kindness, forgiveness, and then some mistakes and action, followed by more prejudice and action, and... I don't want to spoil the ending.

Reviewed By: Tony B Richard, Amazon Review

★★★★☆

A tale of growth
This is the story of a maltreated child who carries out a terrible act but repents and changes his ways. It is told through the eyes of a wise old lady who has a strange connection with the young boy. Heartwarming in parts, shocking in others; very readable all the way through. I would have given it five stars but for two things: the ending seemed rushed; and the author's refusal to spell out rude words, which, as these appear often throughout, I found highly distracting.

Reviewed By: C. F. Reynolds, Amazon Review

Bought this book from us? Write a review from your account page — it appears here once approved.