Book Review: Doomed to Repeat It

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Doomed to Repeat It     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
D. G. K. Goldberg
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Fantasy   Romance   Horror
Design Image, 2001, $15.95, 275 pp.

In Charlotte, North Carolina Layla MacDonald hates her job as a receptionist clerk and also struggles with her personal relationships, recently breaking up with her boyfriend after he hit her. She cannot turn to her murdered mother killed by her lover’s angry wife fourteen years ago or her drunk of a father. Her only solace lies with her best friend Matt who is more like a younger brother than a friend and the two Jasons.

Over the years Layla has sensed her mother as if she was near by, but has always written that off as wishful thinking. However, this time she does not just sense an otherworldly essence but she sees the ghost of Ian MacGregor is in her room. Ian insists he has "lived" three centuries looking for vengeance, but feels an obligation to keep his stunned hostess safe. Suddenly, death surrounds Layla because Ian, using eighteenth century logic and ire, begins eliminating anyone who causes harm to her, which makes her the police’s prime suspect.

Though DOOMED TO REPEAT takes a bit too long to accelerate, once the story line shifts into a supernatural gothic crime thriller, the plot becomes worth the wait as it never slows down until the final climax. Much of the book provides insight into Layla’s character and what has environmentally nurtured it. The first half of the plot also hints at the motives of other players but mostly through their interaction and behavior towards the lead protagonist or filtered by Layla including Ian who yields an anachronistic brand of justice. Fans of a character driven otherworldly crime drama will want to read D.G.K. Goldberg’s strange chiller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner