...Give or Take a Shilling. (ePub)

Book Review
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

Written by Thom Thomas, Give or Take a Pebble: The Beginning is the first book in the give or take series and tells the story of Dr. Joshua Krump, a man who survives poverty, tragedies, and deaths to complete his medical education and become a surgeon. A wonderful story derived from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

Fans of Charles Dickens will definitely love this remarkable story. Give or Take a Pebble: The Beginning is built specifically around Tiny Tim, but with surgeon Dr. Joshua Krump as the main protagonist. Krump, for me, is a striving ambitious fellow, ridden by debt and his own personal misery. And just like Krump, I am also fascinated and troubled at the same time by the mature, twelve-year-old Belinda. Thom Thomas has written a vivid tale with beautiful descriptions of the Victorian era. His prose is flawless and the pace of the story is superb. It is clear that extensive research has been done to portray life in the 19th century and the medical practices at that time. This gives an authentic quality to the story and makes it more interesting.

Thom Thomas weaves Joshua Krumps story expertly around Dickenss famous classic, providing an amazing and fascinating read. The ending is excellent, with a suspense that is both exciting and frustrating at the same time. A highly recommended novel and I absolutely look forward to the second book.