24 November 2021

This book is simply frightening! COVID has rocked our world and changed the way we live our lives. The Warden explores the effects of lockdown, how it has changed us and then takes it one step further. This book will keep you reading way into the night as the author tells a story where lockdown is still with us in the year 2024.

Dear Mr Richter, I hope you are wrong and that we are not still dealing with lockdown in 2024. But the truth is that this virus is here to stay, and life will never be the same again.

This was my first encounter with Jon Richter and while I tend to steer clear of anything futuristic when I can help it, The Warden proved to be an entertaining read with a large enough portion of present-day chapters to keep me flipping the pages. This is a gripping, engrossing tale that leaves you wondering just how far the human race will end up going to escape this pandemic. The ideas included in this book are frightening and I hope I never see anything like this becoming a reality. The author tells his story beautifully, moving between present and future (2024) from chapter to chapter and dropping little pieces of the full story as he goes. This makes The Warden a gripping, edge of your seat read.

When people are allowed to move into the Tower – a virus-free building, that promises to keep its residents safe, Eugene is eager to secure his place. After a life in the police force and having seen the worst of the worst Eugene is only too happy to remain indoors, away from people. Living in an apartment where the doors and windows are brick up and having James – the buildings AI catering to your every need suits Eugene permanently.

Until the body of the building manager turns up on his doorstep unexpectedly. Eugene is forced to leave the safety of his apartment and uncover the mysteries of the building. But nothing could have prepared him for what was waiting out there.

I found myself engrossed in this unusual tale as some aspects of the story was rather close to the reality of the COVID pandemic. This might not have been the kind of story I would usually reach for, but it was well told and frightening. I battled to drag myself away from this book.

Eugene is an appealing character. As his story unfolds and you learn about the experiences he has lived through you understand why he would be happy to have himself bricked into an apartment. I am not sure I would ever willingly allow that. When he faces his demons and steps beyond the confines of his apartment you see the man he used to be. 

As for Felicity, the author was very creative with this ambitious young woman and I found myself wondering how many people out there end up with work promotions due to COVID? Her drive and ambition are admirable to a point. Yet, I found myself disliking her for the role she played in this disastrous tale.

This book will leave you looking at the lockdown and social distancing guidelines that are in place throughout the world in a slighted jaded way. You are almost left wondering what should be believed, while it highlights how humans were never meant to live locked away. How important social interaction is to live healthy well-balanced lives.

Thriller fan is guaranteed an edge of your seat experience when you reach for this title. I recommend this book to anyone keen on a creative look at the COVID pandemic, but if you are someone who follows the conspiracy theories be warned this book will open an entirely new idea for you to latch onto.