Lester Sharp is a workaholic, obsessed with the success of his business and oblivious to the world around him. All of that changes when a peculiar stranger comes into his shop asking for food and help. Lester soon finds himself on an impossible journey around the world to bear witness to some of the greatest tragedies a person can know, all frozen in a single moment of time.In this challenging … of time.
In this challenging and gripping novel, debut author Chad Pettit, delivers a supernatural, pulse-pounding adventure in which Lester Sharp is in for the longest second of his life and learns lessons to last a lifetime.
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f you could see the world’s pain in one moment in time, would you change your focus?
In Fate of the Watchman, Chad Petit asks this exact question. Luther Sharp’s life is about to change when a stranger walks into his shop. The man is so focused on his business, he had no time for anything else—including friendships, philanthropy, or even church.
That night, time stands still for everyone but Luther as this stranger takes him on a journey that opens his eyes to some of the horrors in his town and the world. When the reality becomes personal, Luther must decide what he is going to do with the overload of information.
There is a lot packed into this short one hundred pages. It’s a reminder that we are called to shine a light in the darkness, that we can’t live our lives in our own cocoon ignoring the pain and suffering of those around us. There are horrific events happening every day, the ones that make the news and then there are the ones that are less advertised but no less traumatizing to the people involved.
A strong start in speculative fiction for Petit, I’m interested to see where he’ll take readers next.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This was an original and unique story that kept me glued to the words. Highly recommended!
What a fascinating book! It’s written from a third person omniscient perspective that is completely removed from the main character and the story flows like a tale that is being recounted. It is indeed reminiscent of Scrooge’s story as Lester is shown the horrors of sin and depravity as time stands still. Some of the actions fueled by human depravity hit closer to home than others for Lester. The writing is quite lyrical in quality and lovely. The plot is interesting and it looks like this book is the first in a series that will develop into a deeper spiritual story and not just a modern-day rendition of the Christmas Carol. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book, Fate of the Redeemed.
I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher via JustRead Publicity Tour and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Be prepared to read for a spell!
Although it’s a fairly quick read, you won’t want to stop reading Fate of the Watchman; I found it spellbinding from the first page. The time is midnight when time stops for Lester. Reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life, a stranger, Draven, guides Lester through a frozen moment in time and all that happens in the world that we don’t notice. We’re all so totally absorbed in our own lives that we forget about those who need our help. It’s a story of human struggle and redemption. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to the idea of this book. They synopsis sang to me in a way a book hasn’t in more than a minute. Perhaps that it wasn’t romance but then again, it still had it’s own appeal. I mean I love a good sci-fi slash paranormal suspense slash supernatural book. I enjoy hanging on the edge of my seat from time to time. While fantasy isn’t quite my game, as long as it’s blended with all the rest well I’m good. As I started reading ‘Fate of the Watchman’ I felt like I was in a time warp of Scrooge straight out of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. The difference between Lester and Scrooge? A lot of content that may be disturbing to some readers. I feel like if I were to share with you all the things that might be triggering I’d use up all the words. The other side of that is though that is the authenticity in which these things are written. Violence in many forms; including murder, descriptions of blood, hanging, as well as mentions of sexual exploitation are common threads. I think that in context, while it is disturbing even for me, it’s necessary. Our world is filled with violence we may never personally see. Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Just because we aren’t experiencing it doesn’t mean millions of people around the world as just as safe. Violence is part of our reality and honestly has been since the invention of sin.
Here’s the deal, there were a few things that turned me off on this book. Each chapter started out very profound and philosophical and like I was back in college debating the merits of different life philosophies and faith philosophies and even psychological perspectives. If felt that way too, you remember sitting around feeling so adult-y and smart and really just being a know it all of some proportion or another. It felt like college again with the highbrow talk that couldn’t sustain as it segued into normal every day life. And it was every. Single. Chapter. Without. End. Lester started to feel like a dumbed down version of life because of it. Maybe he was supposed to be. Perhaps, hindsight being all that the fluffy talk was supposed to draw you down to the little guy, i.e. Lester. Mayhap it was supposed to be a philosophical reminder that education is nothing when you aren’t in touch with life. Perhaps I just need sleep. Regardless, I felt like I was being talked at and talked down to more than being drawn into the story and encouraged to go forward.
The flip side of all this is that I enjoyed the not so subtle reminders that no matter where we are in life there are others who still need our prayers, our outreach, and our love. Perhaps enjoyed is the wrong word choice, I mean who ‘enjoys’ being reminded that you are falling down on the job? Who enjoys being reminded that despite our own personal suffering others are suffering as well. Suffering with bigger issues, harder topics, and life altering situations. We are never alone in this journey. There is always someone before us holding a hand back to guide us up and someone behind us reaching for our ankle for a step forward as well. I did latch on really quick when the author mention ‘The Voice of the Martyrs’ newsletters and mailings. If this is not a group you are familiar with I strongly encourage you to learn more. It takes nothing to pray for our fellow man. Something Lester learned on our behalf. It takes everything to actually step up, kneel down, and do it.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Just Read. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
When I first began reading Fate of the Watchman by Chad Pettit, I was somewhat unsure if I liked the story. It seemed like it was loosely based on Charles Dickens’ Scrooge and my thoughts were leaning toward how many ways can one story be re-told? Yet, there is something different about the Fate of the Watchman, something that kept pulling me in, so I read on.
Having finished reading the novel, a recent popular inspirational song plays through my mind, Do Something by Matthew West. Like Lester Sharp, many have become disillusioned by the world we live in, and along with that disillusionment comes an inward focus on ourselves. As Lester Sharp seems like a hardened person, it is also true that Lester has a soft underbelly protected by a tough as nails exterior.
Lester has his own problems, he doesn’t have much else left to give to others who were also suffering in some way. Along comes a stranger and a journey designed to reach Lester in a way no one has been able to do. With each destination, he continues to turn his back with reasoning so oft heard used in conversations today. Nearing the end of his journey with the stranger, Lester begins to understand.
He begins to understand it is in reaching out to help others, that bitterness recedes. He understands that yes it is for him to reach out, not judge or walk away. He understands every life has worth, including his own. He understand every action has a reaction, equal and sometimes, not so equal.
In the song I mentioned above, the writer speaks to all the ills todays society experiences. Drug abuse, wars, famines, lost jobs, homelessness; the list could go on and on. People cry out to God, “why don’t you do something?”.
And God’s response…”I did, I created you.”.
In Fate of the Watchman, Lester learns he is here for a bigger purpose than himself. I recommend this novel and its message of looking outward, to serve others, to bring about healing, rather than looking inward, focusing on self in a powerful way.