Review: The Poe Consequence by Keith Steinbaum

Title: The Poe Consequence
Author: Keith Steinbaum
Published: Nov. 28, 2014
Publisher: LitFire Publishing
Pages: 368
Genre: Suspense/ghost/paranormal thriller
Review: Paperback provided by author














In a section of Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium, two rival gangs rule the streets. For the Alvarado Street Diablos, it’s been a year since the murder of one of their closest members at the hands of their sworn enemy, the North Rampart Lobos. A drive-by killing in his honor is planned, but things go wrong and an innocent bystander is the victim. Several hours later the one who pulled the trigger suffers a horrifying death never before seen in its uniqueness. Many more such cases follow, all involving only these two gangs among the hundreds throughout the city. And each death occurs at the same time of day. The exact same time of day.
What can these two enemies do to survive against an unstoppable power intent on their mutual destruction? How is a gang-hating young boy’s attempt to save the life of a gang member tied into preventing a loved one’s soul from eternal damnation? What does a mysterious psychic’s prophecy conveyed earlier in New Orleans have to do with all of this?
Exploring both the hope and darkness that define our emotions, The Poe Consequence integrates social and ethnic divisions through acts of fate and supernatural horror for the reader to observe and imagine.

I received this book to give an honest review.

First let me say yes there is references to Edgar Allen Poe but you do not have to fully understand Poe's way of writing to read this story. Two brothers start this book off Kevin and Warren. Warren is very much into Poe and into psychics which I think is pretty amazing when he gets a reading he doesn't want to hear it all the way through which can be expected especially when it says he will be dying. When the unthinkable happens Warren's son Seth is all alone besides his Uncle Kevin who has no clue how to take care of a young boy. We see how Seth holds a lot of hatred in his heart for Mexicans because his father was killed in front of him by two rival Mexican gangs. Seth eventually learns to let go of things but it takes time not only for him to understand not everyone is the same, but to heal properly. 

Kevin turns to the bottle that is until a very young Mexican-American woman catches his eye. Veronica has her own hidden past something that is very troubling and you feel for her on so many levels especially when the rape scene occurs. Eventually we learn that the two rival gang members the Diablos and the Lobos are dying left and right from their heart being turned cold. It is a rare case that has everyone baffled until eventually Kevin and Seth put it all together the person or thing that is doing this believes to be doing the right thing. 

I honestly did not want to put this book down I was very intrigued on how Poe was woven into the story line. I enjoyed the Mexican slang through out the book and found myself attempting to say some of the words. 

There is a lot of cussing and a rape scene that makes you get the chills and want to hurt the person involved but you got to tell yourself it is a book there will be justice somewhere down the line. 

Overall a very enjoyable book that has us readers learn that you shouldn't judge everyone just by the wrongs of those of the same race, not only that but love will find you even from beyond the grave. 

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As a professional lyricist, Keith Steinbaum co-wrote songs that have been heard throughout the world. His poetry has been published in various anthologies, and he received an International Poet of Merit award from the International Society of Poets. The Poe Consequence is Steinbaum's first novel, and it was awarded 'Supernatural Thriller Book of the Year' by the literary website, Books-and-Authors.net.