Between Justice and Time by Victor P. Unda

Author Victor P. Unda masterfully blends genres in the tumultuous, Nazi-hunting thriller in Between Justice and Time. What begins as a young man’s childhood reflections on family and the uncertainty of growing up in the 1930s becomes a spiraling drama of survival and purpose in a war-torn world.

From a childhood in California and Chicago to young adulthood in Spain, readers watch the narrator grow up in awe of his father, the legendary Rick, and the mystique around his secretive work grows as the narrative shifts. Focusing more on Rick’s work, the novel bounces from Paris and Spain to Casablanca, making this a rich journey through a different time, where loyalties and patriotism are paramount, and trust is hard to purchase. With elements of spycraft and international intrigue, shady secondary characters and potential betrayals, this is a well-rounded peek into the gears of war with a pace that rarely slows.

Given such a treasure trove of locations, historical event,s and philosophical conflicts to mine, the language is surprisingly declarative and almost journalistic; additional descriptions, imagery, and emotional language could make the prose more powerful. The narrative voice also fluctuates from omnipotent to limited, for an occasionally muddled perspective.

That being said, this sweeping tale is engrossing and immersive, with more than enough action, mystery, and historical impact to satisfy fans of many different genres.

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