Review: That Which Remains: Reunion by M. Tess Ossenelli

An unpredictable ride of murder, intrigue, revenge, and old loves long thought buried, That Which Remains: Reunion by M. Tess Ossenelli is a one-of-a-kind thriller for romance and action fans alike.

After his sister, Tess, disappears, Dr. Evan Kaufman’s volatile emotions explode, putting his career and future at risk. Following a loose trail of breadcrumbs that only deepen the mystery of her abduction, it becomes clear that something even more sinister than a serial killer has put his sister and best friend in danger. He hires a young private eye to help in the search, not expecting to instead find Tess’ twin sister, who has been missing for more than two decades. When his sister’s body is found, his hopes for recovery and rescue shift quickly to revenge and retribution.

Juggling multiple crises while trying to stay alive, and sane, Evan is a captivating main character, whether he is shooting an apple off someone’s head or reflecting vulnerably on his own troubled mind. He is not only a skilled surgeon, but also a sharpshooter trained in the military – more than capable of defending himself and hunting down those responsible for Tess’ death. However, the self-loathing that has dominated his life and sabotaged his happiness threatens to overwhelm him, as he vows not to become another monster in an already monstrous world, making his character multilayered and surprisingly dark.

Even as his life spirals into panic and vigilante hunting, Penny’s reappearance after twenty-two years shakes something loose in his broken psyche, and here the romantic elements come more into play, offering a balance to Evan’s darker thoughts – she is someone with the potential to mend his broken heart, and forgive him for the sin he has carried with him since childhood. As Evan delves deeper into his hunt for Psi, the serial killer responsible for his sister’s death, he discovers a much larger conspiracy, a network of moles and spies and murderous thugs. Making a deal with a devil or two, the good doctor may be getting closer to street justice, but also closer to losing what shards of a soul he has left.

Addressing everything from systemic issues of the foster care and adoption systems, to the long-lasting trauma of abuse, deception, and manipulation, this novel weaves hard-hitting subjects into a gritty and believable story. The secondary elements of the plot are where much of the thematic exploration and narrative bravery come into the spotlight. Managing mental health is a theme that is relevant to every reader in some way, but it takes a skilled writer to craft such believable and relatable characters around the subject, without lacking depth, or seeming maudlin. Similarly, love is a complex and ever-changing emotion, but Ossenelli confidently dissects its many forms in this gut-wrenching, emotion-bending story – a combination that is rare for either a romance or a thriller.

From a technical standpoint, the prose is declarative, without much linguistic flourish, so the more procedural sections of the investigation tend to drag. Additionally, some conversations seem more like small talk or filler, which doesn’t progress the plot in a meaningful way. A bit of tightening could elevate this novel even further, but as it stands, this first installment of the That Which Remains series is a gritty and emotional thrill that packs a twisted punch.