Visage of Moros
Tamel Wino
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 978-1069182401
Reviewed by Ashley Hooker for Reader Views
Visage of Moros (Decay Abloom) by Tamel Wino is a psychological thriller with grief at the forefront. Drystan Caine and his wife Sophie have lost their daughter, Alba, to the hands of a child murderer. As the investigation progresses, leads are running out. Drystan and Sophie struggle in the waves of grief that follow Alba’s death and wonder if her killer will ever be caught. With the police having no luck, Drystan begins his own investigation. As time passes, Drystan becomes paranoid and consumed with a taste for vengeance.
This story will take readers into the depths of grief with a unique writing style. Using a time-jumping sequence, Tamel Wino successfully intertwines the past and the present. We can witness the journey Drystan takes from being the doting father to a man ravaged by grief. His path to justice for his daughter is explicitly portrayed as readers observe the uses of alcohol, cigarettes, and mind games to fill a void in Drystan’s heart.
Tamel Wino is obviously sensitive to the subject of grief. His portrayal of Drystan is remarkable. He does not characterize Drystan as an awful man, even though his thoughts often drift to awful things. Wino does give readers the picture of man who is talented, family-oriented, and trustworthy. His characterization gives readers a sense of empathy for Drystan.
Wino also uses secondary characters quite well. They play a pivotal role in our understanding of who Drystan was and is. Each character fuels Drystan’s determination to get answers. They are like a mirror into Drystan’s soul. Their turmoil is reflected in the emotional journey Drystan is trekking.
As Drystan sinks deeper into his grief, you are pulled in with him. Wino’s description of the unraveling of Drystan’s mind is vivid. The tension becomes thick. Readers are met with a fervent desire to turn the page. You will want to know what the next move will be and if answers will ever be uncovered. Unexpected twists and turns are woven into the story from page one to the last word.
Visage of Moros is a gripping story. The psychological challenges grief throws at us are beautifully expressed on the page. Readers will be drawn into Drystan’s world with each heart-wrenching description of Drystan’s thoughts. This book is well-written, emotionally stirring, and one I will be recommending.