Animus by Brian W. Smith 
Pages: 206
Robert Sumina, a successful entrepreneur, husband, and father, hates his own father, Enis, so much that he told his ten-year-old daughters their grandfather died. Why? Because Enis was so verbally and physically abusive that Robert's mother committed suicide to escape his wrath.When Hurricane Katrina demolishes New Orleans and sends thousands of residents fleeing from the city, Enis, now sixty-five years old, hobbled, and destitute because of the hurricane, lands—unannounced—on the doorstep of Robert’s suburban Dallas home. Robert’s lie is exposed. To make matters worse, Enis is nothing like the monster Robert described. Robert’s daughters and wife are drawn to Enis like moths to a flame. He’s charismatic, kind, wise, and has them eating out of the palm of his hand. But Robert isn’t buying Enis’ act. So, when his wife and kids aren’t around, he gives Enis an ultimatum—leave in two weeks or be prepared to face the same level of abuse that he inflicted on Robert and his mother. Enis counters with a threat that will bring Robert to his knees and leaning toward what appears to be his only option…murder. Bestselling Author, Brian W. Smith, has crafted a suspense novel with the tension of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller. This story of dysfunction and blackmail is punctuated with the author's trademark plot twist that is sure to make this an instant classic.
When will I ever learn?
Author Brian W. Smith recently released his 34th book novel, Animus, and as in true Brian W. Smith fashion, he has thrown me for a loop. I don’t know what it says about me as a diehard BWS reader. Why can’t I seem to infiltrate the great walls of Author Brian W. Smith’s mind?
Author Brian W. Smith’s ability to keep his readers speculating to the very end of his novels is one of the main reasons I have been singing his praises for over a decade.
Another reason I love Author Brian W. Smith’s writing style is his ability to have readers feel an array of emotions while reading one of his novels. One minute you are tearing up, then laughing and then going off on one of the characters.
The first pages in, I knew Brian was not only telling the story of Robert Sumina, but he was also giving readers bits and pieces of some of the things he witnessed as a child. At the end of the book, the author explains why he chose Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop to this novel. But there’s another part of me that felt that he used Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop because of the devastation that domestic violence has on individuals. The effects of abuse are something that I believe stays with you for the rest of your life. Every day, you find ways of maneuvering through life without it consuming the best of you.
I believe Animus is one of those Brian W. Smith’s books that will stay with you long after you read it.
Bravo, Author Brian W. Smith! You are still killing the game!
Reviewed by: Orsayor
About Brian W. Smith
Brian W. Smith is the bestselling author of sixteen novels to include: If These Trees Could Talk, Quagmire, and the Sleepy Carter Mystery Series. His novels have appeared on several bestsellers list to include: Dallas Morning News, Amazon, Black Expressions, and others. Brian has owned a publishing company and is currently signed to an imprint of Simon and Schuster.
Brian holds multiple college degrees to include an MBA. When he is not writing novels and touring he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at Collin College and Dallas Community College, both schools are in the Dallas, TX, area. Brian is a native of New Orleans, La., and currently lives in McKinney, TX.
