Political thriller centred around the pandemic

Title: COVID Crept Through Our Door

Author: Zip Dominion

Reviewed by: Bernadette Aliboh

COVID Crept Through Our Door is a psychological and political thriller novel set in 2020. It is not how you might imagine it to be. Never judge a book by its cover. The question remains, are we ready for more creativity while still living in a world pandemic lasting over two and a half years and counting?

COVID-19 is still causing loss, suffering, and great inconvenience to many of us. Do we need to be creative about this? Do we care enough? Zip Dominion answers affirmatively. He asks the reader, even on the front cover, does the locking door handle symbolise freedom or restriction? Then within the body, I didn’t know that a thriller could be so hilarious.

The style and flow could be right up your street despite its unusual, sometimes painfully boring, slow-burner beginning. This reflection goes on for nearly 90 pages, however, this writer believes that it was absolutely paramount for the novel and actually an apt opening for the introduction and background of the main character - Khadeen Matisse. She is soon to be the charismatic, flawed First Lady of Jamaica. It is necessary for the novel, and without it, the story wouldn’t be the same. It is simply different, perhaps more avant garde. Alongside the political milieu, her family’s world is shattered when her only son tries to commit suicide while in isolation during a vacation in England.

EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER

It 9s a thrilling yet emotional roller-coaster novel with nuggets of sheer style, belly laughter, history, insight into Jamaican and Mancunian/Manchester, England life, with even romantic surprises, too.

Zip Dominion doesn’t miss a beat and clearly has a great eye for detail as well as linguistics. Read nuff delicious patwa. The novel has it all = empathy, sorrow, rejoicing, shock, excitement, grit, wit, stitches from laughter, and may even have you (like me) salivating intensely from the occasional culinary, gourmet food and drink in Manchester or Jamaica such as succulent lamb, well-seasoned pork and fries, and the legendary curry goat.

Plenty of fine drink also eased the pain caused by COVID-19 like Pinot Gris, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and white rum. Melton Mowbray pork pies star in the story. It is true, (I sampled myself): they are best served cold and with a rich, bold, red wine. I can only suggest that you do the same. Delectable is an understatement. I am now a cold Melton Mowbray pork pie addict thanks to Zip Dominion. Being Mancunian myself, the culinary imagery was real and comforting.

Zip Dominion creates a cinematic, film-worthy, action-filled, suspenseful crescendo of an ending, with a wonderful, surprising twist. I was completely committed, enticed, and engrossed after reading the novel in just two days.

All in all, souls and nations will unite with this novel. It is an unusual, unexpected love story with great, clear family values. Zip Dominion makes it clear that it is good and vital to have rich, transparent, compassionate, and sincere support from friends and family no matter what it is or where you are in life. Did it resonate with any COVID-19 experience I know of ? Yes, sometimes. However, the novel was, and continues to be, inspirational in helping me sift the gems from my family and friends in terms of genuine support and love. I want to thank Zip Dominion for such a powerful, thought-provoking read. I will definitely be finding out what other novels this author has written. I am a fan.

COVID Crept Through Our Door is available on Amazon.