Curtis Ippolito’s Waves of Burden is a gripping crime novel that combines suspense, family loyalty, and emotional depth. The story follows Drew Jones, a former foster child who has built a stable life as a contractor with his pregnant wife, Gabby. Drew’s carefully constructed future is threatened when his foster brother, Jake, unexpectedly returns into his life and subsequently steals $100,000 from a dangerous criminal. What begins as an attempt to help his brother quickly becomes a dangerous struggle that forces Drew to confront his past while protecting the family and the future he has worked so hard to build.
I found that Drew is an especially compelling protagonist because he is definitely not a traditional protagonist; instead, he is an ordinary working man placed in extraordinary circumstances. His decisions (some good and some bad) are motivated by loyalty, love, and a determination to protect the people closest to him. The complicated relationship between Drew and Jake also gives the story emotional weight. Their shared experiences as foster brothers demonstrate how family can be created through hardship and loyalty rather than simply through blood.
The San Diego setting is another standout feature of the novel. Ippolito uses the city’s neighborhoods, beaches, restaurants, and landmarks to create a vivid atmosphere that feels like an integral part of the story rather than merely a backdrop. The novel also maintains a fast pace, with danger and unexpected twists keeping the tension high. At the same time, the story does not rely entirely on action. Its focus on fatherhood, brotherhood, family, and the consequences of past choices gives the suspense a deeper emotional foundation and Waves of Burden its distinctive character.
Overall, Waves of Burden is an engaging and emotionally driven crime thriller that should appeal to readers who enjoy suspenseful stories with complex characters. Ippolito successfully balances violence and danger with themes of love and loyalty to make it more than just a fast-paced crime story. Ultimately, it is a story about how far someone will go to protect the people he considers family. For readers like me who enjoy a crime thriller with a strong emphasis on its characters, Waves of Burden is an exceptional read.
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