Circle of Revenge is a well-written, well-structured novel in which the author designs the events in an episodic fashion that leads to a suspenseful conclusion. From the moment that Robbie Cavanaugh reads the help-wanted notice, French brings the reader quickly into the conflict.

A person-against-self conflict pattern is used when Robbie, consumed with hatred of Carlos over his betrayal of David, fights the battle within himself to determine whether or not to forgive his friend. He works through his dilemma by clarifying his values and, in the end, not only forgives Carlos but saves his life as well.

Because Dr. Salazar comes to like Robbie and sometimes thinks of him as his own son, he appears at times to be dynamic. In the end, however, he does not change. He remains driven to carry out the vengeance for all the "disappearing ones." By portraying his sensitive...