Published on 13, Feb 2023

Who Okayed This?! The Riveting Life of Grant Davis Asks Whether Hope Can Triumph Over Despair

Jimi Hendrix once said that when the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. Grant Davis, the title character in the mystery/thriller Who Okayed This?! The Riveting Life of Grant Davis, finds himself at that tipping point when his friends turn against him one night and inject him with a possibly lethal toxin, leaving him with broken relationships and a race against time to find an antidote. Written by award-winning author Philip E. Barrington, the book takes readers on a breathless quest around the world, with Grant caught between the forces of greed, corruption, and his own cynicism. Will he give in to despair or embrace hope despite his circumstances?

“One of the beautiful things about the story, I think, is how deeply it captures Grant’s turbulent thoughts and emotions,” says Philip E. Barrington. “Grant is not a superhero, one of those people who leaps into action with no hesitation, fear, or doubts. Instead, he’s just like most of us: he must choose to be brave even as his world is crumbling and his friends are deserting him.”

The action in Who Okayed This?! is fast-paced, with Grant flying from one locale to the next to find clues and an antidote for the toxin that is weakening his body. Philip E. Barrington reveals that juxtaposed against the rapid shifts in setting are Grant’s internal struggles as he contemplates the actions of his closest friends.

“He has always valued the relationships in his life, including his family members, friends, and peers,” says Philip E. Barrington. “It makes their betrayal of him even harder to understand, and he questions both himself and the way life seems to work.”

Grant is thrown into a world of corruption on both sides of the law, which only heightens his confusion and cynicism. He is ultimately pushed to decide whether beauty and hope can exist alongside the darker attributes of human nature and what that means for his future.

“Grant is forced to be courageous as he undertakes an emotional journey and evades his enemies,” Philip E. Barrington says. “He comes to understand that if he sees people and life with his heart, not with his eyes, he can see the goodness in everyone on a much deeper level even though he might never find all of the answers to his questions.”

Philip E. Barrington grew up in New York City, where he worked in the world of luxury goods at the Plaza in Manhattan. His own life was upended by a horrific accident when he was crushed between two cars. He remembers the bewilderment and disorientation that he felt when he woke up in a hospital bed.

“One moment, I had been just fine, and the next, I was wearing a Philadelphia collar around my neck, and I had two metal wrist-splints on both wrists and a cast from my right knee down to my toes,” Philip E. Barrington recalls. “I had concussion syndrome as well as multiple herniations in my neck and back, and the only way I could get around was by scooter.”

He says he learned very quickly who his true friends were, as many deserted him in his time of need. He was able to use that experience to make the emotions and reactions of Grant more realistic when he learns his friends are behind the attack.

“I was also very fortunate to cross paths with a woman who used a wheelchair due to a serious illness,” Philip E. Barrington reveals. “I was inspired by her full recovery, which she attributed to changing her diet and mindset. She was also a best-selling author, and this motivated me to begin writing my book.”

The ideas for Who Okayed This?! The Riveting Life of Grant Davis flew onto the page, and within a few years, he had created his first “faction” novel (a book that is based on some true events). 

“In some ways, I had my own Grant Davis experience because of my accident,” Philip E. Barrington reflects. “Thankfully, I have made a full recovery, and I’m having a great time working on my second book as well as learning more about photography, cell physiology, and geo/bio physics.”

While Philip E. Barrington wants his readers to have fun searching for clues alongside Grant, he hopes that Who Okayed This?! will challenge them to think about Hendrix’s quote on the power of love.

“That duality will likely always exist on some level, of course,” Philip E. Barrington believes. “However, we can be like Grant and focus on the power of love no matter what we experience. When we do, we are liberated from bitterness and are able to live our lives fully and for the benefit of those around us.”

Philip E. Barrington is the author of Who Okayed This?! The Riveting Life of Grant Davis, which is the Stellar book award recipient winner of 2022. Who Okayed This?! can be purchased on Amazon or on Barnes & Noble.