Synopsis/blurb….
For years the drifter
haunted the background of American life, roaming the side streets and highways
that crisscross this vast country. Cool and handsome, with a single teardrop
scar and a knack for silence that keeps the world at bay, he is a man alone.
That all changes on a
rainy night in Chicago, when he witnesses a brutal assault on a young woman. By
the time he reaches her, the assailant is gone, leaving a trail that is all too
easy to follow. But playing the good Samaritan may be more trouble than it’s
worth, when his moment of conscience hurls him into a shadowy world of
violence, intrigue and deception.
Caught between duty
to his fellow man and the anonymity of life on the road, the Samaritan could
walk away. But when his estranged teenage daughter is threatened, he will make
his choice—and never look back. By turns violent and insightful, this
suspenseful novel from acclaimed journalist and author Jim Fusilli introduces
an unforgettable hero to the ranks of contemporary American fiction.
This opener in a two book series from author Jim Fusilli was
my favourite book read last November.
A lone man drifter type allows his conscience to get the
better of him when he witnesses an attack on a woman. Kind of similar to
Reacher in some ways, though here our protagonist has a past and family which
gets gradually revealed to us. He has a daughter, though he is estranged from
her and not necessarily through choice. Past events robbed our main man of his
wife and his daughter of her mother, events which the father is blamed for.
Efforts to reach out to her are continually rebuffed though I don’t think he’s
about to give up trying.
I can’t recall if our hero is identified and has a name or
not, either way it doesn’t matter too much. Once he inserts himself into the
attacked woman’s life and problem he’s involved to the bitter end. Our woman
has been a bit reckless and naive, as well as dishonest. She’s stolen from her
boss and he’s a spiteful, vengeful bastard.
Our man attempts to resolve her difficulty and get her back
her life.
Enjoyable plot, interesting main character and family
dynamic, plenty of tough guy action, a bit cerebral as well. Violence isn’t
going to offer a final solution to our situation here, a bit of diplomacy and
negotiation is also called for.
Right book, right time.
5 from 5
I’m looking forward to the second in the series – The Billboard Man.
Jim Fusilli has written
about half a dozen novels in total.
I enjoyed this book on audio. Good atmospherics
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it too. I don't really use the format of audio books myself.
DeleteThis does sound like a good 'un, Col. It sounds nicely moody, and with some interesting characters. I like it when those character layers are revealed a little at a time.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I really liked this one and you're right about the slow reveals.
DeleteFive on five! Doesn't happen often does it? Tbh it sounds a bit like a standard plot, but your praise counts for something...
ReplyDeleteI suppose the plot is standard, but it worked well for me. Are there any original plots left? I really liked it. I'm looking forward to the second , though not quite sure when!
DeleteThis one sounds interesting, although maybe too violent for me? Have you read any of his other series? I have one of those (unread of course).
ReplyDeleteI don't recall it being overly violent. I didn't know he had written another series, but I've just looked it up. Terry Orr - PI. They look good, but I probably shouldn't go there. I liked the look of his NARROW'S GATE but it's nearly 600 pages long, so I'm going to pass on that also.
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