Friday 26 March 2021

DEREK BARTON - ELUDE PART ONE (2018)

 


Synopsis/blurb....

Stepping blindly into a horrific murder scene, a young ex-con, Vicente Vargas, must flee from the police while eluding the real killer who continues to pin more bodies on him in this intricate cat-and-mouse game.

Cut off from all friends and family, tried and convicted by the press, Vic must survive on his wits and cunning on the gritty streets of Phoenix, Arizona long enough to clear his name.

An interesting set up which has a young Hispanic man set up for a murder. It's almost like an episode of The Fugitive. By the time we reach the end, its still unclear as to what is exactly going on and in particular why. Our main character, Vicente has now thrown his lot in with a young teenage girl, who is connected to the murder of her grandmother's nurse, courtesy of some clever computer hacking.

Youthful mistakes, consequences, family, a murder and a patsy, events out of control, hacking, on the run, law enforcement, gangs....

Some books kind of frustrate me with the cliffhanger outcome, but on this occasion not so much. I'm just intrigued as to the under-lying story and the explanation for Vicente's and his young accomplice's situation.

Story - interesting; pace - steady; characters - sympathetic; setting - a plus; lots of tension and no little excitement; the odd moment when you are thinking ...... No Vicente, don't do that! And of course he does.  

Elude Part One is obviously followed by Part Two, which in turn is concluded (one hopes) by Part Three. Roll on Part Two!

4 from 5

Read - (listened to) March, 2021


Published - 2018

Page count - 109 (2 hrs 22 mins)

Source - Audible purchase

Format - Audible

4 comments:

  1. This does sound interesting, Col. Sometimes, some ambiguity in a story isn't a bad thing. It sets you thinking, and I like that. The setting and local culture 'fit,' too, which as you know is always a thing with me. Glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. Thanks Margot. I'll have to get back to episode 2 soon.

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  2. You seem to be enjoying a lot of Audible books lately, Col. Maybe someday I will try one.

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    1. Yes. I wasn't so keen initially, but I've gotten used to them and I like the format now.

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