So I’m not going to lie, I may have picked up this book because he’s coming to the festival. But I put the second one on hold because I loved the first one and need to know where it’s going.
The main character is weird, super-smart, and hiding a part of himself from most of the world. When I described the book to someone who didn’t mind spoilers, they told me that he sounded like the TV character Dexter – crime solver but not a good guy.
With a personality that keeps him mostly isolated from his peers, Timothy Blake is a genius when it comes to analysing people – think Sherlock from Elementary – their gestures, what they don’t say. He works with the FBI on an under the table quid pro quo basis. When a 14 year old boy is kidnapped, the FBI bring Blake in to help them find the kidnapper.
I can’t really say more, without giving away major plot points, but while being a mostly unlikable person, (oddly enough, a number of the characters in this book are unlikeable) as a character I found him compelling and interesting. I have Hunter out now, and can’t wait to see how the new arrangement is going to work.
Trigger warnings: blood, guts, gore, language, adult themes.
Jack Heath is the author of thirty action-packed novels for adults and children including Hangman, Hunter and the Liars series. His books have been translated into six languages, shortlisted for numerous awards, adapted for film and optioned for TV. He lives in Canberra, Australia
Jack Heath will be appearing at the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival Readers and Writers event, Crime Fiction Down Under, unpacking why we love crime fiction so much on Saturday 19th October, 5pm at Paisley Stage, Napier. Tickets available from hbaf.co.nz
Reviewed by Li Ashfield
Catalogue link: Hangman
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