Eight stars
Linwood Barclay brings another thought-provoking novel to the table for the curious reader. Always able to dig into a topic, Barclay keeps the reader in the thick of things as he weaves a chilling tale about sacrifice and the pitfalls of being selfless. Barclay has a great ability to rise above the fray to shock and surprise. Another great piece that had me reading well into the night.
Richard Boyle thought this would be another Monday morning at school. While teaching high school English, Richard is forced to deal with a former student. With a bomb strapped to his chest, Mark LeDrew, hopes to right a wrong and harm some people at school, but things soon go sideways and Richard Boyle is able to prove himself a hero after the explosion. Only LeDrew perishes in the aftermath.
Richard is able to spend a little time in the spotlight, but that leaves the door open for a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The lies and abuse accusations spiral out of control, forcing many to wonder if Richard is the hero he appeared to be that day, or if he has deep secrets that could destroy him. As Richard takes time digging into the accusations the blackmail presents, he discovers that there is a connection to the blackmailer, Mark LeDrew, and a collection of local drug dealers. The mystery deepens and Richard can only wonder why he's caught in the web.
As Richard seeks to clear his name, he discovers that not everyone is ready to simply take his word for it. He must strive to get to the truth, even if it means scorning those he thought he could trust. The realisation that everyone's secrets could be weaponised has Richard wondering who he can trust to clear his name. All this came to pass simply because he tried to do a good deed! A great novel in which Barclay forces the reader to self-reflect on their own selfless acts.
Whenever I read something by Linwood Barclay, I can be sure that I'll end up hooked after the first few chapters. He has a way of leading the reader along a path, charging his stories with suspense and some psychological moments. In a narrative that points in a specific direction, Barclay is able to divert the reader's attention long enough to change direction and prove just as chilling. By the time the story's momentum is maximised, the reader is fully committed and finds there is no way out. Great characters emerge, helping to add something else to his stories. That these are standalone novels makes character development all the more important.
In what looks to be a story about a man's personal sacrifice, things turn to his being smeared for an assault in the past. There are many moments of plot development that Barclay shapes and utilises to his advantage. The surprises and quick twists keep the story on edge and provide the reader with something they can enjoy, unable to guess what awaits them around the corner. I have long enjoyed Linwood Barclay's writing and this novel did nothing but support that sentiment!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another story that leaves it all on the field.
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