I believe it to be naïve and foolhardy to wholeheartedly accept the ‘blurb’ on the flyleaf of a book especially when the
book is by a new writer. Its sole purpose is to entice the reader into taking the risk and buying the work. However, there is a very real danger that; whilst walking to the checkout, absorbing the emotive text and provocative cover, that you may just be reading the best bit and that the narrative contained within the covers will leave you bitterly disappointed.
Therefore, as a confirmed book-reader, my advice is always to read at least the first few paragraphs or the first chapter, if you can get away with it. If those first pages don’t grab you; put it back on shelf and move on. In my ever-increasing
search for new authors I admit that I have come across some truly toe-curling lemons. I am very happy to say that this first book by Nick Stone is not among them and is possibly one of the best finds of the year so far.
As is my habit, and much to the annoyance of the assistant, I stood in the shop and read the first chapter. I found myself instantly transported into the dark and desperate
life of the hero; Max Mingus. I really did not want to tear my eyes away from the bewitching narrative to carry out the mundane task of paying for the book, having to hand it over for it to be unceremoniously stuffed into a plastic bag was irritating in the extreme, but suffer it I did and immediately made my home to indulge in several hours of the most mesmerising characterisation, dynamic storytelling and compelling plotline to be found among the new authors appearing on the shelves.
Max is the haunted, ex-cop, ex-PI and now ex-con hero of the tale. In an effort to get his train-wreck of a life back on track, he accepts a job from the mysterious billionaire; Allain Carver. But Max isn’t the first person to be approached for this particular task and his predecessors appear to have suffered various disturbing ‘accidents’ in the course of their failure to complete their assignment; to find Carvers missing son ‘Charlie.’
Perturbed but not deterred by the ultimate ends of the men previously hired for the search, Max travels to Haiti to pick up the cold trail on the beautiful but troubled island, which also plays host to the stronghold of the mighty Carver empire.
His search soon reveals a link to a serial killer/kidnapper known only as ‘Mr Clarinet.’ As Max continues, his investigation takes many gut-wrenching, roller-coaster twists and turns through the stark, beautiful and simultaneously deprived island.
On several occasions I thought I had worked out where the story would take Max. Each time I was proved wrong as the layers of the story and its people were revealed to me. The setting alone is mystifying and Mr Stone is a master of description; consistently transporting me from dusty roads, dingy bars, and stinking ghettos to the lush and privileged life of the Carver household.
The solution of the story leaves no annoying loose ends, no questions unanswered but I was left with a deep and abiding need to read more by this wonderfully talented author.