A Decent, Feel-Good Book, But Not My Style
The Grave Man is the first
book in the Sam Prichard Thriller series, introducing us to Sam, a private
investigator and former police detective, now medically retired due to an
injury sustained on the job. We also
meet Indiana (Indie) Perkins, a computer hacker of extraordinary skill, who I
suspect is a recurring character. Her
skills have as much or more to do with Sam’s success as a PI as he does.
I have to admit I’m not a big fan of the
down-home, somewhat macho, and trite-heavy tone of the book. For example, early in chapter 1, Sam says,
“Excuse me, sir, I ain’t no politician!
I prefer to be honest and work for my livin!” The book plays on social stereotypes and
urban myths to a significant degree. And
what’s with all the exclamation points?
It seems like the characters are always shouting. The investigative procedures Sam uses are a
bit simplistic as well. If he thinks he
has the upper hand, he threatens the witness/suspect, who then gives up
everything he knows. If Sam doesn’t have
superior abilities, he tells the witness/suspect the gravity of the situation,
and he caves anyway. Don’t look to this
book for a good police procedural.
As characters, both Indie and Sam strain the
limits of believability. Indie, for example,
is the beautiful, single mother, educated at MIT but unable to find any job
except working the counter at Dairy Queen. Really? She’s also the perfect cook and housekeeper,
game for anything even when it involves having a gun put to her head. And it’s truly amazing how in a matter of
minutes, hacking primarily Facebook and email accounts, she can discover
information on crooks that have eluded law enforcement for years.
While it may sound like I hated the book, I
didn’t. As a somewhat simple, feel-good,
change of pace, it wasn’t bad. And if
the homey, slightly macho, too good to be true tone is what you seek, look no
further. You’ll find The Grave Man a worthwhile read.
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