Suspense Magazine November 2012

The Casual Vacancy
By J.K. Rowlings
It’s as far from Harry Potter as a muggle is from a wizard, with not a scrap of magic or
a wand in sight. In fact, within the first two chapters the C-bomb and other choice curses
are dropped enough times that you’re left with no doubt that this is not for the prudish
and definitely not for children.
‘It’s a big book about a small town,’ says the publicity blurb and the small town
is Pagford where a much loved resident Barry Fairweather has died suddenly, leaving
behind a mourning family, and a town of people who either win or lose from his death.
You see, Barry was on the Parish council and his death leaves a ‘Casual Vacancy.’ There is much
at stake. The ‘big’ city of Yarvil has built a slum suburb, the Fields, on the boundaries of the peaceful,
quaint Pagford. Barry was fighting on the council to have the Fields become part of Pagford, which
would be a disaster in the minds of many residents.
As several townsfolk vie for his seat, we realize Pagford is a town divided by discrimination,
prejudice, and just plain nasty gossip. The teenage characters are no better with drug-taking, casual sex,
bullying, cyber-vandalism, and even skin-cutting as constant past-times.
But is it good That is the question on everyone’s lips.
This is a literary book written by an author who is undoubtedly the master of characterisation.
The characters, awful as they are, stand up from the pages like holograms as they suck you into this
world. It is a soap opera of the literary degree and if you enjoy eavesdropping and finding characters
that are more life-like than we care to know, then this book is for you. If you are looking for escapism
and a fantasy world where good wins over evil then “The Casual Vacancy” will disappoint. This is a
book by an assured author who wrote not for her fans but herself and who loves even the ugliest of her
characters. And I, personally, found much magic in that.
Reviewed by Susan May http://anadventureinreading.blogspot.com.au/ for Suspense Magazine
Dead Anyway
By Chris Knopf
“Dead Anyway” creeps up on you in the same way a stalker would: with meticulous
finesse. Chris Knopf has written a great revenge story and built it around a rather unusual
protagonist. The book begins with the killings—executions—of Arthur Cathcart and
his wife. What the killer doesn’t know is that Arthur didn’t die. He wakes from a coma
with one thing on his mind: revenge. The unusual part is that Arthur is not you’re hero
type. He is a forensic accountant who spends his days finding information for people
that no one else can find. In today-speak, he’s a computer nerd. You will find that his skill set is a huge
advantage when trying to find people who have no identity.
“Dead Anyway” is like a washer on spin cycle. It ramps up to speed quickly and doesn’t stop until it
spits every drop of emotion out of you. It is the perfect combination of stealth suspense and intellectual
intrigue. Chris Knopf has written a compelling story that will leave you thinking long after you have
finished.
Reviewed by JM LeDuc, author of “Cursed Days” published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of
Suspense Magazine
The Reckoning
By Jane Casey
From the prolific author who created “The Burning,” comes a new title that is extremely interesting.
As readers begin, they are greeted with a protagonist who is, quite literally, the ultimate ‘sicko’
hero—using his time and energy to get rid of child sex offenders in some of the most gruesome ways
possible; from fractured skulls and slit throats to a former ‘Man of God’ who is shot in the head.
Although this may seem ugly, the punishments seem to fit the crimes.
The police department is on his tail. Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan is placed on the case
while she recovers from her last triumph, spending her time moving into a new apartment and a
relationship with her colleague, Rob Langton…a partnership that may not be the best thing for her
right now. Maeve is partnered in this very difficult case with a new Detective Inspector by the name of
Josh Derwent. A complete chauvinist, Josh is difficult to get along with as he’s the ‘boss’ on the case and
never lets anyone forget it—especially Maeve.
Along comes John Skinner, a criminal who admits that it was he who ordered the killings of these
‘pedos,’ as the cops refer to them, because his daughter disappeared and he’s sure that one of them had
something to do with it. Instead of this being an open-and-shut case, more bodies begin to surface and
DNA appears that belongs to a girl who disappeared eighteen months earlier, opening yet another
door for the cops to walk through.
This is a very busy story. From a multitude of threats to the police and the criminals; to a stalker
with a camera and many questions involving the crimes that make the police start to doubt their own
co-workers, the action never ends.
Brilliantly written, Maeve Kerrigan’s third time in the spotlight keeps the reader guessing until the
last page. But even if you haven’t read the first two, this exciting story will certainly stand alone.
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “Tallent & Lowery - 13” for Suspense Magazine
Devil's Gate
By F.J. Lennon
If you’re a latecomer to the
Kane Pryce novels as I was, my
suggestion is run, don’t walk to
snatch up Lennon’s latest release,
“Devil’s Gate.” Rich with the history
of Pasadena’s famed Colorado
Street Bridge…also known as a
“Suicide Bridge,” the Devil’s Gate
Dam, the Los Angeles Rock-and-
Roll scene, and the mysterious
world of the paranormal, Lennon
creates a moving tale that is sure to
fit the needs of any reader’s tastes.
Kane Pryce is on the verge
of living a dream. It’s not just
his dream, but also the dream of
thousands of budding musicians
across the world. He’s a talented
guitarist with a real shot at the
big time and he’s stashed away his
aptly named Soul Trap—a device
he’s effectively used to do exactly
as it should. Kane’s focused on the
future: women, drugs, and Rockand-Roll.
He doesn’t want to look
back, well, not until he’s faced with
a challenge from his ex-cohort,
Ned Ross, and the prospect of a
small fortune from a billionairess.
They’re hired to spiritually clean
the Suicide Bridge.
Ned and Kane quickly find
that they’re outnumbered by
ghouls gone-astray and malicious
supernatural energy, and Mrs.
Barrington, their benefactor, hasn’t
been honest about her past or
the links to the bridge and dam’s
demonic past. They’ve bitten
off more than they—or frankly,
anyone—could chew and both
Kane and Ned are struggling
to juggle their separate worlds.
Besieged by the demonic presence
controlling the bridge, it’s soon
reaching beyond to attack Kane
when he should feel secure.
Nowhere is safe.
A thought-provoking plot,
“Devil’s Gate” is more than a battle
between good vs. evil. It’s first
class writing and the characters are
unforgettable beyond the last page,
as even the bridge and surrounding
area practically become characters
unto themselves. Lennon keeps
the door wide open for the
exceptional series and the in-depth
duo to continue forward for the
foreseeable future. I, for one, will
be waiting.
Reviewed by Shannon Raab with
Suspense Magazine
36 Suspense Magazine November 2012 / Vol. 040