A deviant character you’ll love
Hangman — Jack Heath (Allen & Unwin, $16.99) reviewed by Louise Ward, Wardini Books
There is so much to say about this fast, fabulous crime novel, but there is also the risk of giving away too much. I shall try to convey its awesomeness without spoiling anything.
Timothy Blake is an intriguing character. He’s a consultant with the FBI (yes, this has been done before), he’s a maverick (ditto), he uses logic and problem solving after the Holmsian fashion (double ditto). There’s also something terrible, unsavoury and completely deviant about Timothy Blake that will have you wanting to hate him; but here’s the rub — you can’t, because he’s awesome.
The plot revolves around the kidnapping of a 14-year-old boy. Time is running out, leads aren’t going anywhere and Director Luzhin calls Blake, whom he loathes but needs in equal measure. They have a long standing agreement — Blake solves cases, and is given a ‘reward’ in return, something he desperately needs but really, really can’t show up on the FBI ‘books.’ There’s a wonderful moment when Blake notices (with that Sherlock-esque beady eye) that Director Luzhin has quietly placed the photo of his family on his desk face down for the duration of Blake’s visit; he values Blake’s contribution, but hates and fears him. Luzhin pairs Blake up with another police officer as he most certainly needs keeping an eye on, and this relationship becomes more complex than Blake had ever imagined it could. I’m not going to spoil that twist for you either!
The reason this novel is so utterly compelling is that Blake should be abhorrent to us, but he’s not. He’s smart, funny, heroic and moral, but…how do we forgive him his Achilles heel? If you don’t want any spoilers and just want to enjoy the brilliant rollercoaster ride of this book, don’t read any other reviews as they all spoil the first gut-lurching twist. Just read it. And the sequel, Hunter, is out too so you don’t have to wait for your second helping.
■ Jack Heath speaks at the Crime Fiction Down Under session of the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival Readers and Writers programme on Saturday, October 19, and will also play interactive Dungeons and Dragons at the Authors and Dragons session on Sunday, October 20. See www.hbaf.co.nz