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Critic's Corner
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"When is a serial killer not a serial killer? When are the hands on a clock not the hands on a clock? When you play the . . . "HOUR GAME." Baldacci is the author of nine previous consecutive New York Times bestsellers and #1 international bestsellers: "Absolute Power," "Total Control," "The Winner," "The Simple Truth," "Saving Faith," "Wish You Well," "Last Man Standing," "The Christmas Train," and "Split Second." With his books published in over 35 languages in more than 80 countries, and with nearly 40 million copies in print worldwide, Baldacci is one of the world's favorite storytellers. "The man in the rain slicker walked slightly bent over, his breathing labored and his body sweaty. The extra weight he was bearing, though not all that substantial, was awkwardly placed, and the terrain was uneven. It was never an easy thing to tote a dead body through the woods in the middle of the night. He shifted the corpse to his left shoulder and trudged on. The soles of his shoes bore no distinguishing marks; not that it would have mattered, since the rain quickly washed away any traces of footprints. He'd checked the forecast; the rain was why he was here. The inclement weather was the best friend he could ask for." So begins the "Hour Game." A killer disposing of his first victim creates just the dramatic image desired for a story of such complexity that the reader is thrown into a guessing game from this first page to the final resolution. The ensuing kills, each imitating methods of some of the most infamous killers of all time, are being replicated by a predator who stalks and strikes victims with a cunning brilliance. The location is a small town in Virginia. A town that has never before experienced such fear as now descends upon it. Each murder occurs without an evident motive or connection. Following each murder, the killer sends a cryptic note to the police. Finally, Todd Williams, the Chief of Police asks the help of the King and Maxwell Investigative Firm to assist in the investigation. Also on the scene is Chip Bailey, an FBI agent who is a friend of the wealthy Battle family. Michelle Maxwell, Ex-Secret Service Agent, and former Olympic rowing star craves the adrenaline highs of a challenge. She is an ace at martial-arts and as outgoing as her partner, Sean King is laid-back. King, also an ex-Secret Service Agent, prefers spending his leisure time hunting for appropriate wines to add to his collection, dabbling in owning the works of local artists, reading good books, as well as boating and fishing. Maxwell, ever the sports buff, is into intensive physical activities. While out jogging, Maxwell is the one who discovers the first body in the city park. Baldacci takes these characters Maxwell and King into the fray with such vivid descriptions into their personalities that they become as intimate as old friends. King the introspective man by nature likes to think things out thoroughly before taking action, and Maxwell tends to move at warp speed and let the pieces fall where they may. This partnership of supernova and steady glacier has somehow flourished. How a serial killer, with the police, the investigative team, and the FBI on his trail, can operate with such stealth seems impossible, yet he can, and he does. Bodies are falling all around the authorities. Even Sylvia Diaz, the deputy medical examiner cannot offer up one forensic clue. An exotic dancer dies first, then two teens parked on a lover's lane are gunned down in their car. A young lawyer, Diane Henson, goes next followed by wealthy and powerful Bobby Battle. Junior Deaver is slain while building his own new house, and on and on the merry-go-round goes until 10 people have been murdered. Each one is killed with a different method. No motive, no clues, no known relationship between the dead. King begins to think there is more than one killer. Could there be two? Three? At one time or another I had a list of nine possible suspects. Yet, reason dictated that there could not be that many killers; the notes proved that. Didn't they? As King says, "There seems to be an abundance of potential suspects and a dearth of clues." The author's dialogue is crisp, alternately serious and comical. He can make you smile at a crime scene with this back and forth repartee. At least Baldacci's clever dialogue offers the reader a few moments of respite amid a plot that runs full tilt from beginning to conclusion. Strange how some people can make light of deadly circumstances. Like coffin-humor—it works. Try as you might, this is one resolution you will not suspect. Baldacci's "Hour Game" is a stunner. It's enough to cause you to slap your own face and exclaim . . . "I never saw that coming." Copyright November 28, 2004 Patricia Ann Jones Save Up to 30% on this book at Amazon.com Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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Disclaimer
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