Joe Talbert is a college student with problems. He has a totally irresponsible, uncaring mother and an autistic brother whose care falls on Joe most of the time. Moreover, he is financially impoverished. To pay for his own way, he works as a bouncer in a club as well as attending school. He is also seriously attracted to his next-door neighbor Lila, who has her own problems from her life in the past.

When Joe is given a writing assignment that asks for an interview and the life-story of an old person for his Biography class, he attempts to get someone from a nursing home. The man he interviews is Carl Iverson, a Vietnam Vet dying of pancreatic cancer who has been a convicted rapist and murderer. Joe and Carl’s relationship becomes the central story in the novel, as Joe tries to find the real rapist and murderer before Carl dies.

This novel is a murder-mystery but a highly literary one with heart-thumping action in its later chapters. The novel ends with all ends tied, leaving the reader satisfied.

One thing that didn't make sense to me was the impulsive actions of supposedly smart people like Joe and Lila due to their overzealousness and disregard for danger, which under the circumstances, other people and even not so smart ones would expect. Other than that, their characterization was very good.

as a mystery and good literary story.

the characterization and the plot weaving.

read other books by this author.

is Allen Eskens. His other books are: The Guise of Another, The Heavens May Fall

It is a good mystery but also it is quite literary. The author's use of the language is excellent and the plot twists and turns unexpectedly.

There is quite a bit of violent action between Joe and the real killers. So be warned.

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Created Sep 26, 2016 at 2:44pm • Submit your own review...