First novels often have to be given some slack as the author learns his or her craft. Wile the overall story can be highly entertaining; one expects weakness in character development, plotting, or in a host of other areas. In this case, that expectation would be totally incorrect. This dark and very well written novel weaves a complex mystery all the way to a shocking end and works on all levels.
Chief Ben Truman runs the very small Police force in Versailles, Maine. He never intended to be in the Police Department let alone following his father’s legacy as Police Chief. Things lately haven’t been working out as planned. His mother has recently died from complications of Alzheimer’s and his Dad, showing signs of his own failing health, has moved in with Ben. Ben is coping with everything the best he can and his life seems to be getting increasingly complicated. Then he finds the body and from the first arrival of the big city cops, loses control of the situation.
The deceased is Robert Danzinger, a powerful District Attorney out of Boston. Among other cases, the deceased was going after Harold Braxton, head of the notorious Mission Posse gang operating out of Mission Felts in Boston. Ben manages to stay involved in the case and the manhunt begins as secrets from twenty years ago are slowly revealed in a hunt for justice.
This is a slow moving dark read that relies mostly on character development to move the story forward. Not only is the character of Ben Truman painstakingly developed, so too are the characters of most of the major as well as minor figures. As each level is built, contradictions begin that begin to cast doubt in the mind of the reader regarding everyone, including Ben.
Wile a couple of minor plot points are telegraphed early, for the most part, the author manages to confuse and misdirect the reader making the ending a staggering shock. Isn’t that the point of reading a mystery? Keep the reader guessing, tell one heck of a story with interesting characters, and then surprise the reader with an incredible ending. That is exactly what he does and why it makes this one well worth the read.
Book Facts:
Mission Flats
By William Landay
Delacorte Press
2003
Hardback
ISBN # 0-385-33614-4
Personal note: Having been recruited to help defend the crown against the movie folk, this is another entry on my part where I lend my few words in support. For more details take a look at Sleeper54’s challenge at: http://www.epinions.com/content_3600982148
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