ladyconsumer's Full Review: Kevin O'Brien - Final Breath
Final Breath is my first Kevin O'Brien novel, and I'm rather impressed. A reasonably intriguing premise, characters drawn with amazing depth, and a satisfying ending. No, it wasn't perfect, but it was pretty darn good.
Sydney Jordan is a reporter who focuses on "feel good" stories - spotlighting ordinary people who have performed heroic acts. Little known to her public, Sydney is a hero in her own right as she once saved a little boy from a raging fire.
But all of a sudden, people who have been featured on her show in the past, are turning up dead. Killed in ways that gruesomely tie in with their heroic acts. The killer taunts Sydney by sending her bizarre "souvenirs" from the killings. Worst of all - Sydney has a sneaky suspicion that the killer is saving the best for last, and that he's just waiting - to take Sydney's final breath.
Throughout the book, we are introduced to several characters, any one of whom could turn out to be the killer. I liked not knowing anything for sure, but enjoying the many possibilities.
There was amazingly detailed character development in this book. We really get to "know" Sydney, and her family. There are also two fairly major subplots. One involves Sydney's husband from whom she's recently separated. And the other involves some spirits haunting the house in which Sydney and her son reside. The first subplot supported the main story as it helped explain why Sydney's marriage fell apart. And also why she was reluctant to call her husband (a policeman) for help when things started really falling apart. The second subplot was definitely not essential, and I didn't love it. The book is over 400 pages; this entire storyline could have been cut, as far as I'm concerned. Still, it's a minor complaint as the main story was very captivating.
I have two other complaints with this book. One is that the pattern amongst the murders was so obvious, that I can't understand why it took Sydney so long to see it. For that matter, why don't the cops spot it? The victims all had something very clear in common - having been featured on Sydney's show. I would think that would stick out like a sore thumb. But no one notices it for the longest time. And even after Sydney finally notices it, she can't get anyone else to see it.
My other complaint has to do with Sydney's son. He's 12 years old. I mention his age, because if it weren't mentioned, you would swear he was 17 or older. He acts way too mature for his age, and far more intelligent and capable than a 12 year old should be. Furthermore, his capacity to lie and manipulate people goes far beyond his young age. He simply didn't come off as a 12 year old. The author should have made him at least 16, to have him do the things he did, in order to be believable.
Again, though, these are minor quibbles. In truth, I enjoyed this book immensely. Sydney is a strong, likable woman whose concern for others permeates all she does. I also liked her brother, a man who supports his sister and nephew no matter what. And I enjoyed the mystery. The basic "whodunit" where we occasionally get into the killer's mind, but don't know who he really is. I was definitely hooked, and I look forward to trying more from Kevin O'Brien.
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