Review: Entertaining action thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 21, 2011
William F Brown gets the combination of fast paced action, danger, humour and romance just right in The Undertaker. Peter Talbott finds himself embroiled in a murderous conspiracy when he investigates a suspicious obituary that names he and his late wife as the unfortunate deceased buried in Ohio. What begins as a personal crusade to protect his wife's name spirals into a cat and mouse chase across the country when Peter discovers the shady links between a lawyer, town Sheriff, funeral home and medical clinic. The only way to save his own life is to prove that Tinkerton and his associates, which include the mob, have been murdering and burying citizens under fake names in Columbus. On the run, the way he inadvertently involves Sandy, a victims ex wife, in his escapade and receives a surprising assistance from a gold chain wearing mob assassin. With no real idea whom they can trust, Peter and Sandy can only hope that someone can help before they end up in lonely graves under a strangers tombstone.The Undertaker is a well plotted thriller that involves political intrigue, organised crime and multiple murders. Almost from the beginning the story races ahead at break neck speed as the protagonists are chased across America by some very determined villains. I really enjoyed the action but what made this so readable for me was the author's sense of humour that he infuses his characters with.Peter Talbott isn't a traditional action hero - he is a computer geek who has spent the better part of the three years since his wife's death from cancer, empty and alone. His bitterness leads him to take chances when most people would simply cut and run. Despite the physical nature of the novel, it's Peter's smarts more than his brawn that propels him out of the situations he finds himself in. He is a cavalier rather than brave but also quick thinking and resourceful.Sandy is similar which is why the two make a good pair. Their banter is fun and the chemistry between the two a nice touch. I especially enjoyed that of the leads, Sandy, with a black belt in karate, is the one who was the more physically capable of the two.The villains are suitably sociopathic - power hungry, corrupt officials and mobsters. The author successfully creates believable motivations and understandable pathos. Brown keeps the tension high by ensuring his characters are never sure who is one what side. I really enjoyed Gino who is both villian and friend.I only had two minor complaints about the story. The first is the Prologue where the tenses aren't quite right, confusing me momentarily. The second involves Peter's search at the library where a computer whiz doesn't once use a computer for information on what he is looking for. Neither issues were enough to quash my enjoyment of the novel but they stood out to me.This book is another example of independently published writing that deserves an audience. The Undertaker is an entertaining and exciting action thriller that I really enjoyed.