Review: The Face of Nefarious
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2013
Behind the amicable, genuine appearance of Dennis Rask is an insidious force. Tucker has crafted the perfect psycho. With his easy and trustworthy ways, Rask ingratiates himself. He works his way into families, families riddled with their own insecurities and contradictions, and then he begins. Although the actions of Rask are deplorable, he is not merely a one-dimensional character. He is intricate and dynamic, a product of his own strained familial relations, and master of his lethal game. His adeptness at winning over the mom and children is almost admirable, even though his intent could not be more dark. Juxtaposed with the cunning Rask is the equally sharp Detective Bostik. Bostik is appalled and disgusted by the ways of the psychopath, and catching this sicko becomes the engrossing mainstay of the novel--despite a dearth of evidence. Although the novel traces the investigation into the dubious suicides and deaths of the Connors, I found Rask and Bostick to be the most compelling. Be warned: lewdness, perversion and horrid mutilation pervade. However, the violence and sex serve their purpose. They are not mindlessly gratuitous--they are there for a reason. And more likely than not, they'll keep the pages turning. That is, if you can stomach the journey...