Review: A THRILLER..? MUCH, MUCH MORE THAN THAT...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 5, 2014
A woman from Somalia detonates a bomb on a commuter train heading into New York...But this is no run-of-the-mill thriller... We then meet Tim, the central character, who visits a bookshop in New Hampshire, in particular a mysterious room upstairs containing books written by a reclusive author, Clayton Batar. Episodes described in these books seem then to transpire in reality, as, for example, various murders and catastrophes, let alone terrorist outrages in New York. Tim steps into one particular story involving human trafficking, brothels, gangsters and corrupt officials in order to try to prevent the murderous and cataclysmic outcome predicted there. This involves trips to Turkey and Thailand, and a growing love affair with Yin, a Chinese woman. This is an incredibly original and imaginative plot, tightly executed and expressed.  Tim and Yin's involvement in attempting to prevent the scenarios foretold in these books leads them on to myriad adventures and situations, even to trying to find the author himself.  I won't give away any more of this tremendous plot. Check out this innovative, clever tale, you'll be constantly surprised and energized by its twists and turns, and its sheer, jaw-dropping originality. I look forward to reading even more of Dennis Butler's work. A great talent.