Review: Suspenseful Political Thriller/Horror Novel with a Nice Noir Feel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2014
“The Master” is a political thriller/horror novel that feels a bit like “Heart of Darkness” meets James Bond—it’s an entertaining mix of adventure, action, and suspense that delves into the dark side of human nature and the men who stand up for good.The hero, Rex Stout, is an operative of a secret division of the F.B.I. called “The Talent”—officially it doesn’t exist, though its members are often involved in high-stakes, politically important missions. When Rex is told he’s been approved for a leave of absence, he doesn’t question it—and soon he’s on a boat headed for Brazil, investigating the mysterious Master and a poison that drives men to “murder madness.” Only the antidote keeps the madness at bay—and the Master ensures people remain his slaves by doling it out in a devious and selective fashion. Rex, determined to stop the enslavement of the South American continent, embarks on a one-man mission where he braves not only the evil of men, but also the dangers of the jungle and losing his heart to Pamela, the daughter of a politician.The prose has a nice noir feel to it, and Rex is the epitome of a 1940s hero—he’s brave, capable, calm under pressure, and willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure good prevails, whether that’s rafting down a piranha infested river or silencing a traitorous witness. I liked the South American setting—it lends a touch of danger and exoticism to the novel. Rex and Pamela also witness some truly chilling scenes at the residences they stumble across; it seems like almost everyone is in thrall to the Master, who casts a sinister and mysterious shadow over the novel as a whole. The jolly, dandified Riviera is also terrifying in his ruthlessness, and his amusement at his own ability to control of others is chilling. While I was a little confused at times over two characters named Rojas, it was only a small hiccup in my enjoyment of what is overall an entertaining story. I would recommend “The Master” to readers who enjoy suspense/thriller novels with elements of horror.