Can I ask you a question, here, folks … ?
Can I … ?
Actully, no, forget I asked … !
I’m going to, anyway … !
Ever hear the phrase,
page-turner … ?You have … ?
Me too …
And I’ve always felt that — with rare exceptions — it’s not a term I apply to every book that I read.
Terry Pratchett’s usually an exception, for example: Thud, Nightwatch and Nation, in particular.
Oh, and Dune …
I really can’t be forgetting Frank Herbert’s Dune …
The point I’m trying to make, here, is simply that it’s not often I come across a page-turner.
I think I just have …
»»•««
Do you remember, a while back, I wrote rather extensively about Brentwood Library, and how it was going to have its hours adjusted … ?
As part of that, Debbi, bless ’er — writer, recovering lawyer, and one of my regular contributors — got in touch with Essex Library’s head, Susan Carragher, and offered to donate some copies of her first novel, Identity Crisis.
I went and ordered a copy, as soon as I got word they were in …
»»•««
I’m glad I did …
Identity Crisis sees Stephanie Ann “Sam” MacRæ — Maryland lawyer at arms — finding her working day starting with something nasty at her office: her friendly local plain-clothes police officer, Detective Derry … accompanied by the somewhat obstreperousª FBI agent, Special Agent Jergins.
Seems they want to ask a few questions about a former client of hers, a certain Melanie Hayes.
Who’s gone missing.
After her ex boyfriend — Melanie had filed a Domestic Abuse complaint against him, with Sam’s help — has been fatally shot …
On top of that … ?
Sam’s found out that there’s quite a few odd things happening with bank account: which is at the same bank where Melanie works …
And on top of that … ?
There’s a bunch of seriously unfriendly Mafiosi floating around in all of this, with threatening cars that make President Obama’s Beast look lightweight …
»»•««
Now, I was saying
page turner, earlier … ?Yes, I was, wasn’t I … ?
Now, I know that one could — arguably — make the point that Identity Crisis is possibly a little much like a latter day Miss Marple.
Possibly …
One could also argue that Identity Crisis is possibly even a touch tame*: especially me, having seen various shades of gruesome horror movie and crime thriller, over the years.
That’s also possible …
On the other hand, though … ?
On the other hand, though, Debbi, bless her, has written a bit of a corker … !
I actually found meself patiently going to bed and spending a long time reading Identity Crisis, night after night and chapter by chapter, wanting to know what happens in the next chapter, and how Sam either deals with a problem, finds information, or puts another next piece of the puzzle in place.
Identity Crisis is a rock solid read, literally a page-turner.
And what’s more … ?
It’s also an entertaining one, that’s built a nicely solid introduction to Sam McRæ and her world …
I want to know what happens next … !
Identity Crisis by Debbi Mack.
Lulu.com; July 2009ISBN: 978-0-557-08325-1Paul: “Identity Crisis? It’s a Keeper!” ★★★☆
* In spite of one use of the ‘C’ word: I’ve known people who have done serious time, for serious crime and are seriously nasty, and even they’ll raise an eyebrow at that one … ! (To be fair, though, Debbi DID tell me she was trying to drop the hint that these guys weren’t pleasant … )
ª I‘m almost tempted to say mildly snotty. Or even slightly tetchy …
Wow, Paul! Thank you so much! :-D
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