Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Armadillo
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
William Boyd
Class/Genre: Mystery
Knopf, Oct 1998, $24.00, 338 pp.
It is a cold winter's day in London that is about to get much colder for claims adjuster Lorimer Black, who must feel that he is visiting the Twilight Zone. He goes to see his client, Mr. Dupree, only to find him hanging from the ceiling, an apparent suicide. After calling and dealing with Officer Rappaport of the police, all Lorimer can think of is what a way to start a day.
Not to long after that, an over-insured hotel burns down and his boss wants Lorimer to investigate. Frauds and scams seems to be the message of the day. However, life subsequently turns truly rotten for Lorimer. His car is vandalized and his father abruptly drops dead. Before he can even begin to mourn, he is fired. What's a man to do, when you suffer from a sleep disorder? Hopefully you get a dream-laden, good night's sleep.
If ARMADILLO sounds weird and a bit off centered, don't lose any sleep because that is what the novel is all about. In the capable hands of William Boyd that strangeness works, providing the reader with an ironic but extra dark look into London whose pendulum fails to swing back and forth. Lorimer is a wonderful character, whose world is falling apart in spite of his efforts to simply fit in with his peers. Readers who enjoy a dark intrigue need to try Mr. Boyd's latest novel because it is a winner.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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